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Big Fish

3.56 of 5 stars 3.56 · rating details · 6,035 ratings · 587 reviews

He could outrun anybody, and he never missed a day of school. He saved lives, tamed giants. Animals loved him. People loved him. Women loved him (and he loved them back). And he knew more jokes than any man alive.

Now, as he lies dying, Edward Bloom can't seem to stop telling jokes -or the tall tales that have made him, in his son's eyes, an extraordinary man. Big Fish is t...more

Paperback, 192 pages

Published 2004 by Pocket (first published October 1st 1998)

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Nov 02, 2011 K.D. Oliveros rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-novel, family-drama

On the day I was born, there was a big typhoon. The water was seeping through the ceiling of the hospital room and there was a dripping pan catching the falling raindrops beside my mama’s bed. I was the youngest in the family and my papa did not bother to wait and see me right after I was born. I guess he was no longer excited to see another mouth to feed in addition to my two older brothers and a sister. Three days after my mama’s caesarian operation, my papa picked us up but the streets were s...more

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May 03, 2012 Gavin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: literary

You all probably remember the fantastically cheesy film Big Fish directed by Tim Burton. For me, it was pure visual and storytelling enjoyment.

But what you may not realize is that BIG FISH the novel towers over the movie. When I first bought a copy of this, just before they began releasing the movie coast-to-coast in 2003, I remember reading the back cover and thinking to myself: “Huh, a book about a man who doesn’t really know who his father is…how mundane.” O, how silly my thoughts were—this...more You all probably remember the fantastically cheesy film Big Fish directed by Tim Burton. For me, it was pure visual and storytelling enjoyment.

But what you may not realize is that BIG FISH the novel towers over the movie. When I first bought a copy of this, just before they began releasing the movie coast-to-coast in 2003, I remember reading the back cover and thinking to myself: “Huh, a book about a man who doesn’t really know who his father is…how mundane.” O, how silly my thoughts were—this story is anything but mundane.

This is a tragic story of not really knowing a father, but it is so much more. Let me explain.

BIG FISH is a complex story about family, self, emotional certitude, and conflict between a son and father told through Tall Tales, snippets and allusions to the THE ODYSSEY and pinches of Joyce’s ULYSSES. If that doesn’t arouse some interest, you may be dead.

The story is simple: Edward Bloom is dying, and his son, William Bloom, wants to know the truth of who his father really was as a person. But Edward is unwilling to give up anything easily, and William is determined to think that his father is an irresponsible liar that only told exaggerated stories of his own life.

In an easygoing storytelling voice, William Bloom pieces together who is father was as a person, but, more importantly, he also pieces together who his father was a father. Through fantastic environments the reader is navigated through adventures both light and dark to the truth. Stories of giants and witches and obscure poets and lost towns and strange circuses allude to who, and what, Edward Bloom was. But, like most truths, ascertaining fact from fiction is a troublesome endeavor.

I cannot think of a better story that exemplifies the strange relationship between a father and his son. Personally, I could relate to William’s angst of not really knowing his father; and this personal relationship to the story made it all the more powerful. I mean, c’mon, who really knows their parents? As children our parents are super heroes or villains, as teenagers they are a footnote in our lives. It is not until adulthood that we begin to understand that our parents had lives and dreams, fears and recourses or events that made them into the people they are. As a father myself, I am often caught wondering what my son and daughter will think of me as they grow older. What stories will be true? What ones will be fabrications of distorted memories? What imprints have I given them?

In the end, does it matter? I can’t say. But I hope they have stories of me that they will tell their children, as I have shared stories of my father to them.

HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION
(less)

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Jul 04, 2008 Jeffrey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: popular-fiction

Please, read this book. Once in a while, like The Five People You Meet in Heaven, comes a book that is original, full of wonder, Chronicle of Narneish, so full of meaning and beauty that all must buy it, read it, and pass it on. This is perfection. Oh, also see the Tim Burton version of this. As a matter of fact, just see all of Burton's movies. How else to do such a story? Great!

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Dec 28, 2012 Lori Anderson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, fantasy

****edit... recently watched the movie, something I rarely do, and bawled my eyes out. ****

When I read "Mr Sebastian and the Negro Magician" (check out my review), I knew I needed to read everything Daniel Wallace had written. "Big Fish" is a thin book, which is my only complaint -- I just wanted his stories to go on and on.

While I didn't like this book as well as "Mr Sebastian", I still read it all in one sitting and loved how Wallace spins a story. He has a magical imagination, and an often ly...more

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Jul 24, 2008 Krista added it

Somewhere along the line, I gained the impression that this book had whole chapters of content I'd be more comfortable skipping. As it turned out, there was nothing too bad.

It was, however, pretty dang scattered, and I might not have had the patience for it if I hadn't already seen the movie.

Really, I think I liked the movie better. I like the addition of a plot, and though maybe that weakens the theme of immortality and understanding through stories however truthful, I'll take that sacrifice. P...more

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Dec 07, 2008 Abby marked it as to-read

I think the guy who plays the main character in this movie is attractive, but I forgot his name. If that's not a good reason to read the book, then I don't know what is.

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Apr 14, 2008 Phyllis rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Sue

Recommended to Phyllis by: Dodie

While I was reading this book, I kept wondering if I liked it. It seems the more I read, the better it was, especially
at the end, which made me smile. It wasn't until the end
of the book, that it made sense in it's entirity. I loved
the ending in this book. All the mythology and exaggeration,
made me question the value of the story, at first I only
seemed to attend to the father/son conversations that I felt
were real and poignant. Little by little, I started to appreciate Wallace's use of mythology...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Susan Tunis rated it 5 of 5 stars

My father is a fish

My best friend is a little obsessive about reading the novel before seeing the film. Not so, me. I’m a bit more laissez faire in these matters. I saw and thoroughly enjoyed Tim Burton’s 2003 adaptation of Big Fish, and didn’t think too much more about it. Fast forward a decade, and I hear that a major, Broadway-bound musical is on the way. Now I know it’s time to return to the source material.

In the past, it has occurred to me that I have an overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I’m...more My father is a fish

My best friend is a little obsessive about reading the novel before seeing the film. Not so, me. I’m a bit more laissez faire in these matters. I saw and thoroughly enjoyed Tim Burton’s 2003 adaptation of Big Fish, and didn’t think too much more about it. Fast forward a decade, and I hear that a major, Broadway-bound musical is on the way. Now I know it’s time to return to the source material.

In the past, it has occurred to me that I have an overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I’m a middle-aged woman, for God’s sake. But I love this sort of light, heart-warming, and above all whimsical tale. Daniel Wallace’s debut novel charmed my socks right off! It is, first and foremost, a tale of paternal and filial love. The brief novel is told through the eyes of son William as he watches—four separate times—his father Edward dying. It doesn’t sound like an upper, I know, but Edward Bloom is a larger-than-life character.

All his life, Edward was a teller of jokes and tall tales. He’s the sort of character who charms everyone around him. And yet, as much as his father has always made him laugh, William feels that all the jokes and stories have kept him at arm’s length, and that he’s never really gotten to know his father. Now in these final hours, he seeks a deeper connection—all while a greatest hits montage of tall tales recounts Edward’s extraordinary, eventful, and one might even say mythic, life. Edward confesses to his son, “I wanted to be a great man… Can you believe it? I thought it was my destiny. A big fish in a big pond.” Later William acknowledges, “He’s just being him, something he can’t not be. Beneath one façade there’s another façade, and another. And beneath that, the aching dark place, his life.” By the end, however, each man gets what it is he needs:

“His illness was his ticket to a better place. I know this now. Still, it was the best thing that could have happened to us, this final journey. Well, maybe not the best thing, but a good thing, all things considered. “

In Wallace’s novel, it’s the journey, not the destination. The folksy fables that make up Edward’s life are as colorful and imaginative as anything you could wish for, and full of humor. And Daniel Wallace’s narrative voice is distinctive, as well as distinctly Southern. He has a wonderful, playful way with language, as with this passage: “This is what is meant by last words. They are keys to unlock the afterlife. They’re not last words, but passwords, and as soon as they are spoken you can go.” While Edward is more legend than man, it is William who is the emotional core of the novel. He’s what keeps the story grounded and creates resonance with readers. Everyone knows what it is to love (and feel frustrated by) a parent, and so the emotion William experiences is universal.

This was a fantastic introduction (15 years late) to a new novelist. I can’t wait for a chance to see the musical! It will be magical on the stage. It’s been years since I’ve seen the film, but Burton did a lovely adaptation. Many of the stories from the novel are recreated faithfully. Others are altered or created from scratch in the same voice. I was delighted to discover in the book passages that never made it into the film as well. Commenting on adaptation on his blog, Wallace noted that Big Fish was now a book, a movie, and a musical. He offered one final adaptation. Big Fish, the haiku:

He hides behind lies
and charm. I do not know him.
My father is a fish.(less)

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Mar 14, 2013 Paola (A Novel Idea) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Originally posted at A Novel Idea Reviews

Rating: 5/5

Tall tales and myths of epic proportions have always surrounded Edward Bloom. Fables of his exploits throughout life have been more familiar to his son William than he has been himself, and now that he is dying, Will struggles to understand the man he calls his father. Did he really build a snowman over eighteen feet tall? Did he really charm everyone he met, with his personality that no one could deny? Was there really a two-headed geisha in J...more Originally posted at A Novel Idea Reviews

Rating: 5/5

Tall tales and myths of epic proportions have always surrounded Edward Bloom. Fables of his exploits throughout life have been more familiar to his son William than he has been himself, and now that he is dying, Will struggles to understand the man he calls his father. Did he really build a snowman over eighteen feet tall? Did he really charm everyone he met, with his personality that no one could deny? Was there really a two-headed geisha in Japan who poured him tea with perfect elegance and grace? What about the town that he bought because he loved its simplicity and beauty? Could his father really outrun even the wind? Did he really meet a mermaid whose life he saved, and who later saved him? Was Edward Bloom’s life truly a fairytale…or was the fairytale Edward Bloom himself?

This book was made into a movie a few years back, starring Ewan McGregor, and I remembered how much I enjoyed the movie when I bought the novel. I didn’t get to read it until now, largely because I forgot I even had it, but I’m glad I found it again on my shelf. Told in a series of (seemingly) tall tales about Edward Bloom through the eyes of the son who grew up barely knowing him, the book evokes a sort of timeless feeling; the pictures that it paints are those of an era that ended, that we still miss, that we see in our mind’s eye and imagine to be “the good old days.” I was submerged in the succession of stories about a man so amazing, so unbelievably talented and lucky and special, that even the most farfetched things could have been truth. You really can’t sort it out, after a while. I know I probably should’ve been paying attention, reading between the lines, that sort of thing…but I really didn’t want to. I couldn’t bear to. This is a portrait of a man who wanted to be great, who wanted deep down for his son to believe that his father was a great man, who beat impossible odds and who lived a miracle, despite the shortcomings that he may have tried to hide behind jokes and bedtime stories. And you know what? I think he really did.(less)

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Dec 27, 2012 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

My Amazon review: Many reviewers, and even the Reader's Guide in Big Fish, speak about its important mythical parallels and insight to father/son relationships. There is no doubt that both of these make Big Fish an incredibly intricate novel.

But Wallace's ability to write in the way we remember is what makes Big Fish a great read. Although we generally follow his tale of William Bloom's father, Edward Bloom, in chronological order, it is not necessarily so. The reader is never quite sure when a...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Kaitlin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Big Fish was a book that I had never heard of before reading it, resulting in me not knowing what to expect. It turns out that Big Fish is definitely on my "will read again" list due to the uniqueness and light-heartning effect that it had on me while reading. I had never read a book that consisted of short tales (true and untrue) that evolved into a larger story in the end. The shortness and creativity of each chapter really gave me the sense that I was being read the stories aloud, and that I...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Ariel rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the chronicle of an extraordinary man, who did extraordinary things. Edward Bloom’s son, William remembers his father’s adventurous tales, impossible stories and hilarious jokes. Although, the only one enjoying them is Edward, even on his death bed he can’t hold back his optimistic outlook on life. William knows his father is well loved, well respected and for all intents and purposes, special. But William has never understood his father and in turn has never felt his father understood h...more This is the chronicle of an extraordinary man, who did extraordinary things. Edward Bloom’s son, William remembers his father’s adventurous tales, impossible stories and hilarious jokes. Although, the only one enjoying them is Edward, even on his death bed he can’t hold back his optimistic outlook on life. William knows his father is well loved, well respected and for all intents and purposes, special. But William has never understood his father and in turn has never felt his father understood him. This stories means to separate the man from the myth, the fact from the fabrication, and help a father a son reunite before it’s too late. Although Edward might say, “It’s never too late.”
It’s hard to tell when reading big fish if William created the myths from the stories or if Edward created the stories to be myths. It’s also impossible to determine what is true and what is exaggerated. This confusion and mixed signals gives the story its edge. Who damaged the relationship? Was it father or son?
This book also brings up an interesting discussion about the male role. For me, it brought to light the question of the absentee father. What makes an absentee father and what doesn’t? Maybe I misread some signs, but I feel like Edward wasn’t. Yes, he was gone a lot and yes, he did things he shouldn’t, but he was there. He worked to provide, the traditional role of a man. Women have a lot of pressure on them to be a mother, a career woman, a housewife. This dynamic is changing but it also gets a lot of attention. The pressure on a man, although more subtle, doesn’t acquire the same kind of consideration.
My husband worked in camp for the first three years of our relationship. He missed many birthdays: mine, the kids, even his own. He’s missed Thanksgivings, Valentine’s Days and Halloweens. He’s been absent for so many things, and I know it hurt him, it was hard for everyone. Does that make him an absent father? Is he labeled as such for doing something he has been programmed for centuries to do? Something not all men are capable of doing so well; providing. He sacrifices things for his family, and honestly, I applaud him for it. He’s amazing. No, I don’t think it makes him an absentee. And I don’t think we should be quick to label Edward Bloom as an absentee either, although that’s how he is portrayed in the book.
William doesn’t understand his father, but William’s mother sure does, which I don’t believe he understands either. It’s a shame it took Edwards death for William to finally try to understand his father’s point of view and his adventures in life. To finally understand the man and the myth, separate and together.
As a side note: I enjoyed the movie more than the book. I know, I know, when is a movie ever better than the book? Well, I admit not often. But I felt it flowed easier, had a stronger plot line, and let’s face it, the visual aspect was incredible.

If you want to read more of my reviews visit my blog at www.whimsicalreader.com (less)

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Jun 30, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Big Fish is how son saw Dad
===============================
Big Fish by Daniel Wallace is an episodic but charming memoir of how a son sees his semi-mythical dad. The book was made into a Columbia Pictures movie by Tim Burton a while back, with Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney and Jessica Lange.
Reading this book inspired me to write my own Father's Day tribute, so it must have a certain true-to-life quality in spite of the obvious “lies” told about the author's dad. Lies such as, he tamed a giant....more

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Jun 20, 2012 Jeanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a short little book but powerful nonetheless. William Bloom is at the bedside of his dying father, a father who wasn't home much and who seemed to hide his true self through telling jokes and tall tales. William desperately wants to "know" his father, to get past the stories and discover the real person. Instead, up to the end, his father uses humor and evasion to avoid establishing a deeper relationship. The book mainly consists of the amazing and unbelievable stories Edward has created...more

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May 13, 2012 Maria rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fairytale

I had to read this book for a class. Having already seen the movie a number of times and being quite taken aback by it's refreshing visuals and unique story line I was quite excited to be given the chance to report on this story. And boy was I wrong.

I feel like part of the disappointment I've suffered is partly my fault, because I had to pause my reading of The Virgin Suicides to start this book. Comparing Jeffrey Eugenides to Daniel Wallace is completely unfair (although now that I'm thinking...more

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Oct 08, 2011 Lana Drown rated it 2 of 5 stars

Si antes era fan de Tim Burton, tras haber leído este libro, lo soy aún más. Me cuesta creer que una de mis películas favoritas, Big Fish, haya salido de este libro tan...¿frío? La verdad es que no encuentro la palabra adecuada para definirlo, a ver si consigo explicarlo a medida que escribo este comentario, que más que una reseña del libro en sí será una comparativa entre la obra original y el filme. Eso sí, si no has visto la adaptación cinematográfica y tienes intención de verla, te recomiend...more Si antes era fan de Tim Burton, tras haber leído este libro, lo soy aún más. Me cuesta creer que una de mis películas favoritas, Big Fish, haya salido de este libro tan...¿frío? La verdad es que no encuentro la palabra adecuada para definirlo, a ver si consigo explicarlo a medida que escribo este comentario, que más que una reseña del libro en sí será una comparativa entre la obra original y el filme. Eso sí, si no has visto la adaptación cinematográfica y tienes intención de verla, te recomiendo que no sigas leyendo.

Big Fish, la película, me cautivó de la cabeza a los pies. Su magia, su calor y su mensaje me impresionaron mucho. Años después, me enteré de que estaba basada en un libro, y la verdad es que llevaba queriendo leerlo desde entonces, pero fue el mes pasado cuando me tropecé con él en la biblioteca por puro azar, y me lo llevé.

¡Qué decepción! Está claro que la película salió de este libro porque la historia es más o menos la misma, pero sus connotaciones son totalmente diferentes y, como consecuencia, también lo son las emociones que transmite.

Daniel Wallace ha conseguido que el lector sienta totalmente ajenos a los personajes de la historia, todo lo contrario a lo que consigue Burton con su adaptación. Y creo que esa es la principal diferencia entre los dos: Mientras en la película, Edward Bloom (el padre) se muestra como una persona que, aunque ha pasado tiempo fuera de casa, ha ayudado a mucha gente y adora a su mujer y a su hijo a pesar de sus ausencias, en el libro cae muy antipático: no sólo queda más patente que los ha abandonado, sino que además, en una de sus aventuras se llega a enamorar de otra mujer, y sólo vuelve a casa porque no le queda más remedio, al quedar la amante aislada por una ciénaga que rodea su casa (dicho así, suena un poco raro pero ya conocéis los elementos fantásticos de esta historia). Luego, la reacción del hijo sacando al padre del hospital en plan reconciliación para llevarlo al lago no se comprende en el libro, no hay transición en los sentimientos del hijo, no se explica por qué empieza a comprender a su padre. Y por último, ¡qué final tan frío! En la película es la parte más emocionante, porque se demuestra que las historias del padre son reales. Pero en el libro, cuando Will llega al lago, allí no hay ni dios despidiéndose. ¿Qué final tan soso es ese? De verdad que no me gustó nada...

En fin, que en esta ocasión, y en mi opinión, la película supera con creces al libro, algo que sólo me había pasado antes con Leyendas de Otoño y su adaptación al cine: Leyendas de pasión. Y una vez más, se me rompe el mito de que siempre el libro es mejor que la película. ¿A alguien le ha pasado esto con algún libro y su correspondiente adaptación cinematográfica? (less)

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Aug 16, 2011 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. This was a fascinating read full of wonder and symbolism. This was also made into a movie, which I think both the book and movie complete each other very well. The movie was directed by Tim Burton who always takes the quirky and eccentric views of life-which I enjoy! Entertaining and mythical.

In Big Fish, Daniel Wallace angles in search of a father and hooks instead a fictional debut as winning as any this year. From his son's standpoint, Edward Bloom leaves much to be desired. He was...more

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Aug 12, 2011 Craig rated it 3 of 5 stars

It seems I'm on a "book-to-movie" kick. There are a few movies that I loved so much that I decided I had to read the book, and Big Fish is wholeheartedly one of them. Honestly, I was a bit surprised that such a big movie came from such a small book...

Mostly the structure is just a series of stories about the life of Edward Bloom - and of course, when I say stories, I really mean legends. William doesn't really know what's "real" about his father; but then again, the whole point is that what's "...more

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Jun 11, 2011 Skipper Ritchotte rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: escapist, fantasy, humor, owned

Seems that the book gets great ratings, but mostly only if the reader hasn't seen the Tim Burton movie first. I've seen the movie, but so long ago that it didn't color my feelings too much. The book may be at odds with today's readers, used to long books with long chapters. Many chapters in the book are only two or three pages--the author uses small sentences to large effect. The comes off more folksie and down-to-earth than the movie, which dove unabashedly into the fable-like stories relayed b...more

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Mar 10, 2011 Tammy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My daughter was given an assignment for school - read a book that has been made into a movie, watch the movie, and write a compare and contrast paper. When she showed me the list of books-to-movies she was to choose from, I am embarrassed to admit that my response was, "Big Fish is one of my favorite movies! I recall leaving the theater and turning to your father and saying, "every movie should be this movie". I had no idea it was a book first."

I had no idea.

How unlucky for me!

But now I know.

Thi...more

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Feb 01, 2011 Deborah Milagros rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: english

This book contains the story of a working father (Edward Bloom) trying to make ends meat for his family, but at the same time he tries to stay true to his dreams. He tries to connect with his son (William Bloom) using great stories with amazing characters of inexplicable complexion. It is difficult to find out if he really met these characters during his business travels or not.

Daniel Wallace had the ability to develop each character in an unusual way. For him, the physical aspect of the charact...more

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Jan 31, 2009 Amanda rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 05, 2013 Kerri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, a-life-aquatic

I watched this movie long before I even knew the story was first a book, and while it's rare for me to enjoy the cinematic version of anything more than the original literary version, this is one such occasion. To clarify: The book is lovely. Stunning in places, even. Definitely worth reading if you haven't. To me it just didn't finish as strongly as it began, and Wallace's words were rarely as visually striking as I anticipated they would be, based solely on my memories of the movie's bright an...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Hunter B rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a report on a fiction book on the edge of non-fiction the Big Fish written by Daniel Wallace. This book is about a relationship between a father and son trying to pull back together a relationship that has drifted off due to the fulfilling of a man’s dreams and imagination. The dialog is constantly switching between flashbacks and present time which adds some confusion but if you can keep up with the constant change it makes the story more enjoyable. This story is about a father telling...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Wei Cho rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: philosophical

Hm, this is a dilemma. I don't know quite how to classify this book (sub genre-wise). It has elements of fantasy, of young adult, and of realism. Dunno, I guess I just won't write anything.

This story was tender and a bit despairing. For some reason, I've been scavenging for stories about someone's journey or someone's story. I yearn for history and something else, like the search for greatness, for happiness, for excitement, and for passion. This book was about the fantastical journey of a man,...more

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Aug 28, 2012 Ileen rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, scrittori-statunitensi

Anni fa vidi per caso il film di Tim Burton. Ne rimasi stregata e con grande gioia scoprii che il film era stato tratto da un omonimo libro. Doveva essere un libro meraviglioso!!!! Normalmente prima leggo i libri e dopo (se è il caso) guardo i film; in questo caso però non avevo avuto scelta. Dovevo leggere anche il libro! L’ho cercato in lungo e in largo ed alla fine tre mesi fa l’ho trovato su IBS. Mi ripromettevo di leggerlo subito e l’ho cominciato il 24 giugno… ma poi è rimasto parcheggiato...more Anni fa vidi per caso il film di Tim Burton. Ne rimasi stregata e con grande gioia scoprii che il film era stato tratto da un omonimo libro. Doveva essere un libro meraviglioso!!!! Normalmente prima leggo i libri e dopo (se è il caso) guardo i film; in questo caso però non avevo avuto scelta. Dovevo leggere anche il libro! L’ho cercato in lungo e in largo ed alla fine tre mesi fa l’ho trovato su IBS. Mi ripromettevo di leggerlo subito e l’ho cominciato il 24 giugno… ma poi è rimasto parcheggiato in doppia fila sul comodino per mancanza di tempo. L’ho portato in vacanza con me decisa a finirlo. Dico “decisa” perché in realtà mi ci è voluta molta determinazione già solo per arrivare a metà… finirlo rappresentava un problema. L’ho trovato noioso, ma noioso tanto. Insulso, inutile. Niente … il vuoto .. non capisco. Partendo da un film tanto bello mi aspettavo un libro a dir poco eccezionale… e mi sbagliavo. Leggendolo mi sono accorta di quanto le varie storielle raccontate su Edward Bloom siano slegate e anche un po’ scarne e quindi adattabili cinematograficamente con una certa libertà arricchendole di molti elementi che non fuorviano ma regalano più magia. Già, la magia delle immagini. Peccato che un libro dovrebbe avere la stessa magia delle immagini, che permettano al lettore di vedere con la mente quello che sta leggendo (Il signore degli Anelli è un esempio di capacità di creare perfette immagini nella mente del lettore). Invece Big Fish non ha questa capacità. È la collezione privata di alcune storielle di famiglia, quelle che girano attorno al personaggio di Edward Bloom, uomo nato in una giornata di pioggia e che dal nulla è diventato un eroe, un rispettabile uomo d’affari, un superuomo, un viaggiatore, etc… Le storie vengono raccontate al lettore con una semplicità disarmante (e disarmante in questo caso non è un complimento) in un momento molto particolare della vita di Edward: la sua prossima dipartita a miglior vita. Il Signor Bloom è steso da giorni nel letto della camera degli ospiti in procinto di salutare la terra e, alternativamente, gli fanno visite la moglie Sandra, il figlio William e il Dottor Bennet. I tre si trovano in casa con lui ed ogni momento pare essere ottimo per fare quelle che poterebbero essere le ultime chiacchere. Dico chiacchere perché Edward Bloom continua a scherzare, non vuole discorsi seri, grandi parole o silenzi solenni, no no lui continua a raccontare storielle buffe e barzellette facendo infuriare William, che si chiede come il padre non riesca ad essere serio nemmeno in un momento così. Come dice la quarta di copertina “a furia di raccontare le sue storie, un uomo diventa quelle storie”; questo è esattamente quello che è accaduto ad Edward Bloom, non si scindono più le storie fantastiche da quelle realmente accadute. Lui è tutte quelle storie, né una di più né una di meno. Ho cercato di capire se vi fosse un qualche significato allegorico dietro tutto questo; la forza della vita sulla morte? La capacità di non arrendersi? Sinceramente se esiste, io non l’ho trovato. Così l’unica idea che mi sono fatta è che sia un libro costruito in modo alternativo (con buona originalità) ma fondamentalmente vuoto. Vi si può scorgere qualche insegnamento, qualche morale, ma sicuramente è vuoto. Non lascia nulla, non aggiunge nulla. Racconta storie fantasiose (molto fantasiose) che rasentano l’assurdo e la mitizzazione… ok, fermi tutti… Non voglio dare un’immagine così negativa del libro, però è veramente difficile dire dei pregi. L’unico forse è la poetica. Si la poesia. Le storie emanano un non so che di aulico… credo sia il linguaggio misto al contenuto, ma rende questa impressione. Leggetelo. Sono 187 pagine. Sembrano poche e sicuramente numericamente lo sono, ma non sarà così rapido come pensate. Magari qualcuno di voi mi farà notare cose che mi sono sfuggite. Mi piacerebbe davvero trovare un qualche elemento interessante, ci ho provato ma non ci riesco. Non riesco nemmeno a ricordare una delle storielle raccontate… non credo sia un buon segno!(less)

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Jun 27, 2012 Carolyn Gerk rated it 4 of 5 stars

Big Fish is an endearing story of a son trying desperately to connect with his dying father who, himself, is trying desperately to hide within jokes and fantastical stories. William Bloom recounts his father's history as he knows it, some truth, some obvious fiction, some a mixture of the two. His father, Edward Bloom, is an enigmatic character full of life and mystery and humor. Told through a series of short stories, jokes and traditional narrative, Big Fish is sweet and funny. A short novel,...more

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Aug 08, 2010 Allison rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classic-to-be, entertaining, eerie-nonsense, leisure, tall-tales

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 12, 2010 Mducsak rated it 4 of 5 stars

Daniel Wallace’s Big Fish is a heartwarming novel about the hardships of love, life, and death. Including several amusing tales of a single man’s life, Wallace incorporates life lessons into his story.

William Bloom’s father hasn’t much time to live, and William is focusing on getting to know his close, yet very distant father before his time is up. William’s father, Edward Bloom, depicts memorable times in his life and transforms these memories into heroic stories. William tells these stories t...more Daniel Wallace’s Big Fish is a heartwarming novel about the hardships of love, life, and death. Including several amusing tales of a single man’s life, Wallace incorporates life lessons into his story.

William Bloom’s father hasn’t much time to live, and William is focusing on getting to know his close, yet very distant father before his time is up. William’s father, Edward Bloom, depicts memorable times in his life and transforms these memories into heroic stories. William tells these stories through narration and with much doubt, wishing every story his father ever told was true. As William slowly understands his father through these verbal adventures, he finds it easier to say goodbye. He says, "We're staring at each other, showing each other our last looks, the faces we'll take with us into eternity, and I'm thinking how I wish I knew him better, how I wish we'd had a life together, wishing my father wasn't such a mystery" (201). He ultimately has the satisfaction of learning more about such an amazing man he calls Dad.

William Bloom needs to understand his father in order for the both of them to move on with their lives. He is a son with good intensions, and asks his father everything he desires to know. He is a determined man who hopes his father’s stories haven’t made his life a lie. Edward Bloom on the other hand is an incredible, optimistic man who strives on making everyone around d him happy. The narroratar proclaims, "They say he never forgot a name or a face of your favorite color, and that by his twlfth year he knew everybody in his hometown by the sound their shoes made when they walked" (23). He raised William with love, and with plenty of magical stories. He doesn’t want to leave his world until he knows he’s fulfilled his job as a man, father, and husband.

Big Fish has also been incorporated into a movie by Tim Burton, a personal favorite of mine. The movie drove me to want to read the book, knowing in mind that books always include more details than the movies. After reading the book, I discovered there definitely is more to the book rather than the movie. This book inspired me to imagine that much more than I did on the movie. This is an absolute 'must read' and i look forward to reading more of Daniel Wallace's works.

Daniel Wallace is currently living in Chapel Hills with his wife and son.

(less)

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Mar 19, 2010 Kandice rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a beautiful book. I've loved the movie for years, never knowing it was a book first. The story is about Edward Bloom, as told through his son William's memories, while Edward lays at death's door. Edward's life is part myth, part truth and part lie, but his life in it's entirety is all charm. He was born a big fish in a little pond. His stories are all big fish stories, and William has been dragged like a fish with a hook in it's mouth his entire life, hanging on for the punchline of each o...more What a beautiful book. I've loved the movie for years, never knowing it was a book first. The story is about Edward Bloom, as told through his son William's memories, while Edward lays at death's door. Edward's life is part myth, part truth and part lie, but his life in it's entirety is all charm. He was born a big fish in a little pond. His stories are all big fish stories, and William has been dragged like a fish with a hook in it's mouth his entire life, hanging on for the punchline of each of his father's stories. Perfect title.

Beginning with the crazy summer of Edward's birth, his life gets more and more exciting, less and less believable. Everyone loves him. He's successful, has hundreds of friends, owns an entire town, and of course marries the prettiest girl in the county. Even his mistress is bigger than life with her swamp background and magical ways.

As his father lays dying William tries in vain to get close to him. As loved as Edward is, he has never allowed real attachment. He keeps his friends and family at arms length. No matter how happy you are to see him, how sad you are to watch him go, no one can say they truly know him or are close to him. Every attempt at intimacy is thwarted by Edward with humor. A humor, that as sweet as it is, begins to grate on his son's nerves toward the end of his life. William feels cheated by his father, practically begs him for seriousness, but Edward is simply not capable of unvarnished truth. The myth is always better.

I found it ironic that as William raged against his father's jokes, he relayed his father's story with humor himself. He seems to want to be anything, as long as it's not the man his father is, and yet, he can't seem to help himself. He has become his father in a way. Perhaps he will carry on the Bloom torch of charm, laughter, tall tales and...distance. Always the distance.

Even knowing most of the story was fabrication, I was moved to tears, not once or twice, but many times. Edward Bloom is a man I long to meet, to know, no matter the pain of losing him. Everyone should have a friend like Edward Bloom. As William realizes what a gift his father truly is, and grants his last Earthly wish, I could see it! I could hear the running water, feel the dampness of the ground, the ache of such loss. If only we could all discover the worth and greatness of our parents before they were gone.(less)

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About Daniel Wallace

Daniel Wallace is author of four novels, including Big Fish (1998), Ray in Reverse (2000), The Watermelon King (2003) and most recently Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician (2007).

He has written one book for children, Elynora, and in 2008 it was published in Italy, with illustrations by Daniela Tordi. O Great Rosenfeld!, the only book both written and illustrated by the author, has been released i...more

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“When a man's stories are remembered, then he is immortal.” — 51 people liked it

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