85 pages 2 hours read

Daniel Wallace

Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Big Fish by Daniel Wallace, William Bloom recounts the extraordinary life of his father, Edward, as he lays dying from a terminal illness. Using Edward's outlandish anecdotes, tall tales, and allusions to classics like The Odyssey, William pieces together Edward's adventures, exploring themes of mortality, storytelling, and their strained father-son relationship, ultimately embracing his father's legacy as a storyteller.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Daniel Wallace's Big Fish captivates readers with its imaginative storytelling and whimsical charm, portraying the intricate relationship between a son and his father through tall tales. Critics praise its creativity and emotional depth, though some find the narrative disjointed. Overall, it's celebrated for its heartwarming exploration of familial bonds.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Big Fish?

A reader who enjoys Big Fish by Daniel Wallace likely appreciates magical realism, heartfelt father-son relationships, and Southern folklore. Fans of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude or William Faulkner's The Reivers will find this whimsical yet profound narrative appealing.

RecommendedReading Age

13-18years

Book Details

Themes

Relationships: Fathers

Genre

Modern Classic Fiction

Magical Realism

Fantasy