Truly is a woman without a place in the world because of her size. She is huge at birth and never stops growing because of an abnormality in her pituitary gland. The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker chronicles Truly’s triumphs and struggles throughout her life in the small town of Aberdeen.
Orphaned at a young age, Truly is stuck with an only sister who is her polar opposite in what the world sees as feminine beauty. Truly has to navigate growing up in Aberdeen with sneers from classmates, disdain from her teacher and unfavorable comparisons to her sister. After their father dies, Truly’s sister, beautiful Serena Jane, grows up in the Vicar’s privileged household and eventually becomes Aberdeen’s pinnacle of society, the May Queen. Truly is relegated to a dilapidated farm owned by the kind but down-on-their-luck Dyersons.
Surprisingly Serena Jane’s seemingly good fortune and beauty become a curse when the town doctor’s son, Robert Morgan, becomes obsessive and marries her. Eventually Serena Jane flees Aberdeen and Truly is left to deal with the broken lives she leaves behind. In doing so, Truly finds a piece of Aberdeen folklore and uncovers long-dead secrets from Robert Morgan’s half-witch half-healer ancestor. Growing ever more adept at the healing arts, Truly has to make difficult moral choices and eventually finds love and acceptance from herself and others.
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County successfully contrasts Truly’s internal beauty with her freakish size. Many people just can’t get past her looks, but those who do, find forgiveness, mercy and a heart to match her size.
The book is a great story full of twists and turns in the plot but has underlying themes that make it thoughtful and provoking. Truly’s moral decisions and their ramifications with those she loves are especially stirring.
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County is a unique page-turner with a complex main character and a heart-warming story.
ALIVE Book Review