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Big Fish (novel)
Encyclopedia
Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions is a 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace
. It was adapted into a film, Big Fish
, in 2003 by Tim Burton
.
The book is written in a chronological (although they may not appear so at first) series of tall tales. Despite the novel's first-person narration, there is no present tense part of the book. The various stories are a retelling of tales that Ed has told about his life. The 'My Father's Death Take' chapters are William planning out his final conversation with his father in his head and how it will go, so that when the actual conversation takes place, he will be able to get to the truth.
The book draws elements from the epic poem The Odyssey, James Joyce
's Ulysses
, and American tall tales. The story of Edward Bloom also includes at least seven of the Twelve Labors of Hercules.
The subtitle "A Novel of Mythic Proportions" may be a reference to the dimensions of the Penguin edition, which make a Golden ratio
. Conversely, the dimensions of the Penguin edition may derive from the subtitle. The Golden ratio dimensions carry through the bodies of type on each page, and are most apparent on the opening pages of each chapter.
Daniel Wallace (author)
Daniel Wallace is an American author, best known for his 1998 novel Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions, the basis for the Tim Burton film Big Fish. His other books include Ray in Reverse and The Watermelon King...
. It was adapted into a film, Big Fish
Big Fish
Big Fish is a 2003 American fantasy adventure film based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace. The film was directed by Tim Burton and stars Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange and Marion Cotillard. Finney plays Edward Bloom, a former traveling salesman from...
, in 2003 by Tim Burton
Tim Burton
Timothy William "Tim" Burton is an American film director, film producer, writer and artist. He is famous for dark, quirky-themed movies such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet...
.
Plot summary
A young man (William Bloom) at his father's (Edward Bloom) deathbed tries to reconcile his memories of his dad with who he really is. Whereas he always saw his father as an irresponsible liar, he comes to understand his dad's exaggerations and their roots in reality.The book is written in a chronological (although they may not appear so at first) series of tall tales. Despite the novel's first-person narration, there is no present tense part of the book. The various stories are a retelling of tales that Ed has told about his life. The 'My Father's Death Take' chapters are William planning out his final conversation with his father in his head and how it will go, so that when the actual conversation takes place, he will be able to get to the truth.
The book draws elements from the epic poem The Odyssey, James Joyce
James Joyce
James Augustine Aloysius Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century...
's Ulysses
Ulysses (novel)
Ulysses is a novel by the Irish author James Joyce. It was first serialised in parts in the American journal The Little Review from March 1918 to December 1920, and then published in its entirety by Sylvia Beach on 2 February 1922, in Paris. One of the most important works of Modernist literature,...
, and American tall tales. The story of Edward Bloom also includes at least seven of the Twelve Labors of Hercules.
The subtitle "A Novel of Mythic Proportions" may be a reference to the dimensions of the Penguin edition, which make a Golden ratio
Golden ratio
In mathematics and the arts, two quantities are in the golden ratio if the ratio of the sum of the quantities to the larger quantity is equal to the ratio of the larger quantity to the smaller one. The golden ratio is an irrational mathematical constant, approximately 1.61803398874989...
. Conversely, the dimensions of the Penguin edition may derive from the subtitle. The Golden ratio dimensions carry through the bodies of type on each page, and are most apparent on the opening pages of each chapter.
Characters
- Edward Bloom - the story's protagonist. Edward is the center of all the tales told; through these stories, pieces of his character are revealed through his actions, as well as the people he encounters, and the places he passes through.
- William Bloom - son of Edward. William appears in the various "Death Takes", as he tries to extract the truth from his father (only to be further frustrated with his lack of seriousness).
- Jenny Hill - owns the last part of Specter. Edward later buys up her land, and the two become lovers, even though he is married to Sandra Kay Templeton. However, he really does love Jenny in his special own way, while still loving Sandra.
- Dr.Bennett - was a family doctor and and old friend. He is a very old man who can't even stand for a long time. He has been into doctoring even before William was born and at that time was being asked to retire. He is emotional and tries everything to see to the survival of Edward.