McCracken, Elizabeth: *1966

The Giant's House, 1996 - Information about the Book

  • General Information
    • The novel is about learning to welcome the unexpected miracle, and about the strength of choosing to love in a world that gives no promises, and no guarantees.
    • Information from Wikipedia
  • Facts
    • Awards: The book was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction in 1996, which marked it as one of the outstanding literary works of that year.

    • Peggy Cort - The protagonist and narrator, Peggy is a lonely, 26-year-old librarian in a small town on Cape Cod. Her life changes when she meets James Sweatt.

      James Sweatt - A young boy with gigantism, James becomes the object of Peggy's fascination and affection. As he grows older and taller, his condition presents numerous challenges.

      Caroline Sweatt - James's caring and supportive mother, who struggles with the difficulties of raising a child with a rare condition.

      Oscar Sweatt - James's father, who is more distant and less involved in James's life compared to Caroline.

      Miss Beattie - Peggy's colleague at the library, who provides companionship and support.

      Dr. Whiteside - A doctor who treats James and helps the Sweatt family navigate the medical complexities of gigantism.

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    • Unconventional Love Story
      The relationship between Peggy Cort, a librarian, and James Carlson Sweatt, a boy who grows to an extraordinary height, is central to the narrative. Their bond transcends conventional romantic relationships and explores the depths of human connection and compassion.

      Loneliness and Isolation
      Both Peggy and James experience profound loneliness and isolation, albeit in different ways. Peggy's solitary life as a librarian and James' physical difference from others create a shared understanding of their unique forms of solitude.

      Physical Difference and Society
      James' gigantism sets him apart physically and socially, highlighting societal attitudes towards those who are different. The novel explores how physical anomalies can lead to both fascination and alienation.

      Empathy and Compassion
      The novel delves into the themes of empathy and compassion, especially through Peggy's care for James. It examines how understanding and kindness can bridge the gap between disparate lives.

      Life in a Small Town
      The setting of a small New England town in the 1950s and 1960s provides a backdrop for the story, influencing the characters' experiences and interactions. The close-knit community plays a role in shaping the narrative and the characters' lives.

      Search for Meaning
      Both main characters are on a quest for meaning in their lives. Peggy, through her books and library, and James, through his struggle with his physical condition, seek purpose and understanding.

      Mortality and Impermanence
      The novel addresses themes of mortality and the transient nature of life. James' condition brings an urgency and poignancy to his and Peggy's relationship, reminding readers of life's fragility.

      Personal Growth and Self-Acceptance
      The characters' journeys involve significant personal growth and self-acceptance. Peggy's evolving self-awareness and James' navigation of his identity are central to the narrative arc.

      Impact of Literature and Knowledge
      As a librarian, Peggy's relationship with books and knowledge is integral to the story. Literature serves as both a refuge and a means of connection for the characters.

      Nostalgia and Reflection
      The narrative is filled with a sense of nostalgia and reflection, looking back on past events with a mix of longing and introspection.

      These topics provide a rich framework for analyzing and discussing "The Giant's House" and its exploration of human emotions, relationships, and societal norms.

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  • Articles
    • Commentary
      The novel's narrator, Peggy Cort, tells the story of James's life, his growing up, and her relationship with him. She herself is estranged from her family, lonely, and depressed, although she handles this with a biting and self-deprecating wit. Readers should not be put off by this--in the end, Peggy does find connection and peace in spite of James's death.
      This quirky Flannery O'Connor-esque love story provides a window for considering conceptions of normalcy and how society at large--and medicine as well--copes with those with "freakish" conditions. One chapter toward the end of the novel ("His Heart Shares in His Proportions") offers a disturbing portrait of a doctor who visits to study James's case, and whose subsequent article in JAMA [Journal of the American Medical Association] diminishes James with its dehumanizing, insensitive, and critical language: "Dr. Calloway described James physically piece by piece. . . not liking a single detail. . . . Here was a catalogue of his every part by a man who would not know a metaphor from a semaphor, and it was so ugly I could barely read it."
      Dittrich, Lisa R.
      Excerpted, with permission, from the Literature, Arts, and Medicine Database at New York University School of Medicine, © New York University.
    • Kirkus Review. "McCracken's first novel lacks the one aspect vital to its success—concern for the lovers." Kirkus Review; July 1, 1996
    • Overlooked classics of American literature: The Giant's House by Elizabeth McCracken