Study Tools
Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by American author Daniel Wallace is a modern example of magical realism that was published in 1998
. At its center are Edward and William Bloom, father and son, whose troubled relationship is riddled with outrageous tall tales told by Edward and recalled by Will. A few stories are realistic truths, some are exaggerations, and many are outright lies. The tales include vicious beasts, a humble giant, a magic glass eye, a devoted wife, a dedicated doctor, and a dreamlike town called Specter. Made into a film by director Tim Burton in 2003, Big Fish blurs the line between fantasy and reality and questions what it means to live—and die.Read a full book summary, a full book analysis, and explanations of important quotes from Big Fish.