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Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions
Ever truly understood your father? William Bloom hadn't. Edward's tales of youth were fantastical, serious queries met with laughter. But now, with Edward's life ebbing, William feels compelled to recount his father's story, filled with giants tamed, fish-dragging lake journeys, and mythical escapes. Through legend, William crafts Edward's tale into that of a 'Big Fish'.
Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2012
67 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Wallace
91 books452 followersDaniel Wallace is author of five novels, including Big Fish (1998), Ray in Reverse (2000), The Watermelon King (2003), Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician (2007), and most recently The Kings and Queens of Roam (2013).
He has written one book for children, Elynora, and in 2008 it was published in Italy, with illustrations by Daniela Tordi. O Great Rosenfeld!, the only book both written and illustrated by the author, has been released in France and Korea and is forthcoming in Italy, but there are not, at this writing, any plans for an American edition.
His work has been published in over two dozen languages, and his stories, novels and non-fiction essays are taught in high schools and colleges throughout this country. His illustrations have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Italian Vanity Fair, and many other magazines and books, including Pep Talks, Warnings, and Screeds: Indispensible Wisdom and Cautionary Advice for Writers, by George Singleton, and Adventures in Pen Land: One Writer's Journey from Inklings to Ink, by Marianne Gingher. Big Fish was made into a motion picture of the same name by Tim Burton in 2003, a film in which the author plays the part of a professor at Auburn University.
He is in fact the J. Ross MacDonald Distinguished Professor of English, and director of the Creative Writing Program, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his alma mater (Class of '08). He lives with his wife, Laura Kellison Wallace, in Chapel Hill. More information about him, his writing, and his illustrations can be found at www.danielwallace.org and www.ogreatrosenfeld.org.
He has written one book for children, Elynora, and in 2008 it was published in Italy, with illustrations by Daniela Tordi. O Great Rosenfeld!, the only book both written and illustrated by the author, has been released in France and Korea and is forthcoming in Italy, but there are not, at this writing, any plans for an American edition.
His work has been published in over two dozen languages, and his stories, novels and non-fiction essays are taught in high schools and colleges throughout this country. His illustrations have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Italian Vanity Fair, and many other magazines and books, including Pep Talks, Warnings, and Screeds: Indispensible Wisdom and Cautionary Advice for Writers, by George Singleton, and Adventures in Pen Land: One Writer's Journey from Inklings to Ink, by Marianne Gingher. Big Fish was made into a motion picture of the same name by Tim Burton in 2003, a film in which the author plays the part of a professor at Auburn University.
He is in fact the J. Ross MacDonald Distinguished Professor of English, and director of the Creative Writing Program, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his alma mater (Class of '08). He lives with his wife, Laura Kellison Wallace, in Chapel Hill. More information about him, his writing, and his illustrations can be found at www.danielwallace.org and www.ogreatrosenfeld.org.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 29, 2026
This is been one of my favorite movies since high school. Also loved the musical adaptation. Never really thought about it being a book. Book falls a little short of the film, but who can compete with Tim Burton?
January 11, 2026
I liked the movie and musical better
March 19, 2026
Me hubiera gustado leer este libro antes de ver la película. Big Fish es mi película favorita por muchos motivos, y me sorprendió encontrar elementos icónicos del cine que no están en el papel (como la secuencia del circo); normalmente ocurre al revés, pero aquí eso le da un mérito increíble al trabajo de adaptación de Tim Burton.
Sin embargo, el libro es fascinante por derecho propio. Me recordó inevitablemente a Gabriel García Márquez por esa mezcla magistral entre realidad y ficción, donde lo fantástico se narra como una verdad absoluta. Es un realismo mágico sureño que se siente muy cercano.
Donde el libro realmente supera a la pantalla es en la relación padre e hijo. Al leerlo, la historia me llevó a otras instancias de mi propia vida y de mi papel como padre e hijo. En el libro, esa conexión (y sus silencios) alcanza un nivel mucho más profundo, real y, a veces, doloroso. Leerlo no me hizo querer menos la película, al contrario: me dio las raíces emocionales para entender por qué Edward Bloom necesitaba convertirse en un mito para ser eterno.
Sin embargo, el libro es fascinante por derecho propio. Me recordó inevitablemente a Gabriel García Márquez por esa mezcla magistral entre realidad y ficción, donde lo fantástico se narra como una verdad absoluta. Es un realismo mágico sureño que se siente muy cercano.
Donde el libro realmente supera a la pantalla es en la relación padre e hijo. Al leerlo, la historia me llevó a otras instancias de mi propia vida y de mi papel como padre e hijo. En el libro, esa conexión (y sus silencios) alcanza un nivel mucho más profundo, real y, a veces, doloroso. Leerlo no me hizo querer menos la película, al contrario: me dio las raíces emocionales para entender por qué Edward Bloom necesitaba convertirse en un mito para ser eterno.
March 4, 2026
Best fish story!
Even though I'd watched the movie it wasn't the same. I could tell as I went along that they had taken parts of the story and jumbled it all to make the movie. Both were very good.
Even though I'd watched the movie it wasn't the same. I could tell as I went along that they had taken parts of the story and jumbled it all to make the movie. Both were very good.
February 7, 2026
Spoiler alert - he IS the fish
February 21, 2026
just whimsical & wholesome. 🥹 I had tears by the end of this one. Loved the messages woven in, and I’m a huge fan of the writing techniques used by the author.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews