What do you think?
Rate this book
Life, and Death, and Giants
"With Life, and Death, and Giants, Ron Rindo has performed literary magic. This is a remarkable, profoundly moving novel." –Larry Watson, author of Montana 1948
A heart too big for this world.
A life that changes everyone.
Gabriel Fisher was born an orphan, weighing eighteen pounds and measuring twenty-seven inches long. No one in Lakota, Wisconsin, knows what to make of him. He walks at eight months, communicates with animals, and seems to possess extraordinary athletic talent. But when the older brother who has been caring for him dies, Gabriel is taken in by his devout Amish grandparents who disapprove of all the attention and hide him away from the English world.
But it’s hard to hide forever when you’re nearly eight feet tall. At seventeen, Gabriel is spotted working in a hay field by the local football coach. What happens next transforms not only Gabriel’s life but the lives of everyone he meets.
Life, and Death, and Giants is a moving story of faith, family, buried secrets, and everyday miracles.
A heart too big for this world.
A life that changes everyone.
Gabriel Fisher was born an orphan, weighing eighteen pounds and measuring twenty-seven inches long. No one in Lakota, Wisconsin, knows what to make of him. He walks at eight months, communicates with animals, and seems to possess extraordinary athletic talent. But when the older brother who has been caring for him dies, Gabriel is taken in by his devout Amish grandparents who disapprove of all the attention and hide him away from the English world.
But it’s hard to hide forever when you’re nearly eight feet tall. At seventeen, Gabriel is spotted working in a hay field by the local football coach. What happens next transforms not only Gabriel’s life but the lives of everyone he meets.
Life, and Death, and Giants is a moving story of faith, family, buried secrets, and everyday miracles.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2025
81 people are currently reading
17126 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
September 3, 2025
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog
I loved this book so much. It's about an unmarried Amish woman who gives birth to an eighteen-pound baby (and I thought my babies were big at nine and eleven pounds) and dies shortly afterward. The baby, Gabriel, is raised by his older brother and then his grandparents. Gabriel is a gentle giant. He has a wonderful way with animals and is supremely athletic. As a result, he emerges from his shell and ventures into the world beyond his Amish community. He attends high school and even becomes a professional athlete. The book is told from the point of view of the vet who helped deliver him, his grandma, one of the locals, and his football coach.
This is one of the most profoundly moving and beautifully written stories I have ever read. From the very first page, Gabriel captured my heart and held on. Rindo wove a very human story. The idea to tell Gabriel's story through the people in his community was brilliant. It was a wonderful way to gain a multilayered perspective on how one person can impact the multitudes around them. Gabriel's story is a moving tale of faith, family, and community, but it is also about one remarkable individual. This is a book that will make you believe in the goodness of others and will stay with me for a very long time. An absolute must-read and an easy choice for All. The. Stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
I loved this book so much. It's about an unmarried Amish woman who gives birth to an eighteen-pound baby (and I thought my babies were big at nine and eleven pounds) and dies shortly afterward. The baby, Gabriel, is raised by his older brother and then his grandparents. Gabriel is a gentle giant. He has a wonderful way with animals and is supremely athletic. As a result, he emerges from his shell and ventures into the world beyond his Amish community. He attends high school and even becomes a professional athlete. The book is told from the point of view of the vet who helped deliver him, his grandma, one of the locals, and his football coach.
This is one of the most profoundly moving and beautifully written stories I have ever read. From the very first page, Gabriel captured my heart and held on. Rindo wove a very human story. The idea to tell Gabriel's story through the people in his community was brilliant. It was a wonderful way to gain a multilayered perspective on how one person can impact the multitudes around them. Gabriel's story is a moving tale of faith, family, and community, but it is also about one remarkable individual. This is a book that will make you believe in the goodness of others and will stay with me for a very long time. An absolute must-read and an easy choice for All. The. Stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
September 6, 2025
What a wonderful book. It is full of BIG Characters with many moving scenes. Gabriel Fisher was born to an unwed Amish mother who would not name his father. She was shunned and cast out and unfortunately did not survive his birth. Gabriel has always been big - he was eighteen pounds and measuring twenty-seven inches at his birth. He continues to grow throughout this book as do the many characters who encounter him.
When Gabriel's older brother who is taking care of him dies, he moves in with this Amish Grandparents. Gabriel has always been big and as a teenager catches the eye of a local football coach in need of a second chance. As Gabriel's life changes once again, so do the lives of those he touches.
I enjoyed the emphasis on change, on community, on faith, on sports, on personal growth, on relationships, on love, and on family secrets. I found this book to be well thought out, moving, wonderfully written, gripping, and thought provoking. I enjoyed the fleshed-out characters, they are flawed, they hurt, they are good, they are supportive, and they make mistakes. Gabriel will capture your heart as will those in his life who rally around him and cheer him on in his life.
This is a book which will stay with me for some time. It is one that I picked due to the title but loved due to the storytelling. Do yourself a favor and give this book a read!
Gripping, moving, hard to put down and heartwarming!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
When Gabriel's older brother who is taking care of him dies, he moves in with this Amish Grandparents. Gabriel has always been big and as a teenager catches the eye of a local football coach in need of a second chance. As Gabriel's life changes once again, so do the lives of those he touches.
I enjoyed the emphasis on change, on community, on faith, on sports, on personal growth, on relationships, on love, and on family secrets. I found this book to be well thought out, moving, wonderfully written, gripping, and thought provoking. I enjoyed the fleshed-out characters, they are flawed, they hurt, they are good, they are supportive, and they make mistakes. Gabriel will capture your heart as will those in his life who rally around him and cheer him on in his life.
This is a book which will stay with me for some time. It is one that I picked due to the title but loved due to the storytelling. Do yourself a favor and give this book a read!
Gripping, moving, hard to put down and heartwarming!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
September 11, 2025
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY 9/9/25!!!
Intriguing. Startling. Extraordinary. Moving...
This is the story about Gabriel Fisher, who was born unusually large to an unwed, shunned Amish mother, who doesn't survive his birth. He walks early, has an uncanny chemistry with animals, and an undeniable athletic ability that draws much attention. His growth continues to be off the charts, in fact, it seems Gabriel may never stop growing...
Life, Death, and Giants is told in alternating chapters through the perspective of the four main characters closest to Gabriel. My favorite chapters are those from Hannah Fisher, his Amish maternal grandmother, whose first-person narration is emotional, intimate, and enlightening. She's a standout character who opens her heart in the most unexpected ways.
This was an immersion read; the audiobook is narrated by Christina Moore, Johnny Heller, Roger Wayne, and Will Damron as the voices of the four main characters recounting this story. Each fits their character perfectly, making it an evocative and engaging listen. If you love listening to books, it's the way to go with this beautifully written story.
Life, and Death, and Giants is a special book that captured my heart and imagination—the way it's written, how the story unfolds, the mixture of characters, and how a community plays a significant part in Gabriel's life through unconditional love. I'm not sure I'll ever come across another book like this again, it's that unique. It's that good. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy a multi-generation story with a magical flare!!💫
5⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Ron Rindo for the gifted DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Intriguing. Startling. Extraordinary. Moving...
This is the story about Gabriel Fisher, who was born unusually large to an unwed, shunned Amish mother, who doesn't survive his birth. He walks early, has an uncanny chemistry with animals, and an undeniable athletic ability that draws much attention. His growth continues to be off the charts, in fact, it seems Gabriel may never stop growing...
Life, Death, and Giants is told in alternating chapters through the perspective of the four main characters closest to Gabriel. My favorite chapters are those from Hannah Fisher, his Amish maternal grandmother, whose first-person narration is emotional, intimate, and enlightening. She's a standout character who opens her heart in the most unexpected ways.
This was an immersion read; the audiobook is narrated by Christina Moore, Johnny Heller, Roger Wayne, and Will Damron as the voices of the four main characters recounting this story. Each fits their character perfectly, making it an evocative and engaging listen. If you love listening to books, it's the way to go with this beautifully written story.
Life, and Death, and Giants is a special book that captured my heart and imagination—the way it's written, how the story unfolds, the mixture of characters, and how a community plays a significant part in Gabriel's life through unconditional love. I'm not sure I'll ever come across another book like this again, it's that unique. It's that good. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy a multi-generation story with a magical flare!!💫
5⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Ron Rindo for the gifted DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 3, 2025
Such a beautiful story ❤️
Set in an Amish community in Wisconsin.
Hannah Fisher’s daughter Ruth lives alone with her son Jasper across the land from her Amish parents Hannah and Josiah.
Ruth has been banished from the church and community for many years since she was pregnant with Jasper. When this happens, the family is not supposed to interact with the family member anymore. Well, Ruth was the only child Hannah had in many years of marriage, so Ruth would sneak out to watch her from afar,, across the fields.
When Jasper is quite grown..Ruth is pregnant again.., she has never named the father of either child, with the second pregnancy she has grown so huge nothing fits. It looks like her skin will just burst open.. she goes into labor and Jasper drives her to the local veterinarian to deliver her in the back of his truck. She delivers a boy they name Gabriel, he is an 18 pound infant and very very long. She dies minutes later.
Jasper raises him and the vet, comes by and helps often.
As Gabriel grows, there is just something about him, all the farm animals just come right to him and people just love him.
Also as he grows he is recruited into baseball, then football at an older age and becomes famous.
There is a tragedy then and I will leave any other info for the reader to find out.
This author has written beautifully about nature, the Amish community, all the other characters in town who helped in Gabriel’s life and upbringing.
I just loved this so much!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the ARC!
Available Sep 9th
September 4, 2025
This author's writing spoke to my heart. This story is told with such extraordinary tenderness and compassion, and it will linger in my thoughts for a very long time.
Shunned by her Amish community in Lakota, Wisconsin, Rachel Fisher lives on her own and gives birth to an 18 lb., 27" baby boy. Orphaned at birth and not knowing who his father is, Gabriel Fisher ends up being raised by his older brother, his Amish grandparents, and the local veterinarian who delivered him. Over the years, Gabriel rapidly grows to become a giant in height and weight. He spends his entire life trying to fit in; both literally and figuratively. However, no matter his size or where he went, he was loved by animals and people alike.
Each chapter is told by either Gabriel's grandmother, the country vet, the local bar owner, or the high school football coach. In the telling, this story talks about the beliefs and lives of the Amish and how they contrast with those outside their community. But it also sheds light on the dichotomy between the beauty of nature, literature, and art, and the grit and fervor of contact sports like football and wrestling.
I couldn't wait to get back to reading this book. I wanted to ignore everything else I had to do. I became immersed in these character's lives and by the end, all of them had come to feel like friends, neighbors, or family members to me.
Ultimately, I absolutely adored this heartfelt story about love and friendship. I anticipate that readers are going to fall in love with Gabriel, and his story too. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know. This is definitely a five-star read and one that is going to show up on many readers list of favorites. I know that it will be on mine. This is a book that you don't want to miss.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC of this fabulous novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Shunned by her Amish community in Lakota, Wisconsin, Rachel Fisher lives on her own and gives birth to an 18 lb., 27" baby boy. Orphaned at birth and not knowing who his father is, Gabriel Fisher ends up being raised by his older brother, his Amish grandparents, and the local veterinarian who delivered him. Over the years, Gabriel rapidly grows to become a giant in height and weight. He spends his entire life trying to fit in; both literally and figuratively. However, no matter his size or where he went, he was loved by animals and people alike.
Each chapter is told by either Gabriel's grandmother, the country vet, the local bar owner, or the high school football coach. In the telling, this story talks about the beliefs and lives of the Amish and how they contrast with those outside their community. But it also sheds light on the dichotomy between the beauty of nature, literature, and art, and the grit and fervor of contact sports like football and wrestling.
I couldn't wait to get back to reading this book. I wanted to ignore everything else I had to do. I became immersed in these character's lives and by the end, all of them had come to feel like friends, neighbors, or family members to me.
Ultimately, I absolutely adored this heartfelt story about love and friendship. I anticipate that readers are going to fall in love with Gabriel, and his story too. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know. This is definitely a five-star read and one that is going to show up on many readers list of favorites. I know that it will be on mine. This is a book that you don't want to miss.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC of this fabulous novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 1, 2025
I received a free copy of, Life, and Death, and Giants, by Ron Rindo, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Gabriel Fisher was born weighing 18 lbs, in Wisconsin, to an Amish mother. Before he is an adult, Gabriel is almost 8 feet tall. This was an interesting story of a man who was tall.
April 6, 2025
"Life, and Death, and Giants" weaves an extraordinary tale that will tug at your heart strings and make you fall in love with the characters. This captivating novel follows the remarkable life of Gabriel Fisher, an Amish child born at a staggering eighteen pounds and twenty-seven inches, whose extraordinary physical abilities and connection with animals mark him as something beyond ordinary.
Multiple narrators are used to tell Gabriel's story, each offering a unique perspective. Doc Kennedy, the veterinarian who delivers Gabriel, becomes an unexpected mentor and bridge between worlds. Hannah Fisher, Gabriel's grandmother, provides emotional depth through her struggles with faith and loss. Billy Walton and Trey Beathard round out the perspectives, offering insights into how Gabriel's existence affects both Amish and English communities.
What I loved about this novel was the blend of fantastical elements of Gabriel's life with genuine human emotion. I also enjoyed learning more about the Amish and the impact the Amish culture had on each of the characters. This book did make me cry and not just a little. There were also some difficult topics in this book. Overall though, it left me with the a sense of how strong people can be and can really come together in times of need. A very remarkable book that anyone will enjoy.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Multiple narrators are used to tell Gabriel's story, each offering a unique perspective. Doc Kennedy, the veterinarian who delivers Gabriel, becomes an unexpected mentor and bridge between worlds. Hannah Fisher, Gabriel's grandmother, provides emotional depth through her struggles with faith and loss. Billy Walton and Trey Beathard round out the perspectives, offering insights into how Gabriel's existence affects both Amish and English communities.
What I loved about this novel was the blend of fantastical elements of Gabriel's life with genuine human emotion. I also enjoyed learning more about the Amish and the impact the Amish culture had on each of the characters. This book did make me cry and not just a little. There were also some difficult topics in this book. Overall though, it left me with the a sense of how strong people can be and can really come together in times of need. A very remarkable book that anyone will enjoy.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 4, 2025
⭐⭐⭐.5
Pre-Read Notes:
I am not at all embarrassed to say that I grabbed this book from Netgalley because of the title and cover art!
"Falling in love with a married woman, Amish at that, was the deadest of dead ends. It was absurd to contemplate anything more than friendship. Still, he kept seeing the gentle curve of Hannah’s jawline backlit by sunlight, the elegant wisps of hair that had escaped her kapp and fell loosely down her neck, the deep mahogany brown of her eyes as she listened or spoke, her voice gentle, her words earnest and thoughtful. He felt her thin, muscular fingers entwined in his own, the palms of their hands pressed together." p232
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) This is a story about Gabriel, a person with gigantism, probably due to a gland disorder, though the author never discusses Gabriel's size in a medical sense. And she calls him a giant throughout the book. So she leans into a trope with a long ableist history and doesn't separate her story from that history. While she never uses the word "giant" to refer to anything but the character's size (never temperament, attractiveness, or humanity), she doesn't attempt to subvert that ableist tradition even though it would have been easy to do. For one thing, she could have given the main character his own perspective, instead of depicting him through the varying gazes of the people around him.
I liked the religious aspect of this story, as I learned a lot about Amish culture. It added some great tension. However, I think developing so many narrative strands diluted the story about Gabriel.
The form of this one is interesting, with the story about the main character, Gabriel, being narrated by all the secondary characters. I think it says something about how people in relationships affect each other's choices, for better or worse.
This book is worth reading, but hard to recommend. I would suggest it to fans of Amish or religious/spiritual stories, sports stories, and stories based on true events. Honestly this book doesn't remind me of any other book I ever read, so I can't think up a fair comparison!
My Favorite Things:
✔️ The descriptions in this book are absolutely gorgeous.
✔️ "Life, and Death, and Giants— Such as These— are still— Minor— Apparatus— Hopper of the Mill— Beetle at the Candle— Or a Fife’s Fame— Maintain— by Accident that they proclaim——EMILY DICKINSON" p7 I love the repeated use of Emily Dickenson's poems to anchor this text. It needed this thread for cohesion.
✔️ "Gabriel Fisher didn’t just alter our expectations for success that season; anyone who saw him play knows this is no exaggeration: he did things on the field no one will ever see again." p122 I loved the sports subplot all through this book. I wish it had been a little more developed!
✔️ "In my duress, I could not speak. I could not make sense of my own confusion. I’d heard thousands of people cheering for my beloved grandson, saw them on their feet as if in worship, singing his name. I swelled with pride, of course. Who would not? All his life, Gabriel had been larger than the life he had inhabited, always eager to display the strength of the giant body he’d been given. And now it seemed that Gabriel’s destiny had revealed itself at last. He had been gifted vast riches; he had sold them for useless dust." p220 The religious aspect of this book fascinated me, as I know very little about Amish culture. I learned some here! It was also a surprisingly great source of story tensions, as Rindo is unafraid to dive deep into the thoughts and motivations of his Amish characters.
Content Notes: cruelty to animals, severe sports injury, amputation, prosthesis, disability, ableism, religion, patriarchy, verbal abuse,
Thank you to Ron Rindo, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of LIFE AND DEATH AND GIANTS. All views are mine.
Pre-Read Notes:
I am not at all embarrassed to say that I grabbed this book from Netgalley because of the title and cover art!
"Falling in love with a married woman, Amish at that, was the deadest of dead ends. It was absurd to contemplate anything more than friendship. Still, he kept seeing the gentle curve of Hannah’s jawline backlit by sunlight, the elegant wisps of hair that had escaped her kapp and fell loosely down her neck, the deep mahogany brown of her eyes as she listened or spoke, her voice gentle, her words earnest and thoughtful. He felt her thin, muscular fingers entwined in his own, the palms of their hands pressed together." p232
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) This is a story about Gabriel, a person with gigantism, probably due to a gland disorder, though the author never discusses Gabriel's size in a medical sense. And she calls him a giant throughout the book. So she leans into a trope with a long ableist history and doesn't separate her story from that history. While she never uses the word "giant" to refer to anything but the character's size (never temperament, attractiveness, or humanity), she doesn't attempt to subvert that ableist tradition even though it would have been easy to do. For one thing, she could have given the main character his own perspective, instead of depicting him through the varying gazes of the people around him.
I liked the religious aspect of this story, as I learned a lot about Amish culture. It added some great tension. However, I think developing so many narrative strands diluted the story about Gabriel.
The form of this one is interesting, with the story about the main character, Gabriel, being narrated by all the secondary characters. I think it says something about how people in relationships affect each other's choices, for better or worse.
This book is worth reading, but hard to recommend. I would suggest it to fans of Amish or religious/spiritual stories, sports stories, and stories based on true events. Honestly this book doesn't remind me of any other book I ever read, so I can't think up a fair comparison!
My Favorite Things:
✔️ The descriptions in this book are absolutely gorgeous.
✔️ "Life, and Death, and Giants— Such as These— are still— Minor— Apparatus— Hopper of the Mill— Beetle at the Candle— Or a Fife’s Fame— Maintain— by Accident that they proclaim——EMILY DICKINSON" p7 I love the repeated use of Emily Dickenson's poems to anchor this text. It needed this thread for cohesion.
✔️ "Gabriel Fisher didn’t just alter our expectations for success that season; anyone who saw him play knows this is no exaggeration: he did things on the field no one will ever see again." p122 I loved the sports subplot all through this book. I wish it had been a little more developed!
✔️ "In my duress, I could not speak. I could not make sense of my own confusion. I’d heard thousands of people cheering for my beloved grandson, saw them on their feet as if in worship, singing his name. I swelled with pride, of course. Who would not? All his life, Gabriel had been larger than the life he had inhabited, always eager to display the strength of the giant body he’d been given. And now it seemed that Gabriel’s destiny had revealed itself at last. He had been gifted vast riches; he had sold them for useless dust." p220 The religious aspect of this book fascinated me, as I know very little about Amish culture. I learned some here! It was also a surprisingly great source of story tensions, as Rindo is unafraid to dive deep into the thoughts and motivations of his Amish characters.
Content Notes: cruelty to animals, severe sports injury, amputation, prosthesis, disability, ableism, religion, patriarchy, verbal abuse,
Thank you to Ron Rindo, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of LIFE AND DEATH AND GIANTS. All views are mine.
September 10, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is the story of Gabriel. Gabriel's mother and brother have been cut off from their Amish community for many years. When Gabriel's mother is set to deliver him, it will be in an unconventional way, far from a hospital and delivered by a veterinarian, Thomas, who will come to play a big part in Gabriel's life. As his mother takes her last breath, Gabriel takes his first. At eighteen pounds, this is a child who will live an extraordinary life. When his older brother dies unexpectedly, Gabriel will go live with his Amish grandparents, but adventures await far beyond their home.
Despite all the tragedy, this is a very uplifting and heartwarming tale. The story is told from the perspectives of the people around Gabriel. The narrative moves at a good pace and never lingers too long at any particular stage. Reminded me of beloved stories in the vein of Jonathan Swift, Mitch Albom and Tim Burton's Big Fish.
Expected Publication 09/09/25
Goodreads Review 21/08/25
This is the story of Gabriel. Gabriel's mother and brother have been cut off from their Amish community for many years. When Gabriel's mother is set to deliver him, it will be in an unconventional way, far from a hospital and delivered by a veterinarian, Thomas, who will come to play a big part in Gabriel's life. As his mother takes her last breath, Gabriel takes his first. At eighteen pounds, this is a child who will live an extraordinary life. When his older brother dies unexpectedly, Gabriel will go live with his Amish grandparents, but adventures await far beyond their home.
Despite all the tragedy, this is a very uplifting and heartwarming tale. The story is told from the perspectives of the people around Gabriel. The narrative moves at a good pace and never lingers too long at any particular stage. Reminded me of beloved stories in the vein of Jonathan Swift, Mitch Albom and Tim Burton's Big Fish.
Expected Publication 09/09/25
Goodreads Review 21/08/25
September 4, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Sept. 9, 2025
“Life, and Death, and Giants” by author Ron Rindo is an emotionally powerful character-driven novel that leaves an indelible mark. A stunning story that deserves every one of my well-earned five stars, I cannot recommend this novel enough.
Gabriel Fisher is a literal giant, born at eighteen pounds, he was walking by eight months and reached more than eight feet tall by the time he was a teenager. Gabriel’s mother died in childbirth, and Gabriel was sent to be raised and cared for by his devout, Amish maternal grandparents. Gabriel connected with animals and was a valuable asset to farmhand work, but his size and athletic prowess garnered him a lot of attention. Soon, Gabriel was being scouted by some of the best colleges in the country, for a football scholarship and Gabriel is made to choose between living a quiet, devout life with people that care for him or the fame and fortune that comes with being a professional athlete. The choice Gabriel makes changes who he is, and affects everyone around him, in powerful ways.
“Giants” features a rotating narration by four of the main protagonists- Hannah (Gabriel’s Amish grandmother), Trey (the high school football coach), Thomas (the local veterinarian) and Billy (the local bartender), who tell Gabriel’s story through their own experiences. All of the characters in the small community are likable and charming, but the four that feature in this novel are protagonists for a reason. All four are very different, each struggling with their own personal and professional challenges, yet they connect through Gabriel and form meaningful relationships with others and each other. Although we never hear directly from Gabriel, it is clear he is the star of the novel, and rightly so.
There is some football jargon in the novel, which went completely over my head due to my limited knowledge of the game, but no part of this detracted from the enjoyment of “Giants” as a whole. I was cheering for Gabriel right alongside everyone else, and rooting for him.
Rindo paints the Amish community in a respectful light, and I enjoyed being immersed in their everyday lives and learning about their values and beliefs. Community and family play such a large part in the Amish lifestyle, it is not surprising that these are two main themes that run throughout “Giants”. The bittersweet ending was beautifully written and superbly crafted, bringing all the loose ends together in a completely magical way.
“Giants” is a well-developed story with an emotional, addicting plot and complex, disarming characters. This five-star, un-put-down-able novel will stick with readers long after the last pages and should be on everyone’s TBR list this fall.
Expected publication date: Sept. 9, 2025
“Life, and Death, and Giants” by author Ron Rindo is an emotionally powerful character-driven novel that leaves an indelible mark. A stunning story that deserves every one of my well-earned five stars, I cannot recommend this novel enough.
Gabriel Fisher is a literal giant, born at eighteen pounds, he was walking by eight months and reached more than eight feet tall by the time he was a teenager. Gabriel’s mother died in childbirth, and Gabriel was sent to be raised and cared for by his devout, Amish maternal grandparents. Gabriel connected with animals and was a valuable asset to farmhand work, but his size and athletic prowess garnered him a lot of attention. Soon, Gabriel was being scouted by some of the best colleges in the country, for a football scholarship and Gabriel is made to choose between living a quiet, devout life with people that care for him or the fame and fortune that comes with being a professional athlete. The choice Gabriel makes changes who he is, and affects everyone around him, in powerful ways.
“Giants” features a rotating narration by four of the main protagonists- Hannah (Gabriel’s Amish grandmother), Trey (the high school football coach), Thomas (the local veterinarian) and Billy (the local bartender), who tell Gabriel’s story through their own experiences. All of the characters in the small community are likable and charming, but the four that feature in this novel are protagonists for a reason. All four are very different, each struggling with their own personal and professional challenges, yet they connect through Gabriel and form meaningful relationships with others and each other. Although we never hear directly from Gabriel, it is clear he is the star of the novel, and rightly so.
There is some football jargon in the novel, which went completely over my head due to my limited knowledge of the game, but no part of this detracted from the enjoyment of “Giants” as a whole. I was cheering for Gabriel right alongside everyone else, and rooting for him.
Rindo paints the Amish community in a respectful light, and I enjoyed being immersed in their everyday lives and learning about their values and beliefs. Community and family play such a large part in the Amish lifestyle, it is not surprising that these are two main themes that run throughout “Giants”. The bittersweet ending was beautifully written and superbly crafted, bringing all the loose ends together in a completely magical way.
“Giants” is a well-developed story with an emotional, addicting plot and complex, disarming characters. This five-star, un-put-down-able novel will stick with readers long after the last pages and should be on everyone’s TBR list this fall.
May 29, 2025
“Life, and Death, and Giants” by Ron Rindo is one of the best books I have ever read! The story is powerful, unique and remarkable. It tells the tale of a boy of Amish decent born into tragic circumstances as his mother dies in childbirth and the devoted community that raises him. He is exceptional in every way, and not just because he grows to be over eight feet in height but because he has a special way with animals and humans alike. He is raised by his brother, by his Amish grandparents and the English veterinarian who delivered him. He grows up with a foot in both the Amish and the modern world and becomes a sports legend and a worldwide wrestling sensation. The novel gives a sensitive and touching insight into this young man’s extraordinary life and beautifully explores the Amish culture, death, grief and most of all love. The story is tragic and uplifting at the same time and it’s a story that will stick with you long after you turn the last page. I highly recommend this book to everyone and congratulate the very talented author.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 1, 2025
I have been fortunate to read many good books this year and Life, and Death, and Giants is one of my favorites. From the very start, the prologue, the story and writing drew me in and kept me captivated to the last page. The story is told using a few POVs and centers around an unusually large boy, Gabriel, whose birth was attended to by the local veterinarian, who becomes a regular part of Gabriel’s life.
Gabriel is part of both the Amish and English worlds and the multiple POVs enrich the development of the storyline. I really enjoyed learning about different aspects of the Amish culture and viewpoints. The novel is essentially about family and there is plenty of drama and a touch of magical realism. I think fans of Broken Country will want to pick this novel up; it gave me a similar vibe. Also, the writing is just so darn good.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
Gabriel is part of both the Amish and English worlds and the multiple POVs enrich the development of the storyline. I really enjoyed learning about different aspects of the Amish culture and viewpoints. The novel is essentially about family and there is plenty of drama and a touch of magical realism. I think fans of Broken Country will want to pick this novel up; it gave me a similar vibe. Also, the writing is just so darn good.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
February 5, 2025
Gabriel is brought into this world as his mother is leaving it. Gabriel arrives at eighteen pounds and twenty-seven inches long. No one has seen a human this big. As time passes and he grows, Gabriel's size continues to shock everyone. He dominates the little league team as a young boy and is unstoppable as a high school football player. Born to an exiled Amish mother, Gabriel only beings to know his Amish roots after his brother passes away. He goes to live with grandparents he barely knows. They try to accept some of his English ways, but try to instil Amish values as he continues to grow up. Gabriel becomes a world-wide sensation as a young adult. This hasn't come without tragedy and set-backs. Gabriel always keeps his Amish roots in his mind but also takes his English ways into consideration. Gabriel touches so many lives.
Without giving anything away in this beautiful story, I will stop there with my description. Life, Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo is a first for me by this author. It will not be the last. This story will haunt you. I couldn't stop thinking about Gabriel and the other characters. The writing is beautiful, the storyline is captivating. You won't be able to put this book down. You will feel all the emotions with this one. You will laugh, be angry, and cry. Its everything all rolled into one book. I will be telling all of my book friends about this book and will be looking for Rindo's other work. Special thanks to NetGalley, Ron Rindo, and St. Martin's Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 5 BIG stars for me. This could be my favorite book of the year.
Without giving anything away in this beautiful story, I will stop there with my description. Life, Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo is a first for me by this author. It will not be the last. This story will haunt you. I couldn't stop thinking about Gabriel and the other characters. The writing is beautiful, the storyline is captivating. You won't be able to put this book down. You will feel all the emotions with this one. You will laugh, be angry, and cry. Its everything all rolled into one book. I will be telling all of my book friends about this book and will be looking for Rindo's other work. Special thanks to NetGalley, Ron Rindo, and St. Martin's Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 5 BIG stars for me. This could be my favorite book of the year.
February 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. A gentle but captivating read, with wonderful character development; it was another one of those books where the plot, while important, didn't feel like the main purpose of the book. To me, it felt like the purpose was to allow us to drop in on Lakota, Wisconsin, for a few years, and learn more about some of the characters in the town.
We're introduced to a whole host of characters - Gabriel Fisher of course, but also Hannah Fisher, Dr. Kennedy, Billy Walton, and Trey Beathard. Interestingly, the book is told in alternating viewpoints, but never from Gabriel's point of view. We only hear about him through his grandmother, who tries to reconcile her Amish lifestyle with her grandson's English one and through his mentors - Kennedy and Beathard - both of whom try to give him guidance on how to navigate a world that frankly, wasn't prepared for him.
As all four narrators narrate Gabriel's stories, we also get a chance to learn more about them. All four struggle with aspects of their past (and, in some cases, present), and we see each of them struggle through it and try to move past them in their own ways. Of the four narrators, Hannah's was the one that resonated with me the most, because in her story, we saw the struggle of trying to reconcile two very different worlds. It was fasincating watching her question the world that she had grown up in.
The abstract of the book states - "Threaded with the poems of Emily Dickinson, Life, and Death, and Giants weaves together an unforgettable story of faith, family, buried secrets, and everyday miracles." I couldn't agree more.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
We're introduced to a whole host of characters - Gabriel Fisher of course, but also Hannah Fisher, Dr. Kennedy, Billy Walton, and Trey Beathard. Interestingly, the book is told in alternating viewpoints, but never from Gabriel's point of view. We only hear about him through his grandmother, who tries to reconcile her Amish lifestyle with her grandson's English one and through his mentors - Kennedy and Beathard - both of whom try to give him guidance on how to navigate a world that frankly, wasn't prepared for him.
As all four narrators narrate Gabriel's stories, we also get a chance to learn more about them. All four struggle with aspects of their past (and, in some cases, present), and we see each of them struggle through it and try to move past them in their own ways. Of the four narrators, Hannah's was the one that resonated with me the most, because in her story, we saw the struggle of trying to reconcile two very different worlds. It was fasincating watching her question the world that she had grown up in.
The abstract of the book states - "Threaded with the poems of Emily Dickinson, Life, and Death, and Giants weaves together an unforgettable story of faith, family, buried secrets, and everyday miracles." I couldn't agree more.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2025
The best book of 2025 and one of the best books I've ever read
September 6, 2025
Thank you @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the complimentary ARC/ALC.
An emotional read about a gentle giant, Amish life, and small town Lakota (Wisconsin). I doubt many could read this with a dry eye. 🥹
What I didn’t expect were the nods to sports 🏈⚾️🤼 and how it creates community, uniting people from all walks of life. As a non-sports person, at least when it comes to American football, I was less interested by the sports plays, but I loved the heart.
This book also has a lot of faith embedded within it, treated I thought respectfully, with two of the main characters of different faiths. There are miracles and sins to confront.
The audio was really well done with a full cast narration for multiple POVs. Although my favorites were Thomas and Hannah, it was interesting to hear from coach Trey and local bar owner Billy. Very fun to have German sprinkled throughout the audio as well!
My favorite part was learning more about Amish culture, the poetry of Emily Dickinson, and the non-romantic love between the characters. I will be thinking about this one for some time to come.
“𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚓𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚢𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎: 𝚝���𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚠𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎. 𝙸𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐.”
Sensitive readers- please do check trigger warnings which I am not listing due to spoilers.
An emotional read about a gentle giant, Amish life, and small town Lakota (Wisconsin). I doubt many could read this with a dry eye. 🥹
What I didn’t expect were the nods to sports 🏈⚾️🤼 and how it creates community, uniting people from all walks of life. As a non-sports person, at least when it comes to American football, I was less interested by the sports plays, but I loved the heart.
This book also has a lot of faith embedded within it, treated I thought respectfully, with two of the main characters of different faiths. There are miracles and sins to confront.
The audio was really well done with a full cast narration for multiple POVs. Although my favorites were Thomas and Hannah, it was interesting to hear from coach Trey and local bar owner Billy. Very fun to have German sprinkled throughout the audio as well!
My favorite part was learning more about Amish culture, the poetry of Emily Dickinson, and the non-romantic love between the characters. I will be thinking about this one for some time to come.
“𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚓𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚎𝚢𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎: 𝚝���𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚠𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎. 𝙸𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐.”
Sensitive readers- please do check trigger warnings which I am not listing due to spoilers.
March 10, 2025
Life, and Death, and Giants stunned me. When I was offered the ARC, I debated reading it because the description didn’t interest me. However, the exceedingly positive reviews persuaded me to give it a shot; I’m grateful that I did.
Small town Lakota, Wisconsin is the kind of place people live if they want a quiet, unbothered lifestyle. Whether they are born there or transplanted, Lakota’s residents are fiercely protective of and private about their neighbors. There are what this book calls English, or what I’d call American, residents and Amish residents. The story is told through alternating perspectives, which include both English and Amish characters. I fell in love with all of them. The character development is SO good. In particular, I fell in love with Hannah Fisher, Gabe’s grandmother and veterinarian Thomas Kennedy.
The story is centered around the eponymous giant, Gabriel Fisher, but never told from his perspective. Instead, we view Gabe from the vantage point of his mother, his coaches, and mentors. We see the different emotions and struggles of family, religion, being othered, being venerated, and loved.
And while Gabriel’s size, topping out at almost 9 feet and 600 pounds, seems unbelievable, the story itself does not. And to my utter surprise, while the story is entirely fictional, the size of Gabriel is based on the world’s tallest man and entirely factual.
Overall, this book moved me in ways I did not expect. I loved it. Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Small town Lakota, Wisconsin is the kind of place people live if they want a quiet, unbothered lifestyle. Whether they are born there or transplanted, Lakota’s residents are fiercely protective of and private about their neighbors. There are what this book calls English, or what I’d call American, residents and Amish residents. The story is told through alternating perspectives, which include both English and Amish characters. I fell in love with all of them. The character development is SO good. In particular, I fell in love with Hannah Fisher, Gabe’s grandmother and veterinarian Thomas Kennedy.
The story is centered around the eponymous giant, Gabriel Fisher, but never told from his perspective. Instead, we view Gabe from the vantage point of his mother, his coaches, and mentors. We see the different emotions and struggles of family, religion, being othered, being venerated, and loved.
And while Gabriel’s size, topping out at almost 9 feet and 600 pounds, seems unbelievable, the story itself does not. And to my utter surprise, while the story is entirely fictional, the size of Gabriel is based on the world’s tallest man and entirely factual.
Overall, this book moved me in ways I did not expect. I loved it. Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2025
I think this book broke me. Holy crap.
August 31, 2025
My heart broke for Hannah, and I found myself sobbing right alongside her, sobbing for the ache, for the weight of love and loss this story carries. Life, and Death, and Giants moved me in ways I didn’t expect, over and over again. It’s the kind of book that lingers between readings, tugging at your thoughts when you’re away from it, making you ache to return.
Gabriel’s life is extraordinary, but what truly gripped me wasn’t just his size or abilities, it was the depth of humanity pulsing through these pages. A heart too big for this world, a life that touches everyone it brushes against. Every character felt achingly real, flawed yet full of grace, and their choices made me think hard about faith, family, and the ways love can both wound and heal.
This is a story rich with beauty and sorrow, where miracles are quiet and everyday, and where grief is as present as hope. I wish I had all the right words to capture how it made me feel, but maybe that’s the point. It’s a book you don’t just read, you experience.
Ron Rindo has written something powerful here. Tender, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.
Multi POV
Triggers
Gabriel’s life is extraordinary, but what truly gripped me wasn’t just his size or abilities, it was the depth of humanity pulsing through these pages. A heart too big for this world, a life that touches everyone it brushes against. Every character felt achingly real, flawed yet full of grace, and their choices made me think hard about faith, family, and the ways love can both wound and heal.
This is a story rich with beauty and sorrow, where miracles are quiet and everyday, and where grief is as present as hope. I wish I had all the right words to capture how it made me feel, but maybe that’s the point. It’s a book you don’t just read, you experience.
Ron Rindo has written something powerful here. Tender, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.
Multi POV
Triggers
May 18, 2025
I catch my mind wandering to the characters and stories in this book often now. Yes, storieS within the story that are interconnected so beautifully it had me gasping, laughing, and tearing up as they all wove together in ways I didn’t expect & executed so well.
The dichotomy between the Amish & English world and how the people in both those worlds cared for Gabriel in their own ways was a gripping read. I loved the variety of relationships and expressions of love depicted throughout the book. I will be processing this book for a long time and it would make for a fantastic book club discussion read.
Thank you to the author, my dad, for sharing an early copy with me. Though it’s hard not to be biased, each page beckoned me to stay up until midnight until it was finished - in which I then cried myself to sleep. Tears are hard to manufacture, so every star recorded here was absolutely earned.
The dichotomy between the Amish & English world and how the people in both those worlds cared for Gabriel in their own ways was a gripping read. I loved the variety of relationships and expressions of love depicted throughout the book. I will be processing this book for a long time and it would make for a fantastic book club discussion read.
Thank you to the author, my dad, for sharing an early copy with me. Though it’s hard not to be biased, each page beckoned me to stay up until midnight until it was finished - in which I then cried myself to sleep. Tears are hard to manufacture, so every star recorded here was absolutely earned.
March 5, 2025
This was a beautiful book. I was drawn in from the first chapter. So many rich characters and stories that I will think about long past today. I think special people come into our lives and transform them. That is what Gabriel did for everyone who knew him.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
February 18, 2025
I love a good book with a novel idea. This book was incredible. Such a good reminder of the impact people (and lowkey sports) can have on a community. Thank you NetGalley for the early read!
September 3, 2025
Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo is simply sublime and it's a definite contender for My Top 5 Books of 2025. A young woman shunned by her Amish community in the small rural town of Lakota Wisconsin refuses medical help and manages to give birth to a baby weighing 18 pounds thanks to the help of the local vet.
We watch this strange boy Gabriel Fisher grow up through the eyes of various characters including Thomas the vet who delivered him, his Amish grandmother Hannah and several others on the periphery of his life.
Astonishingly, Gabriel Fisher walks at the age of eight months and it's clear he's been a gifted young boy since birth.
"He's good at a lot of things. Animals love him, and he cares for them with uncommon understanding. At the rate he's growing, he's going to be bigger than two normal men and stronger than any three. God has given him many gifts. How can we be sure of His intentions so soon, when the boy is only ten years old?" Page 96
Each of these characters witnessing or participating in Gabriel's childhood and coming of age has their own interesting back story. I also loved the myriad practical ways they helped accommodate Gabriel's increasing size.
The Amish way of life in the novel reminded me of the shunning of Kai Proctor and later his niece Rebecca in the TV show Banshee which I highly recommend. A gentle people, they want Gabriel to continue living on their farm and participating in their community but his size soon attracts unwanted attention and Gabriel's life as he knows it is challenged by those who want to see him succeed in a different way.
Gabriel's gentle nature and amazing gift with animals reminded me of John Coffey in The Green Mile by Stephen King (highly recommend the book and the movie), not only due to his size but the fact that he was special and had a unique gift.
The writing in this was magnificent and I was deeply moved by the ending, especially when I understood the significance of the feathers on the cover. I don't want to mention much more than this as it's a story best entered into without any prior knowledge but I came to care very much for Gabriel and I was touched by the back stories and character growth within the novel.
Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo is entirely unforgettable and highly recommended!
* Copy courtesy of Pan Macmillan *
We watch this strange boy Gabriel Fisher grow up through the eyes of various characters including Thomas the vet who delivered him, his Amish grandmother Hannah and several others on the periphery of his life.
Astonishingly, Gabriel Fisher walks at the age of eight months and it's clear he's been a gifted young boy since birth.
"He's good at a lot of things. Animals love him, and he cares for them with uncommon understanding. At the rate he's growing, he's going to be bigger than two normal men and stronger than any three. God has given him many gifts. How can we be sure of His intentions so soon, when the boy is only ten years old?" Page 96
Each of these characters witnessing or participating in Gabriel's childhood and coming of age has their own interesting back story. I also loved the myriad practical ways they helped accommodate Gabriel's increasing size.
The Amish way of life in the novel reminded me of the shunning of Kai Proctor and later his niece Rebecca in the TV show Banshee which I highly recommend. A gentle people, they want Gabriel to continue living on their farm and participating in their community but his size soon attracts unwanted attention and Gabriel's life as he knows it is challenged by those who want to see him succeed in a different way.
Gabriel's gentle nature and amazing gift with animals reminded me of John Coffey in The Green Mile by Stephen King (highly recommend the book and the movie), not only due to his size but the fact that he was special and had a unique gift.
The writing in this was magnificent and I was deeply moved by the ending, especially when I understood the significance of the feathers on the cover. I don't want to mention much more than this as it's a story best entered into without any prior knowledge but I came to care very much for Gabriel and I was touched by the back stories and character growth within the novel.
Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo is entirely unforgettable and highly recommended!
* Copy courtesy of Pan Macmillan *
September 9, 2025
I feel like I should begin my review with a confession... This book caught my attention months ago, but I initially thought it might be too "out there" for my personal tastes. After reading some rave reviews, however, I was intrigued, and I'm happy to say that I was wrong. Life and Death and Giants felt believable and grounded in reality, and I ended up being so immersed in the story. I adored this quiet gem of a book.
One of my favorite aspects of the storytelling here is how each chapter is narrated through the perspective of a member of the community - Gabriel's Amish grandmother, one of his coaches, a local bartender, and a veterinarian. Each of these characters had their own unique voice and were so richly developed that they popped off the page. At its heart, Life and Death and Giants is about community. I was deeply moved - to the point of tears at times - as I witnessed the love and support and the coming together of these individuals and the town of Lakota itself, even as their beliefs and ideals sometimes differed greatly. Then there was Gabriel, of course... the gentle giant at the heart of this narrative. It's impossible not to love him and to root for him. This is some of the best storytelling I've read in quite some time, and I can guarantee you it will wind up on my favorites list at year's end.
One of my favorite aspects of the storytelling here is how each chapter is narrated through the perspective of a member of the community - Gabriel's Amish grandmother, one of his coaches, a local bartender, and a veterinarian. Each of these characters had their own unique voice and were so richly developed that they popped off the page. At its heart, Life and Death and Giants is about community. I was deeply moved - to the point of tears at times - as I witnessed the love and support and the coming together of these individuals and the town of Lakota itself, even as their beliefs and ideals sometimes differed greatly. Then there was Gabriel, of course... the gentle giant at the heart of this narrative. It's impossible not to love him and to root for him. This is some of the best storytelling I've read in quite some time, and I can guarantee you it will wind up on my favorites list at year's end.
September 4, 2025
Gabriel is the actual giant in this book titled Life and Death and Giants. Gabriel was born to an unmarried Amish mother who died right after his birth. Gabriel was extremely large at birth and he most likely suffered from a rare medical condition known as Giantism. Because his young mother refused to name Gabriel’s father, she was shunned from the Amish community. Gabriel had the unique experience of being raised in the Amish community by his grandparents as well as having some unusual and wonderful experiences in the outside English world.
Gabriel was a gentle giant whose story will warm your heart. His personality and spirit was just as big as his physical body. His story was an emotional journey that I very much enjoyed.
Thank You Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Gabriel was a gentle giant whose story will warm your heart. His personality and spirit was just as big as his physical body. His story was an emotional journey that I very much enjoyed.
Thank You Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
August 15, 2025
Absolutely loved this beautiful story.
March 25, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for offering me this ARC that totally wrecked me. The first few pages of the book slid over me like a favorite blanket and I knew I was hooked. And you might as well know right from the get go - plot twist! I had no idea. The framework of the book is the interaction of an Amish community and a small town in a place where it is challenging for either to make a good living. This is similar to areas near where I live, and I enjoyed learning more about the day-to-day lives of the Amish, their faith and the subjugation of women.
An enormous baby is born in the back of a pickup truck, killing the mother who was shunned from her Amish community for a previous pregnancy out of wedlock. The baby grows into a giant child and then a giant man. The accommodations in daily life made for his size are amusing at times. His life and the lives of those who care for him are at once joyous and tragic. The arc of his life is a shooting star, brief, but all the better to have have lived, loved and be loved. The touches of magical realism really pump up the emotion. Readers of Sarah Addison Allen may enjoy for those bits. There is a little bit of an Owen Meany vibe here as well. I think this will appeal toa fairly broad range of readers, so jump right on it when it publishes this September!
An enormous baby is born in the back of a pickup truck, killing the mother who was shunned from her Amish community for a previous pregnancy out of wedlock. The baby grows into a giant child and then a giant man. The accommodations in daily life made for his size are amusing at times. His life and the lives of those who care for him are at once joyous and tragic. The arc of his life is a shooting star, brief, but all the better to have have lived, loved and be loved. The touches of magical realism really pump up the emotion. Readers of Sarah Addison Allen may enjoy for those bits. There is a little bit of an Owen Meany vibe here as well. I think this will appeal toa fairly broad range of readers, so jump right on it when it publishes this September!
February 15, 2025
Life and Desth and Giants by Ron Rindo
Received as an arc.
Gabriel when born was 18lbs and 27 inches long. Delivered by the local veterinarian Thomas his mother passed giving birth to him. This when the legends started.
Since he was big he was good hitting a baseball but had a gentle way with animals. Thomas cared for him like a grandson. Helping with school, baseball, and caring for animals.
When Gabriel’s brother decides to leave this life Thomas is forced to try to have his grandparents who excommunicated his mother care for him. They would not allow his natural skill of baseball.
An out of state football coach convinces Gabriel’s grandparents to allow him to play football. A natural and tough to stop due to his extreme size.
Becoming a football hero and finally in love while in college yet another tragedy to our gentle giant.
Overcoming a new obstacle in life Gabriel thrived yet again.
We visit Lakota and its residents as well.
I’ll stop here not wanting spoilers. But this book was many various stories and characters narrating them. A beautiful life story that made me happy and sad.
5⭐️
Received as an arc.
Gabriel when born was 18lbs and 27 inches long. Delivered by the local veterinarian Thomas his mother passed giving birth to him. This when the legends started.
Since he was big he was good hitting a baseball but had a gentle way with animals. Thomas cared for him like a grandson. Helping with school, baseball, and caring for animals.
When Gabriel’s brother decides to leave this life Thomas is forced to try to have his grandparents who excommunicated his mother care for him. They would not allow his natural skill of baseball.
An out of state football coach convinces Gabriel’s grandparents to allow him to play football. A natural and tough to stop due to his extreme size.
Becoming a football hero and finally in love while in college yet another tragedy to our gentle giant.
Overcoming a new obstacle in life Gabriel thrived yet again.
We visit Lakota and its residents as well.
I’ll stop here not wanting spoilers. But this book was many various stories and characters narrating them. A beautiful life story that made me happy and sad.
5⭐️
February 28, 2025
Life, and Death, and Giants is an absolutely wonderful book that chronicles the life of Gabriel Fisher, an extraordinarily tall young man born to an unmarried Amish woman who had left her religious community. Gabriel's life is told through the voices of those who are closest to him. He is an amazing human being who touches many lives. Being over eight feet tall, he excels at sports, which takes him away from his little town and exposes him to the larger world.
Ron Rindo is a brilliant storyteller, and this is an amazing book. I did find the descriptive sports scenes a little tedious, but that's just me. I also would have loved to learn more about Isabella. I feel like we never really got to know her at all really. But those are nit-picks. This is a touching, beautiful novel. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
Ron Rindo is a brilliant storyteller, and this is an amazing book. I did find the descriptive sports scenes a little tedious, but that's just me. I also would have loved to learn more about Isabella. I feel like we never really got to know her at all really. But those are nit-picks. This is a touching, beautiful novel. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.
May 6, 2025
- when i first started reading this book, i figured it would be a magical realism novel, however I was very happy to learn that it was simple fiction
- i enjoyed the different POVs throughout the book that gave us an insight into Gabriel’s extraordinary life
- each character proves to have an impact on Gabriel to which he is forever grateful
- the characters are beautiful written and you get a true sense of who they are, complete with detailed back stories (which was very interesting to read)
- I enjoyed learning about the Amish way of life and their true sense of community
- there was many events that were unexpected, and made you wanting to keep reading
- highly recommend this book!
* thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
- i enjoyed the different POVs throughout the book that gave us an insight into Gabriel’s extraordinary life
- each character proves to have an impact on Gabriel to which he is forever grateful
- the characters are beautiful written and you get a true sense of who they are, complete with detailed back stories (which was very interesting to read)
- I enjoyed learning about the Amish way of life and their true sense of community
- there was many events that were unexpected, and made you wanting to keep reading
- highly recommend this book!
* thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews