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Little Big Man

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"Littel Big Man" by Thomas Berger is a historical fiction novel set in the Wild West, following the life of Jack Crabb, a man who was raised by Cheyenne Indians and later becomes a part of major historical events and encounters famous figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Gen. George Armstrong Custer. The book is described as a humorous and engaging tale that explores themes of identity, cultural clash, and survival in a witty and insightful manner, with a focus on the protagonist's journey between two different worlds.

Characters:

The characters are diverse, ranging from the complex and conflicted protagonist, Crabb, to culturally rich figures like Old Lodge Skins and well-known historical figures presented with personality and depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is both humorous and informative, utilizing a conversational tone that balances storytelling with insightful commentary about culture and history.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows Jack Crabb, raised by Cheyenne Indians, as he recounts his extraordinary but contentious life amidst significant historical events of the American West.

Setting:

The setting captures the transformative landscape of the American West during the 19th century, focusing on key historical events and cultural interactions.

Pacing:

The pacing is lively, sustained by engaging anecdotes and action, although some readers may find it episodic in nature.
My Pa had been a minister of the gospel in Evansville, Indiana. He didn’t have a regular church, but managed to talk some saloonkeeper into letting him use his place of a Sunday morning for services. ...

Notes:

Little Big Man is written by Thomas Berger and is set in the mid-19th century American West.
The main character, Jack Crabb, claims to have lived to be 111 years old.
Jack Crabb was captured by the Cheyenne after his family's wagon train is attacked.
The narrative is framed as Crabb's autobiography, with a ghostwriter named Ralph Snell.
Jack Crabb experiences many historical events and meets famous figures like Wild Bill Hickok and General Custer.
The book critiques the traditional portrayal of Native Americans and the American West, often using humor and satire.
It contrasts Crabb's experiences between Native American and white cultures, highlighting his ambivalence towards both.
Readers noted the differences between the book and the 1970 film adaptation, particularly in character portrayals and narrative focus.
The book mixes tall tales with historical insights, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes content that may be triggering, such as violence, racial conflict, and depictions of historical atrocities against Native Americans.

Has Romance?

There are elements of romance within the narrative, including Jack Crabb's relationships with women.

From The Publisher:

"The truth is always made up of little particulars which sound ridiculous when repeated." So says Jack Crabb, the 111-year-old narrator of Thomas Berger's 1964 masterpiece of American fiction, Little Big Man. Berger claimed the Western as serious literature with this savage and epic account of one man's extraordinary double life.

After surviving the massacre of his pioneer family, ten-year-old Jack is adopted by an Indian chief who nicknames him Little Big Man. As a Cheyenne, he feasts on dog, loves four wives, and sees his people butchered by horse soldiers commanded by General George Armstrong Custer. Later, living as a white man once more, he hunts the buffalo to near-extinction, tangles with Wyatt Earp, cheats Wild Bill Hickok, and fights in the Battle of Little Bighorn alongside Custer himself-a man he'd sworn to kill. Hailed by The Nation as "a seminal event," Little Big Man is a singular literary achievement that, like its hero, only gets better with age.

Praise for Little Big Man

"An epic such as Mark Twain might have given us."-Henry Miller

"The very best novel ever about the American West."-The New York Times Book Review

"Spellbinding . . . [Crabb] surely must be one of the most delightfully absurd fictional fossils ever unearthed."-Time

"Superb . . . Berger's success in capturing the points of view and emotional atmosphere of a vanished era is uncanny. His skill in characterization, his narrative power and his somewhat cynical humor are all outstanding."-The New York Times

Ratings (4)

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Loved It (3)

Reader Stats (10):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (4)
Not Interested (2)
 
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