Wednesday, April 28, 2010

THE LITTLE GIANT OF ABERDEEN COUNTY: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE LITTLE GIANT
OF ABERDEEN COUNTY

BY TIFFANY BAKER

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When Truly Plaice's mother was pregnant, the whole town of Aberdeen lined up to bet on the weight of the baby that could stretch a woman to such epic proportions. Young Truly would pay the price of her enormity. Her father blamed her for her mother's death in childbirth, and was totally ill equipped to raise either this giant child or her older sister and polar opposite, Serena Jane, the epitome of feminine perfection. His subsequent death left Serena Jane to live a life of privilege as the town's prodigal May Queen and Truly to eke out an existence with a rattletrap, outcast family on its rundown farm.

While Truly's remarkable size makes her the subject of constant curiosity and humiliation by her peers, Serena Jane's beauty proves to be both her biggest blessing and her worst curse, for it targets her as the obsession of Bob Bob Morgan, the youngest in a line of Robert Morgans, Aberdeen's family doctors for generations. When Bob Bob does the unthinkable to claim Serena Jane, his actions change the destiny of all Aberdeen County.


In the end, Truly is forced to face her own larger-than-life demons, redefine mercy, and consider the possibility that love cannot be ordered to size.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tiffany Baker lives in Tiburon, California with her husband and three children. This is her first novel. If you'd like to read more about Tiffany Baker, I strongly recommend you go to her website to see what she cleverly wrote about herself and entitled it "Tiffany Baker's Recipe for a Writing Life". Click here to read that.

MY REVIEW:

Since Wally Lamb gave us Dolores Price in SHE’S COME UNDONE, I have yearned for a character like Truly Plaice and now thanks to Tiffany Baker’s superbly imaginative and captivating writing, we have a ‘little giant’ to root for. This book is sheer magic in so many ways as we follow the painfully poignant journey of our heroine, Truly, in a life filled with contrasts: tragedy and small wonders, sorrow and delight, triumph and tragedy.

Aberdeen County, in rural New York State, is a character in itself as the setting plays into the story in general. This is a small town where everyone is connected in some way either as a family member or through marriage. Of course, in a place such as this, everyone knows each other’s business as well. And Truly Plaice didn’t enter this town quietly but rather as BIG news!

Lily Plaice was expecting her second child in 1953 and was so large during her pregnancy that the townspeople made wagers on how big the baby would be. However, none of the citizens of Aberdeen County were quite prepared for how huge this baby girl really was. Least of which were her parents because Lily Plaice couldn’t handle the size of this baby and she died giving birth to her.

As the narrator of the story, Truly describes how her father was totally unprepared to take care of two young children-herself and older sister, Serena. Due to a pituitary gland deformity, Truly grows larger each day and when she was old enough to realize she was different, there was no sympathetic parent to help her cope with this odd medical condition. Her father is hateful towards her and verbalizes that it was her fault her mother died trying to “push her out”. Truly hopes for an escape when she starts school but instead, she gains her nickname on the first day when the teacher says to her, “You’re a Little Giant”.

Serena and Truly are separated when their father dies and the girls go to live with other families. Serena, pretty and “normal” looking, goes to live with a very rich family while Truly is sent to live on a farm with a very poor family. Amanda Pickerton and her minister husband take in Serena and they adore her and treat her like a doll. Truly was sent to a broken down farm owned by the Dyerson family where she grew to love working outside and with the farm horses. Truly had only two friends, unusual in their own ways, young Amelia Dyerson and a quick minded boy named Marcus. He was a whiz at remembering details. This group made up a pathetic existence for Truly.

Meanwhile, Serena Jane's future seems to be going very well until Bob Bob Morgan comes along. He is the youngest of the Morgan family who have been the town’s doctor for what seems like forever. The Morgan family history goes far back in Aberdeen and the first Morgan supposedly married the town witch, Tabitha Dyerson. Tabitha’s secret book of mysterious forces is said to be hidden and it supposedly contains secrets for healing and other mystifying spells. When Serena abandons her son to escape the cruelty of Bob Bob, she leaves Truly to care for her eight-year-old nephew Bobbie, under the hateful eye of her brother-in-law. Bob Bob criticizes Truly because of her body size and degrades her. However, it is in this part of the setting that Truly discovers her fate. She finds a family quilt filled with old family secrets that lead to GIGANTIC changes in Aberdeen County. From healing potions to life saving emotions, Truly shows she can take the good with the bad and just when you think you have this tale figured out, something else changes to keep you interested until the very end! This little giant of a book by Tiffany Baker is highly recommended and leaves all who have read it looking forward to the next work of Ms. Baker!


GIVEAWAY

I AM THRILLED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO INTRODUCE THIS BOOK TO MY READERS!
THE LITTLE GIANT OF ABDERDEEN COUNTY
IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE LAST
YEAR AND IS NOW OUT IN PAPERBACK
EDITION AND HERE IS A CHANCE FOR YOU
TO MEET TRULY AND READ HER STORY.!

THANKS TO JESSICA AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT NEWMAN COMMUNICATIONS, I HAVE
ONE COPY OF THIS FABULOUS BOOK
TO GIVE AWAY TO A LUCKY WINNER!


--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY



HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU READ ABOVE IN THE DESCRIPTION OR REVIEW THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO TIFFANY BAKER'S WEBSITE HERE AND COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU FOUND THERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON THE COVER OF THIS NOVEL AND HOW YOU THINK IT MAY RELATE, OR NOT, TO THE STORY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ANY OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG YOU HAVE ENTERED AND WHICH ONE IT IS. YOU MAY COMMENT AND GAIN ENTRIES FOR EACH OTHER GIVEAWAY YOU ENTERED IF YOU ENTER EACH ONE SEPARATELY.

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK FOR ME TO FOLLOW. IF YOU DO BOTH, COMMENT SEPARATELY FOR THE BONUS ENTRIES.

BONUS ENTRIES COMING SOON: WATCH FOR MY NEW INTERVIEW WITH TIFFANY BAKER COMING SOON TO SEE WHAT SHE IS DOING NOW AND WHAT HER NEXT BOOK MIGHT BE AND WHEN IT WILL BE OUT. YOU WILL GAIN BONUS ENTRIES FOR COMMENTING ON THAT POST SO BE WATCHING!

GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
MAY 13!


119 comments:

StephTheBookworm said...

Oh my goodness, I have been trying to get this book for so long! It's been on my PBS wishlist forever. It looks so interesting. A huge baby! What in the world?! It's so intriguing and strange that I must read it!

stephaniet117 at yahoo dot com

StephTheBookworm said...

I think it is interesting that the author moved to England to be with her husband!

StephTheBookworm said...

I entered Love is the Best Medicine.

StephTheBookworm said...

I think the cover relates to the story because most of those mannequin things are really skinny but this one is larger because Truly is a larger woman than normal.

StephTheBookworm said...

I entered I Thought You Were Dead.

Jo-Jo said...

Everything about this story appeals to me. A sad tale of a girl that finally comes to terms with herself.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Jo-Jo said...

I wonder if the cover signifies the necessity of having to hand make many of Truly's clothes, since store bought clothes don't fit her well?
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Jo-Jo said...

I also entered Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Jo-Jo said...

From her website I learned that she lived in England with her husband for awhile.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Pamela Keener said...

I have heard so much about this book and it has been on my wish list forever. The tale of two sisters and how everything evens out as Serena leaves her son with Truly and Truly has to find her way is very intriguing.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I absolutely love her recipe for writing life. She partakes ofindecent amount of coffee and chocolate and then has to begin jogging to take the weight off. You go girl!!
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

The cover is interesting in that it has this large manniquin and quilted pattern in the background.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered She-Rain giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered My Sister's Voice giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered The Middle Place & Lift giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered I Thought You Were Dead giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered Love Is The Best Medicine giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered the Buying Time giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered Sugar & Glorious giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

bermudaonion said...

Great review! I agree - Truly is a fantastic character. No need to enter me.

Margie said...

The author says you need indecent amounts of chocolate and coffee for a writing life.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

I've been interested in this book for a long time! I think it will be interesting to see how the main character reacts to a problem which is no fault of her own.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

The cover probably relates to the character's large size...and the fact that she probably had to have her clothes made specifically for her.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for She-Rain.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for My Sister's Voice.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for I Thought You Were Dead.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for Lemon Tart.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered the Clarissa Burden giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

traveler said...

I am intrigued with this novel. Unusual to say the least. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The cover represents a definite symbolism within the story. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered I thought you were dead. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Love is the best Medicine. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Sugar and Glorious. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered She-rain. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Lift and The Middle Place. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered My Sister's Voice. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The author has a lovely prescription for life. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Debbie said...

This book has been on my TBR list for so long! I was mesmerized by the idea of the heroine from the first time I read about it.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Debbie said...

Love her attitude on life and the fact that she loves chocolate:)
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Debbie said...

I've always assumed the large mannequin related to the woman in the story - perhaps having her life exposed?
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

traveler said...

I entered How Clarissa burden Learned to Fly. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Lemon Tart. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Guess How Much I Love You. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Jenna said...

Compare it to Wally Lamb? I am all about it! Also, I think it sounds like a great book to compare to society and its view of beauty.

papajm25[@]gmail[.]com

Jenna said...

I think the cover relates to the concept of beauty. We always see models, mannequins, dolls, etc etc with a certain look- a "standard" of beauty. I would think it relates to Truly being large and being teased, because she isnt "normal"

Jenna said...

What I found interesting was her format! I love that it is like a recipe... plus I think its neat she moved for love

papajm25[@]gmail[.]com

Jenna said...

I entered the She-Rain giveaway

papajm25[@]gmail.com

Jenna said...

I entered My Sister's Voice

papajm25[@]gmail.com

Jenna said...

I entered The Middle & Lift

papajm25[@]gmail.com

Margie said...

Entered for Buying Time.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for Sugar and Glorious.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for Love is the Best Medicine.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Pam said...

I've been wanting to read this book since reading all the great reviews when the hardcover was first released. I'm glad that they are portraying Truly to be large due to a pituitary gland deformity as too often, it is assumed that all large people are large because they're lazy and eat too much McDonald's.

melacan at hotmail odt com

Pam said...

It sounds like Tiffany met her husband while on vacation with her mother. I met my husband while vacationing with my parents!

melacan at hotmail dot ocm

Pam said...

entered how clarissa burden learned to fly

melacan at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

the cover looks like a dressmaker's dummy. Most dressmaker dummy's that I've seen are pretty much a one-size fits all kind of deal. This one, however, looks like it's made for plus-sized women, much like the clothes Truly would need.

melacan at hotmail dtoc om

Anonymous said...

I like that it is about two sisters who lead different lives, yet have many things things in common.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

This book sounds very interesting. A huge baby. I would be very interested in reading this book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Colleen Turner said...

Thank you for the review. I love how the author paired her larger than life heroine with a small, beautiful, polar-opposite sister to contend with. It appears they both have issues, regardless of what they look like (I love those types of stories!). Please enter me!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I found on the author's website that this book is a new york times bestseller!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am assuming the cover is relating to Truly since she is a larger girl.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the She-rain giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the My Sister's Voice giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Middle Place and Lift giveaway (by the way, I saw the author on Today this morning and, after listening to her speak I want to books even more :)!).
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the I Thought You Were Dead giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Sugar and Glorious giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Lemon Tart giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the How Clarissa Burden Learned To Fly giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Kristin said...

I've seen this book quite a few times and am intrigued by it. I love stories about sisters and how different they can be.

k2reader@gmail.com

Kristin said...

I think the cover was chosen to signify that all Truly's clothes need to be handmade by herself or a seamstress.

k2reader@gmail.com

Kristin said...

I love that Tiffany Baker thinks an indecent amount of chocolate and coffee are needed to be a writer - I would agree with the chocolate but have to change the coffee to tea!

k2reader@gmail.com

Kristin said...

I entered the giveaway for A Change in Altitude.

k2reader@gmail.com

Kristin said...

I entered the giveaway for My Sister's Voice.

k2reader@gmail.com

doreen lamoureux said...

Gosh, sounds like a great story. How how though to have your father blame you for your mom's passing.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

doreen lamoureux said...

When I first looked at the cover, I thought the book was about making clothes. ha ha

dorcontest at gmail dot com

doreen lamoureux said...

I entered How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly. This sounds so good too.

dorcontest at gmail dot com

bison61 said...

everyone knows each other’s business -so typical of a small town!

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I've tried to win this book at another site too. I want this book. It's in my wishlist at amazon.

A book that I haven't read and would like to is:
We Need to Talk About Kevin

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I learned a lot of interesting things form that site. Hows is?
The TV show that I can't live without is…
Desperate Housewives

I happen to agreee with that one.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a GFC follower

chirth7@yahoo.com

I also subscribe by email.

Unknown said...

tweet: https://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/13252911826

chirth7@yahoo.com

409cope said...

I love stories of people overcoming obstacles. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I learned that the author moved to England.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

The cover shows a larger size mannequin to represent the heroine of the story.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Glenn said...

Thanks for this giveaway - sounds like a great book from the review.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

Aik said...

I'd love to read this book! The synopsis intrigues me!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Debbie F said...

This sounds like a really great read! I love reading stories about family and relationships. I feel bad for the girl, not having someone look out for her and I really want to see how things turn out for her.

Count me in!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I think the front cover is an indication of how big Truly is and that she may have to have her clothes specially made?

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I entered Hannah's List

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I entered Buying Time

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I have entered Sugar & Glorious

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Margie said...

I am glad I became a BOOKIN' WITH BINGO II FB fan!

mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Colleen Turner said...

I am glad I became a BOOKIN' WITH BINGO II FB fan!
candc320@gmail.com

Carol N Wong said...

That a baby was blamed for her mother's death is striking. How can anyone blame a baby?


CarolNWong@aol.com

Carol N Wong said...

I entered the Buying time and The girl she used to be contests.



CarolNWong@aol.com

Unknown said...

I still find it interesting how beauty can lead someone into a better life where as the not so normally looking child ends up on the farm. i would love to read how these two sister interact with their environment.

debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I entered the Buying Time giveaway.

debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I entered Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.

debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I entered the Mother's Day Giveaway.

debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I entered Hannah's List giveaway.

debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I would guess the mannequin on the cover relates to the size of Truly's clothing and the fact that she doesn't fit the norm.

debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I entered The 9th Judgement. Would love to read another James Patterson.

debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I entered The Girl She Used To Be. Would love to find out how it ends.

debraldufek AT hotmail DOT com

Carol W. said...

I learned that the author is working on book 2.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol W. said...

It is interesting that Truly never becomes very bitter.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol W. said...

I entered The Girl She Used to Be.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol W. said...

The cover reminds me of what a seamstress would use for making clothes- in this case- super large size for the main character.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

CherylS22 said...

I would love to win this book because I want to see how Truly's life develops & whether she ends up happy.

Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I love the way Tiffany Baker describes her Recipe for A Writing Life - very original!

megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I don't like the cover of this novel, but I feel it definitely relates to the story being told about a woman who is large.

megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I entered "The Ninth Judgement" giveaway.
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I entered the Happy Mother's Day giveaway
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I entered the Latino Books Month giveaway
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I entered "A Change in Altitude" giveaway
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I entered the "Hannah's List" giveaway
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

CherylS22 said...

I entered the "Buying Time" giveaway
megalon22 at yahoo dot com

Misusedinnocence said...

This sounds wonderful. I've heard amazing things.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I entered the Art Of Choosing giveaway

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I like the cover. It definitely fits the description.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

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