Giant audiobook

I finished this sweeping novel of Texas while on an airplane, bound for my first visit to that great state. I had earlier sent a call out to my friends, asking what one should read before one's first trip to Texas, and when I saw that this suggestion was written by the author of So Big, a novel I loved, I knew I'd found a winner.I was right.Giant is absolutely a tale of Texas in the earlier part of this century, shortly after the Great War. It's a tale of ranches and cattle, dust and mesquite, Mexicans and Americans. We learn Texas history, geography and lore through the eyes of Leslie, a Virginian, the new bride of the famous rancher Bick Benedict. Leslie is a thinker, a talker, a reader - thirsty for knowledge and meaning, and constantly driving her husband crazy with her endless questioning.I loved this book as a study of a marriage - East married to West, a thinking woman and a hard-working man and how they try to find a place of harmony in the land that he's crazy about and she's trying to fit herself into without loosing the woman that she is.Ferber is a master at her art, the writing is of the kind that I read with a pen in hand, reading phrases and paragraphs twice to let the beauty of an idea or description really sink in. Sometimes it reminded me vaguely of Austen, some of the characters caricatures of the embittered old ranch madama, the rancher's daughter, the clucking hordes of unthinking cattle wives and the Stetson headed county commissioner. But, like in Austen, it rings true and gives and interesting offset and comparison to the main characters.Okay, I'm gushing. I loved it. The beginning confused me a bit with lots of characters, but after a few chapters we go back in time to an earlier part of the story and I loved piecing it all together. If I wasn't already on my way to that state, I'd want to be.

I loved this older novel that was one of our library book club reads. Written by a Pulitzer Prize winning author, it’s a sweeping, multi-generational story that begins with a rich Texas cattle baron falling in love with a genteel, yet educated and opinionated Virginia belle, when he visits their plantation to buy a race horse. Bringing his new bride home to Texas, she must not only get used to a new husband, but to a completely new way of living on the cattle ranch, and as the years pass, to the oil tycoons who threaten to change their way of life. As she settles into her new life, she becomes aware of how the Mexicans that work on the ranch are treated, with low pay, poor medical care and deplorable living conditions. Themes that are explored include wealth and privilege, prejudice, racism, family dynamics. As a bonus, it was interesting to watch the companion Oscar winning movie, Giant, with screen legends Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean, filmed in the late 1950’s. I also came across a recent documentary of the making of the movie, which was also quite interesting.

4.75 Stars I remember watching Giant with my mother some twenty or thirty years ago, and I loved, loved the movie. Rock Hudson as Jordan "Bick" Benedict, Elizabeth Taylor as Leslie Lynnton Benedict, and James Dean as Jett Rink; what an incredible cast. And despite Edna Ferber's descriptions of these characters, I could only see the actor's images as I read Giant. The novel does deviate somewhat from the movie: the beginning is the movie's ending and there is more to the Jett/Leslie angle, rather than the novel's stating that Jett had "a thing" for Leslie from the beginning. Ferber doesn't show this, so as a reader I really couldn't suspend my disbelief on that fact. Ferber didn't show me that relationship. And I deducted a quarter star from my rating because of it. Yes, Jett's motive for his revenge is crystal clear, and Jordan Benedict's hatred of Jett Rink is also clearly defined.Giant should be read a bit slow because Ferber fills her lovely prose with such detailed descriptions I could feel the winds, smell the mesquite, see the oasis-es on the highway, and so on. As with Margaret Mitchell'sGone with the Wind, Edna Ferber is making a statement in Giant as well as telling a wonderful story. Ferber hates the giant cattle ranches that are actually fiefdoms, with the Big Man controlling his "people." Instead of Tara's slaves, we have the Mexicans. They are paid rather substandard wages, live in horrid shanties, treated like children as well as made to walk. Walk! Only Mexicans walk." Bick's Virginian bride has her own ideas. I don’t think Texas is free at all. Free, the way you said it was. I’ve been here two days and every natural thing I’ve said and done has been forbidden. I’m not reproaching you. I’m just stating a fact that astonishes me. Speaking to the employees as if they were human beings like myself. Wanting to wear pretty clothes in my home. Not liking to eat out of skulls. There are—I’m warning you—certain things I’m going to do, Luz or no Luz.” “Such as what?” “I told you yesterday.” Indeed, Leslie told Bick Benedict. And Texas, the Giant, is free unless you happen to be a Mexican. She helps Jordan Benedict to see them as people and some twenty-five years later, Bick realizes that owning 2 and 1/2 Million acres is obscene. But the discrimination never leaves and eventually touches the great Benedicts. The book blurb only hints at this magnificent story. This sweeping tale captures the essence of Texas on a staggering scale as it chronicles the life and times of cattleman Jordan "Bick" Benedict, his naive young society wife, Leslie, and three generations of land-rich sons. A sensational story of power, love, cattle barons, and oil tycoons.

Blows the movie out of the water. It's a much more cogent, penetrating, and pessimistic critique of Texas, and American, society and culture. One might almost call it cynical. The characters are much more sharply drawn, without the Hollywood softening to make them more acceptable to Peoria. The women aren't quite as beautiful and the men are not nearly as heroic.The social critique of the founding of Texas is presented in greater detail and depth than in the film, and the treatment of the Mexican-Americans is more brutal and realistic. In economic and social terms, Ferber is prophetic. I kept wondering if she had had a vision of the Bush years and our political situation today.

Outstanding. I have a feeling there will be a few packages from www.abebooks.com heading to my house, with Edna Ferber books inside.The film version of Giant has been one of my favorite movies since high school, when I was in my James Dean phase/TBS frequently showed it of a Sunday afternoon. I think I even read the book back then, but reading a book in high school and reading it as an adult are two very different experiences.Edna Ferber's writing is so different from what I've been reading lately. At first, I thought it was a little awkward; she doesn't use many commas, and likes to string several adjectives or nouns together. But as I kept reading, I fell more in love with her writing and the book. Describing the ostentatiousness of Jett Rink's hotel, in which everything is branded with his initials: "Downstairs and upstairs, inside and out, on awnings carpets couches chairs desks rugs; towels linen; metal cloth wood china glass, the brand JR was stamped etched embroidered embossed woven painted inlaid." It's hard to even type that, my hands want to put in the commas, but how much stronger it is when it's written that way. My favorite piece of writing comes toward the end of the book, when Ferber is describing the modern goods in the city store windows and refers to "the most acquisitive of vacuum cleaners." That's just gorgeous; I love that phrase.If you've seen the movie, it is pretty faithful to the book, the biggest change being restoring the Jett Rink airport/hotel party to its chronologically correct place (it's at the beginning of the book). It's the story of a completely different way of life. We are meant to share Leslie's view as an outsider, and be confused, appalled, and enamored with the many aspects of Texas ranching life. The fantastic ballsy egos of the men and women who live there, and how those egos help them survive the tough conditions but blind them to any opposing viewpoints. It's also interesting to read this some 50 years later and realize how the once seemingly forward thinking ideas of Bob Dietz are what probably unintentionally led to the horrible factory farming and agri-business nightmare we have today. Back then, it just seemed like the romantic death of the romanticized "cowboy" way of life that Bick and his neighbors represent. The ending does leave you wanting more. I fell asleep after finishing it by imagining what would happen to each of the characters. Ask me, and I'll tell you what I dreamed up.

This was a rip roaring all American novel worthy of its five star rating. It starts off with a big Texas party and then goes into the past when the main characters Jordan and Leslie meet. Granted that it was written in the early 1950's it still has men and women in their stereotypical roles. There was no gender equality in this story and in certain parts it definately screams out. But aside from that, it is mostly a novel of Texas. And in Texas people do things bigger. At times Ferber's writing made me feel as though I was expirencing the ranch land first hand.Another prickly issue in this story was about the Mexican people. I had a hard time with this part because part of my family is Mexican. This might be a bit spoilerish... It is the same issue that the Original People have dealt with all over the world. Different people come in and claim the land. And in doing so the Orignal People get treated badly and lose many of the wonderful things they once cherished.But you have to look at the story this way, it was written in Mid Century America when many things were done differently. If it were written today it would have a completly different feel to it.I am glad I took the time to read this one.

This book was amazing. Well probably I'm biased, but it had all the elements I love in a well told story. The characters were  flawed, complex, likable and interesting to read about. The story lasted more that 25 years and it was interesting to see how people changed or some things stayed very constant. And next to amazing characters there was Texas so vast and unlike the rest of America. Of course I can't judge if that's true, but still. I loved this glimpse in Texas history, "traditions" and people mentality in that particular period of time so unlike compared to everything I have read about.Simply amazing, interesting and well written story.

** spoiler alert ** I had seen the movie twice and really admired it the second time around--great performances, well-written, and the photography of the endless Texas prairie was breathtaking. It's plain to see from the first chapter that the movie was an excellent adaptation of Ferber's book, although I'm disappointed in her. She doesn't quite pace her storytelling very well here. She spends copious pages showing us the early marriage of Leslie and Bick Benedict, how his staunch Texas idealism clashes with her Virginia liberalism, and while that's all fun and well-done, Ferber rushes through more fascinating circumstances in their lives in the last 100 pages as if she just got tired of keeping up so much with these characters, but I wasn't tired of it! I would have liked to see Bick's reaction to Jordy's announcement that he had married Juana instead of catch back up with them all years after the fact. I wanted to see what ultimately happened with Jett Rink at the airport terminal opening and whether Leslie ever chooses to tell Bick about the discrimination they experienced at the lunch counter. Alas, Giant is all setup and no real climax or resolution. I don't ask for these things in every book I read, but this particular one was leading up to these elements and never gave them to us. Ferber's a great writer, however, and I look forward to reading her other books.

I've watched the movie many times. It was fun to read it and get some background info the movie left out. I was surprised that the book takes a much more critical view of Texas than the movie.

"Giant" is an epic story of the Benedict family, wealthy Texas ranchers. Through the prism of their lives we observe the socio-economic changes that took place in the southern United States in the first half of the XXth century, alongside the great fortunes born of oil, racism and the increasingly conflicting generational conflict. In this 400 pages book, the old goes away, giving way to the younger, more liberal generation, who will soon pick up the baton.The action takes place in Texas in the first half of the XXth century. Jordan "Bick" Benedict, owner of a huge farm in Texas, comes to Maryland to buy a horse. There he meets the charming daughter of the breeder, Leslie, and almost immediately falls in love with her. The young get married and go to live in Bick's hometown. The idyllic life of the young couple is disturbed by a local cowboy - Jett Rink.Although it may already be somewhat anachronistic, the formula of the saga we get here is full of verve and dynamism in painting the color and mood of the times depicted. According to the title, we are dealing with a real colossus, full of pride and characteristic, but unobtrusive, pathos. Melodramatism clashes here with dilemmas straight from the ancient tragedy, and Texas landscapes bathed in the merciless sun move us to a place where in fact a different "state of mind" seems to prevail."Giant"? Why such a title? Giant is a symbol of energy, power, belligerence, prudence, but also vanity, ruthlessness, egoism, greed, rebellion, hypocrisy and pride. Does this description remind us of anyone? I think the title is a bit perverse and refers to the character of Jett, who is seemingly strong, hard, invincible, but actually really weak.

It’s rare that a book is both deeply educational and immensely entertaining. This book by (for some reason now little-known) Edna Ferber hits on the money for both counts. Come for the hijinks of Texas cattle ranching society, stay for the astute (but never preachy) descriptions of Texan/Mexican history, the Texas landscape, and a portrait of a family tied to their land and a woman smart beyond her years who tests those bonds. Lush, beautiful page turner of a book. I learned a TON about Texas in Ferber’s capable hands.

I've reread this book several times and it always makes me cry. Texas, West, Texas, will always be my home. Ferber's words immortalized the true mortality of what it means to be blessed enough to be a part of the Lone Star State. I've always wanted to be a part of a group that breaks down the text into a book study. It would be interesting to see which character everyone connects with the most.