" Edna Ferber, like James Michener, seemed to glory in writing historical
melodramas. In “Giant” she single-handedly takes on Texas. Her bigger than life
characters (of whom she believes Texas is made) are unforgetable: Bick Benedict, the cattle
baron, and his beautiful wife Leslie from Virginia gentry; Jett Rink, the irrascible
youngster who finally strikes oil and becomes obsessed with revenge; Bick's sister Luz and
other assorted relatives; to all the other lesser characters--unique that they are! It is
Ferber's view on how Texas became Texas. She steers us through the whole complexity of
West Texas life--especially the Riata, the never-ending Benedict ranch. She also takes time
to address many social issues, especially the treatment of migrant workers and the social
discrimination of the time.
"
Bill Hobbs, Resident Scholar
"Giant uses a sweeping, involving narrative to describe the character of Texas from the 1930's through the 1950's. During this period, Texas developed from a farm and ranch economy to an economy strongly identified with the greal oil boom. The story is told through the characters of Texas millionair rancher Bick Benedict, a lordly land owner, who marries a spirited and intelligent Virgina girl, Leslie. Leslie questions the Texas life style throughout her life on the ranch, but, in the end, finally credits Bick with having developed some sensitivity and wisdom concerning the racial and economic problems they encountered in twenty five years in Texas.
This is an engrossing book with clearly drawn forceful characters. "
, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of Giant
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book?
- thoughtful
Time/era of story
- 1930's-1950's
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Outside culture (society)
- American Texas
Ethnic/regional/gender life
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
- Female
Profession/status:
- business executive
- wealthy
Age:
- 20's-30's
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- natural phenomena
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- wealthy
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
- throughout most of the book.
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- bulging muscles
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 7 (a good amount)
United States
Yes
The US:
- Texas
Farm/Ranch?
Yes
Misc setting
- fancy mansion
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
- significantly more descript than dialog
