From the back of the audio case: Since she was born, Truly has paid a price for her large size. Her father blamed her for her mother’s death in childbirth, and he was ill-equipped to raise either this giant child or her sister, Serena Jane, the epitome of feminine perfection. When their father died, the sisters were separated, Serena Jane to live a life of privilege and Truly to live on the outskirts of town, subject to abuse and humiliation from her peers.
But Serena Jane’s beauty turns out to be as much a curse as a blessing, as it attracts the interest of the ruthless Bob Bob Morgan. When Serena Jane flees town, it is Truly who must become mother to her eight-year-old nephew while facing relentless cruelty from her brother-in-law. But when Truly finds her calling as a naturopathic healer, she finds some control over her life, as well as the possibility of love in unexpected places.
Read by: Carrington MacDuffie
My thoughts: This is a charming, endearing tale that tackles many serious issues – bullying, rape, alcoholism, physical disease, and depression just to name a few. The story focuses on the life of Truly, a girl in Aberdeen who has a disease that makes her grow unusually fast. Her size makes Truly an outcast her entire life, a problem that is compounded when the town insists on comparing Truly to her perfect and beautiful sister Serena Jane. Truly leads a difficult life, and it is only made more challenging by decisions others make for her. It is only once Truly decides to take her life into her own hands, that she is able to escape the stigma of being the “little giant” and find happiness.
This is a difficult book to categorize. With its one-room schoolhouse, provincial politics and herb lore, it sometimes feels old-fashioned, like it could have been set in the 19th century instead of in the 1960s and 1970s. But with its sly humor, social commentary and elegant mixing of genres, Tiffany Baker’s debut is definitely set in the modern literary world. Weaving medicine, love, witches’ potions and deception into an original script, Tiffany Baker shows just how talented she is and I look forward to seeing what is next for her.
(I borrowed this audio book from the library.)
I have never had an audio book (don't think I ever will) but this sounds really good, great review. Is it available in print too?
Lainy alwaysreading.net
@So many books, so little time Yes, it is – it was released last year, so you should be able to find it either in bookstores or even in your local library.
I'd really like to read this book, I am intrigued.
Wishing you a great reading week!
Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out