Published by St. Martin's Press Genres: Contempory, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism
Format: ARC, eBook
What a wonderful book. It is full of BIG Characters with many moving scenes. Gabriel Fisher was born to an unwed Amish mother who would not name his father. She was shunned and cast out and unfortunately did not survive his birth. Gabriel has always been big – he was eighteen pounds and measuring twenty-seven inches at his birth. He continues to grow throughout this book as do the many characters who encounter him.
When Gabriel’s older brother who is taking care of him dies, he moves in with this Amish Grandparents. Gabriel has always been big and as a teenager catches the eye of a local football coach in need of a second chance. As Gabriel’s life changes once again, so do the lives of those he touches.
I enjoyed the emphasis on change, on community, on faith, on sports, on personal growth, on relationships, on love, and on family secrets. I found this book to be well thought out, moving, wonderfully written, gripping, and thought provoking. I enjoyed the fleshed-out characters, they are flawed, they hurt, they are good, they are supportive, and they make mistakes. Gabriel will capture your heart as will those in his life who rally around him and cheer him on in his life.
This is a book which will stay with me for some time. It is one that I picked due to the title but loved due to the storytelling. Do yourself a favor and give this book a read!
Gripping, moving, hard to put down and heartwarming!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
