This unique story caught me off guard. The story of Gabriel Fisher, an unusually large child (and then man) is told in the voices of multiple narrators, but not his own. Rather, Gabriel’s remarkable life is told from the point of view of the people whose life was most affected by him. Here is my book review Life & Death & Giants by Ron Rindo.

Rural Wisconsin

The story is based in rural Lakota Wisconsin, home to a large Amish community. Lakota is also a Midwest town of “English” residents including the local veterinarian, a local bar owner, and a local high school football coach.

When Veterinarian Tom Kennedy is forced to deliver a baby it is the largest baby Kennedy has ever seen. The size of the child takes the life of the mother, a local Amish women named Rachel who has been shunned from the community due to giving birth out of wedlock. The baby, Gabriel will be raised by his older brother, until the brother unexpectedly takes his own life.

This is when Josiah and Hannah Fisher, parents of Rachel, will take the child to raise. It is Hannah’s greatest joy to have the child of her beloved daughter in her home.

Giant

Gabriel is a giant in body, towering over every other child and adult as he grows. But he is also a giant in heart, athleticism and kindness. Everyone who know Gabriel loves him. He is a star little league player and later a star high school and college football player. Even when a horrific accident ends his football career, Gabriel finds a way.

Throughout Gabriel’s unique existence he transitions between the Amish life and the English world. He travels widely, finds love and his successful beyond his dreams.

Back Home

Hannah Fisher is meanwhile discovering some terrible family secrets that have her questioning her family and her faith and even her marriage. When Gabriel is diagnosed with a brain tumor, he returns home when the community – Amish and English alike -come together to care for him. Gabriel learns some dark secrets about his father, but also embraces the idea that he too is a father. All while dying. In the end, as Gabriel takes his final breaths, a miracle will occur that will make believers find faith again, and make non-believers question everything they think.

Book Review Life & Death & Giants by Ron Rindo

A moving yet somewhat strange story of faith, family, secrets and fortune. Rindo creates an eclectic but well crafted collection of characters in this novel while exploring the question of miracles around us.

Thank you for reading my book review Life & Death & Giants by Ron Rindo. See last week’s book review The Blackthorn Women by Jess Laurey.

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