Giant

A Novel

By: Edna Ferber

Narrated by: Courtney Patterson

The basis for the classic film starring James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson, Giant is Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edna Ferber's sweeping generational tale of power, love, cattle barons, and oil tycoons, set in Texas during the first half of the twentieth century.

When larger-than-life cattle rancher Jordan "Bick" Benedict arrives at the family home of sharp-witted but genteel Virginia socialite Leslie Lynnton to purchase a racehorse, the two are instantly drawn to each other. But for Leslie, falling in love with a Texan was a lot simpler than falling in love with Texas. Upon their arrival at Bick's ranch, Leslie is confronted not only with the oppressive heat and vastness of Texas but also by the disturbing inequity between runaway riches and the poverty and racism suffered by the Mexican workers on the ranch. Leslie and Bick's loving union endures against all odds, but a reckoning is coming and a price will have to be paid.

A sensational and enthralling saga, Ferber masterfully captures the essence of Texas with all its wealth and excess, cruelty and prejudice, pride and violence.

Forget the movie and you won’t be disappointed

I have watched the movie GIANT several times over the years and finally decided after watching it recently this would be a great time to listen to the novel. Although I do like the detail of the novel that of course can’t be portrayed in the movie I was disappointed in the ending. I actually felt like the ending of the movie was better. The novel is much better when it comes to the details of the characters lives and the additional characters that were actually in it. The reading was OK but I felt like the narrator had not grasped the proper inflections and nuances in the conversations.

Texans Beware

Loved the movie so thought I’d try the book-always better obviously! The reader did a pretty good job with the accents and keeping one interested, however this story is based in Texas, and as a Texan I think the reader could have researched word pronunciation better rather than guessing. There should have been a list of words/names pulled from the book to study. Mispronouncing our rivers, cities and even our heroes is a big no no. For a book all about Texas land, Texas style/way, and what we call state of mind, you just would’ve thought that hearing these words and names correctly would be a given. Sadly no. I heard so many in this read. Just a few examples; Mexia, Pecos, Jim Bowie-the list goes on.. Easy mistakes-but unnerving to a Texan all the same. I might be nit picking, but don’t come to Texas if you don’t like this review, we’ll tear you apart.

Would recommend reading though!

Author’s descriptions.

I didn’t like the way the author ended the story. It was like she was just tired and decided to pull the plug!
Jet wasn’t fully portrayed in the book as he was in the movie. I liked the movie better.

Still Timely

So glad to have read this finally. The topics and issues covered and questions raised are remarkably current. Its both amazing and depressing how much has not changed and is still being fought even today. An excellent opportunity to learn and understand the many seeds that have led us to today.

Perfect! Just perfect!

Loved listening as I read along with my copy of GIANT. Been reading books set in Texas this month as I traveled around West Texas for my anniversary and this one was my favorite!