Helpful Score: 4
These people have real names and live in known geographical locations and hold real jobs. But are they real? If not, then what kind of book is this? It is not like any fantasy I have ever read. If it is meant to be a parable, then what is the message? Ahah! It must be magic realism. If so, it is not like any magic realism I have ever read (maybe a little like A Visitation Of Spirits). I read the whole book without answering any of the above questions. Very slow reading. Very interesting.
Helpful Score: 2
Many people have loved this book. Perhaps you will love this book.
I did not love this book. It was vague and needlessly wordy; its characters let their strange fates wash over them like waves; all was predestined, there was no choice, no struggle, no definition. No one could ever come out and say what they meant. It had some interesting concepts about fairies and the supernatural, ideas I'd like to see some bolder author wrestle with, but that's the best I can say for it. I read the whole thing - I'm stubborn that way - but even the denouement was indistinct and dizzy and unsatisfying.
I did not love this book. It was vague and needlessly wordy; its characters let their strange fates wash over them like waves; all was predestined, there was no choice, no struggle, no definition. No one could ever come out and say what they meant. It had some interesting concepts about fairies and the supernatural, ideas I'd like to see some bolder author wrestle with, but that's the best I can say for it. I read the whole thing - I'm stubborn that way - but even the denouement was indistinct and dizzy and unsatisfying.
Helpful Score: 2
ONLY 3.8 STARS???
The most incredible book I have ever read, and the only book that I have ever read Three times. If there is one book that I wish I could claim to have written, it is this one. I would give it six stars if I could. Seven, even.
The most incredible book I have ever read, and the only book that I have ever read Three times. If there is one book that I wish I could claim to have written, it is this one. I would give it six stars if I could. Seven, even.
Helpful Score: 2
It's difficult to praise "Little, Big" enough. Original, whimsical, written in a style that begs repeated readings in order to savor the prose style and wallow in the characterizations. Forget genre fantasy, Crowley belongs on the short list of high literary fabulists, along with masters like Mark Helprin, Salman Rushdie and Tom Robbins. "Little, Big" is intellectually and emotionally stunning, the kind of book that a chance encounter with 28 years ago when I was in college lodged itself in my mind and remained there till recently, when I picked it up again and found that it was, in fact as wonderfilled as I remembered. Not for fans of fantasy, but for anyone who loves good writing and touching, original stories.
