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Book Discoveries: Little, Big

Little, Big
John Crowley

It was not so much a book as an atmosphere. I was completely enveloped in the world of this novel; sometimes I couldn’t tell what was ‘real’ and what was ‘imaginary’. This was until I stopped trying to find a separation and just marinated in the book. It became, in this way, quite an existential read. Surrendering the urge to define what’s “really happening” and what’s going on in the “dream world” was quite provocative and ultimately rewarding as a reader, you begin to discover that there may not be that large of a separation at all.

I must be very forthright: I have yet to finish this book. I have purposefully set it aside to read a few pages at times when I need to immerse myself in simple imagination. It was not for any reason other than that I truly didn’t want this book to end. So, I am stretching it out with me into the months ahead, a few pages here and there. Of course, the time will come when I will have to set it down after its conclusion, but I think I may just smile, fulfilled, and turn it back to its cover and start again.

Little, Big is first and foremost a fantasy; an epic story that blurs the lines wherever it can, perhaps not always on purpose. It has been described as a 20th century fairytale and I do believe it is just that. The story follows generations of the Drinkwater family and their connection to their country home, Edgewood. There are cities, faeries, love, death, magic, tarot cards, a talking fish…..and the magic only just begins there. It follows the family Drinkwater through their lives at Edgewood, with sons and daughters being mentioned and then becoming parents themselves. The home itself could have an entire novel dedicated to describing its eccentricities; essentially it is a single house made up of several differently styled homes. It was created as an all-in-one masterpiece, with several “front doors” that all merge together to form Edgewood.

I have read up on other reviews of this book, finding out about the allegories and inspiration for some of the happenings, but I will leave that to your own discretion if you want to discover more within the book. Its layers are truly profound – it has been considered by many authors to be an unsung masterpiece. I think what you most need for equipment when it comes to Little, Big is openness, a sense of awe, and the family tree on the first page (trust me, this will come in handy). I often flipped back to find out how people were related to each other, and I suspect that there is an underlying theme to these connections and what plays out in each character’s’ life, corresponding to their heritage.

There were so many delightful characters to play with too; many of them had these really quirky names like Auberon, Aunt Cloud, Smoky, and Daily Alice. There is also the sense that nothing is wasted, there is a purpose for each part of the story you unfold. The book’s layout is also unique, some chapters lasting for pages and others just a paragraph. One chapter in particular made me smile. It was titled “The Folding Bedroom” and was just a few pages long. My assumptions about the chapter titles at this point were almost involuntary and I quickly imagined a magical bedroom that would just fold itself up at your whim as if to fit into Mary Poppin’s purse. If you get to this chapter, I hope you too will pay special attention to what “The Folding Bedroom” reveals, as it made me smile when I discovered the magic of a play on words.

Essentially, Little, Big is a book that fills you with a kind of pleasant longing. For me, it was a yearning for the magic I sometimes can feel around me, but often remember as being an essential part of my childhood.

I appreciated that the book wasn’t a commentary on the loss of innocence, but rather the manifestation of these characters accepted truths in life. If I were in charge of the world, I would put Little, Big on my ‘must read’ list. Since this is not the way of the times, I will instead consider it a present to anyone who needs a little more sparkle in their life.

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