Review: The World’s Largest Man
Here in the South, we value storytelling and don’t mind it when the storyteller exaggerates a little bit – as a matter of fact, we rather encourage it. Harrison Scott Key‘s memoir, THE WORLD’S LARGEST MAN is a wonderful example of that southern tradition and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Key was raised in Mississippi by an asphalt salesman dad and a teacher mom. His dad was a manly man who taught Key how to hunt and fight but Key preferred reading and grocery shopping. The two couldn’t have been more different and their relationship was tenuous at times. Determined to make his mark and prove how different he was from his father, Key went to college and earned degrees in English and playwriting.
Once Key married and had a family of his own, he reflected on his past and realized he’s not as different from his father as he first thought. THE WORLD’S LARGEST MAN is the story of his journey to that realization and an homage to his father.
I laughed my way through THE WORLD’S LARGEST MAN so wasn’t surprised to learn it won the Thurber Prize for American Humor. Key’s dialogue is spot on as is his portrayal of a certain part of the southern population. There’s a reflective side to the book that will make readers think as well. Pick this book up when you need a good laugh!
Review copy provided by Harper Collins. I am an Indiebound Affiliate.
Not familiar with this aspect of story telling – almost seems like fantasy but the book sounds insightful
This sounds wonderful! All of our best/funniest family stories feature a little exaggeration, too.
Not my usual cup of tea, but it does sound interesting.
Even the title struck me as funny! I’m going to add this to my list. I don’t read humor too often, but it sounds like I would enjoy this one.
I wasn’t that interested at the beginning of the review. But was pretty interested by the end. Nice job.
I do love memoirs about family and family stories. Every family has a few, I believe, so this book sounds like one I could relate to, especially the southern aspects, since my paternal grandparents come from Missouri, which seems southern to me in many ways.
Thanks for sharing.
I meant my paternal grandparents “CAME” from Missouri…they have long ago passed on.
Sounds like a book I would really enjoy, who doesn’t enjoy an exaggerated story?
This one sounds like a great book.
This sounds humorous.
Jim never tells a (supposedly true) story the same way twice – he claims it’s an Irish tradition! :–)
A great and good funny tale!
I don’t normally associate reading with grocery shopping but I bet there’s a story there! This one sounds like fun!
My family has a lot of stories that sound like this one; I’ll have to read this book and see.
Nice! I always need books that make me laugh. Thx for letting me know about this one.
This might be a good one for me to read next. I could use a little humor! I loved him at SIBA and I think I’ll hear his voice when I read it.