Little Big Man by Katy Regan

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Mantle; Main Market edition (19 April 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1509854134
• ISBN-13: 978-1509854134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

You can’t see the truth from the outside, that’s what I’ve worked out.

Ten-year-old Zac has never met his dad, who allegedly did a runner before he was born. But when his mum lets slip that he’s the only man she’s ever loved, Zac turns detective and, roping in his best friend, hatches a plan to find his father and give his mum the happy-ever-after she deserves. What he doesn’t realize, though, is that sometimes people have good reasons for disappearing . . .

Little Big Man is a story about family secrets and fierce, familial love. It’s about growing up and being accepted; grief and lies, and the damage they can do. Most of all though, it’s about a little boy determined to hunt down the truth; a boy who wants to give the Dad he’s never met a second chance to be a father – and his mum a second chance at love.

 

Review

Little Big Man is one of those rare books that make me just go ‘wow’.  This is such a beautiful, emotional and life affirming book that covers so many of life’s difficult issues; death, divorce, being a single parent, grief, secrets and regrets.  The book is narrated by three of the main characters; 10yr old Zac, his mother Juliet and her father Mick.  The plot follows Zac, who with his best friend Teagan, decides to find out where his father is and bring him and his mum back together.  Juliet and Mick fill in the gaps in the story of how and why Zac’s father left.

Katy Reagan excels in her writing, especially in the voice of Zac.  She seems to have a real understanding of a ten year olds view on the world, his acceptance of what he is told and his simplified look at the world.  Zac is a wonderful character, very resilient, he is loving to his family and wants to protect them from any hurt that may come of finding his dad, and his friendship with Teagan is endearing.  Juliet is going through all the emotions all parents face.  She blames herself for Zac’s bullying, which is due to their love of food, and feels she should have done more.  Juliet is facing her own battles with weight, and having to deal on a daily basis with her mother’s grief for her brother Jamie who died soon after Zac was born, and she feels guilt that she loves Liam when he was involved in her brother’s death.  Mick is Zac’s grandad, and Zac is the reason he gave up alcohol after years of being an alcoholic.  Zac is the apple of his eye, he wants to do with him everything he missed with his own children.  Mick has his own troubles in having to deal daily with grief for his son and through him we learn the history to what happened ten years ago that disrupted all their lives.  All three characters have very different and distinctive voices and give layers to this story; different viewpoints to what happened in the past but also to Zac’s search for his father.

Little Big Man is such an emotive book, it will make you laugh, cry, and will pull at your heart strings.  At it’s centre is the love of a family and the effect of secrets kept and lies told.  This is beautifully written, poignant and funny, simply a stunning novel.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review of  Little Big Man.  All your likes and follows are greatly appreciated.