The Little Giant of Aberdeen County

“A wholly unique love story, a devastating friendship, a bewitching multi-generational history . . . A must-read. “—Sara Gruen, author of #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Water for Elephants

When Truly Plaice's mother was pregnant, the town of Aberdeen joined together in betting how huge the baby boy would ultimately be. The girl who proved to be Truly paid the price of her enormity; her father blamed her for her mother's death in childbirth, and was totally ill equipped to raise either this giant child or her polar opposite sister Serena Jane, the epitome of feminine perfection. When he, too, relinquished his tenuous grip on life, Truly and Serena Jane are separated—Serena Jane to live a life of privilege, eventually marrying into the prestigious Morgan family, while Truly lives on a farm on the outskirts of town.

When Serena Jane flees town and her loveless marriage, it is Truly who must become the woman of a house that she did not choose and mother to her eight-year-old nephew Bobbie. Truly's brother-in-law is relentless and brutal; he criticizes her physique and degrades her more than any one human could bear. It is only when Truly finds her calling—the ability to heal illness with herbs and naturopathic techniques—using secrets hidden within the folds of the Morgan's mysterious family quilt, that she begins to regain control over her life and herself.

“Mixes the exuberant eccentricities of John Irving, Anne Tyler's relationship savvy and Margaret Atwood.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“Baker has a good sense of the dark comedy of melodrama.” —Washington Post

“Truly Plaice is a heroine for our times.” —USA Today