Big Fish

A powerful story of a man who wanted the most out of the world and the people he met on his journey to fulfill that desire.

Big Fish follows narrator, William Bloom, who tells of the life of his dying father, Edward. Throughout his life, Edward was frequently referred to as being a “big fish.” He was not fulfilled in the “pond” in which he lived, and he longed to explore the world, never wanting to be still for a long period of time. In the novel, William tells a series of metaphorical short stories to highlight some of Edward's life battles and the courage he had to power through and gain the growth and the life he was looking for.

During his journey, Edward encounters many different types of people, including those who attempted to control his life, those who sat stagnant rather than looking to change their life, and those who were too afraid to go after their dreams, leaving them as empty outlines of themselves. Edward did not let fear of the unknown get in his way, and he leapt out of his hometown into the rest of the world. Although he never stayed in one place for long, Edward was remembered for his kindness and for his ability to make others laugh.

I loved this book because of the way it makes you think about your own life and the goals you have for yourself. Edward's story is a tribute to how our past challenges shape us into the people we are today, as well as how we decide to react to barriers we face.