Katie’s November Read for Moms: Big Fish

You might remember BIG FISH as a BIG movie, but did you know it was based on a book? In looking for an enjoyable November read, Katie reconnected with the fantastic story of Edward Bloom in the pages of the original book, and found a new favorite read to share with you!

Hey, mamas! How are you all doing? Let’s just take a quick second to appreciate how much we’ve accomplished in these past few months.

We’ve gotten our kids back in the swing of the school year, we’ve bought or borrowed or made Halloween costumes, we’ve helped our littles learn songs for school concerts or speeches for Thanksgiving plays. On top of all the kid-centered business, we’ve kept ourselves (relatively) clean and presentable, rocked our day jobs (whether paid or unpaid), and managed to feed ourselves and our families. Way to go, us!!!

As I prepare for the madness and joy of the holiday season, I didn’t have it in me to read and review a 400 page novel. Perhaps you are a bit pressed for time, as well. But I DID discover what has become a new favorite book.

Anyone remember a movie from 2003 called Big Fish?

It was a quirky movie starring Ewan McGregor. I recently re-watched it with my kiddos and found it just as delightful almost 20 years later. This movie just FEELS like a book. It’s full of tall tales with an unlikely hero at its core. So I wasn’t entirely surprised when I came across the book BIG FISH, written by Daniel Wallace, perched discreetly next to Ruth Ware’s fiction at my library. (You may remember Ruth Ware as the author of THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10, a recently reviewed title at Katie’s Corner.)

The book was slight — a thin volume with smaller-than-usual dimensions, about the size of a 5×7 photograph. From the moment I cracked the cover, a smile spread across my face. I read the first half of the book while sitting at a restaurant all by my lonesome (how glorious for a mother of five!). Other than obligatory chewing and sipping that accompany every meal, the smile did not leave my face.

The jacket copy does an excellent job of conveying the flavor of the story. “In his prime, Edward Bloom was an extraordinary man. He could outrun anybody. He never missed a day of school. He saved lives and tamed giants. Animals loved him, people loved him, women loved him. He knew more jokes than any man alive.

“At least that’s what he told his son, William. But now Edward Bloom is dying, and William wants desperately to know the truth about his elusive father – this indefatigable teller of tall tales – before it’s too late.”

There are many reasons I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face while reading (except for the odd moment here or there when I paused to wipe a tear).

Because the story is about a storyteller, it gave me the feeling of spending time with an old friend, catching up on good times. Because the story is about an adult child trying to come to grips with his relationship with his ailing father, I found myself pondering the impact my own larger-than-life dad has had on my life. Because Edward Bloom is an accomplished joke-teller, I had the joy of laughing out loud as I turned the pages.

I’m truly delighted to recommend this book to you. After returning BIG FISH to the library, I purchased a copy to have and to hold, in sickness and in health from this day forward. I know I’ll revisit it in years to come, whenever I need a pick me up, a pleasant escape, or a good laugh. Like an old friend, it will be there when I need it. And that’s what the best books become…friends.