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Caspar Peek

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Of Giants and Other Men Kindle Edition

by Caspar Peek (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

3.7 38 ratings

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In 1930’s Nicaragua two cousins, Tomás and Fausto, grow up together in the shadow of a ruthless dictator who murdered Tomás’ father and sent his ashes home in an urn.

Swearing that he will avenge his father’s death, Tomás finds a friend in his cousin Fausto and the two boys become blood brothers, promising that they will always put one another first.

But events take an unexpected turn with the arrival of the alluring Ana, who has returned to the country from Europe. An attraction between Tomás and Ana begins to form, one which does not sit well with Fausto.

As the cousins grow into men, life takes them onto different paths: while Tomás becomes a doctor sworn to protect life, Fausto becomes a soldier who embraces his career with a passion that earns him the nickname “Lieutenant Knife.”

With their allegiance to each other being tested by as sickening war, and their love for the same woman, can Tomás and Fausto remain true to the vow they made when they were children? Or will war and revolution tear them apart?

“Of Giants and Other Men” is a masterful story of love, betrayal, honor and sacrifice, depicting the horror and beauty that lie at the core of the human heart.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A beautifully realized novel that doesn't shy away from describing the horrors of war as well as life's moments of beauty."
"Peek manages to weave the 20th century history of Nicaragua together with a moving story of betrayal and redemption, without sacrificing the tale's descriptive beauty."
- Kirkus Reviews

"Of Giants and Other Men begins and ends with an untimely death, but the middle is where the reader is well, and truly, hooked... Recommended for fans of literary fiction.'
- San Francisco Book Review

"Of Giants and Other Men is a sleeping giant, in and of itself. It promises much, evolves its plot slowly and carefully."
- D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review

"Of Giants and Other Men has plenty of charm to it, as well as compelling dialogue and beautiful descriptions. It is a book that sticks."
"(...) a story about familial riffs, the contemplation of becoming like one's parent, and the question of how love comes about and why it ends. There's power in the tale of Tomas and Fausto".
- Portland Book Review

About the Author

Caspar Peek was born in the Netherlands, went to college in France and graduate school in New York City. A few years after meeting his wife, a Nicaraguan national, they decided to move to her country - it was during these years that the idea of writing 'Of Giants and Other Men' took root. Caspar has since been living in a number of countries in Central America and the Caribbean, among them Haiti and Jamaica, as well as Thailand and, on-and-off, New York City. Caspar is married, and has two daughters. Of Giants and Other Men is his first novel.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00RD977GG
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tumbleweed Books (March 21, 2015)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 21, 2015
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 4264 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 326 pages

Customer Reviews:
3.7 38 ratings

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Caspar Peek

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Caspar Peek was born in the Netherlands, went to college in France and graduate school in New York City. A few years after meeting his wife, a Nicaraguan national, they moved to her country - it was during these years that the idea of writing 'Of Giants and Other Men' took root. A diplomat and development worker, he has since been living in a number of countries in Central America and the Caribbean, among them Haiti and Jamaica, as well as Thailand, Ukraine, and, on-and-off, New York City. Of Giants and Other Men is his first novel - he is currently writing his second novel, due out in 2017.

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3.7 out of 5

38 global ratings

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LMJ

An enjoyable read.

Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2015

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This was a really enjoyable read. An interesting story about family relationships and changes during a tumultuous time in Nicaragua's history. A good insight into that era as well. Well developed characters and story line. Sometimes I almost felt like I was reading an Isabel Allende story, due to the infusion of a little magical realism. Looking forward to Caspar Peek's next novel!

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Kindle Customer

Can't get into it, so don't know what rating ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2016

Verified Purchase

Can't get into it, so don't know what rating I would give it if I could finish it.

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Matveg

A NOVEL WITH MANY FLAVORS

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2015

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This novel by Caspar Peek tells a story based on the brutal reality of the Somoza dictatorship that oppressed the people of Nicaragua for 45 years. This harsh reality is vividly described through the lens of fictitious characters, full of good and bad passions, moral values and some of them driven to rid the country of dictatorship, even at the cost of their own lives. Any reader familiar with Nicaragua could easily put names to these characters, because one can guess in each of them the idiosyncrasy of its brave inhabitants.
This novel is esthetically very pleasing, as it describes in much details scenes an events, in a careful and detailed manner. It’s almost like a painting of the characters, with their different personalities, passions, habits etc., reflecting the reality of this small country and its courageous people. The multitude of smells and flavors, so vividly described in this book, makes us “feel with our own nose” all the essences of different herbs and species, such as coffee, vanilla, etc. The colorful descriptions transport the reader into the houses of the characters, allowing them to sit with the people living in those big houses full of traditions, with their large corridors and patios, with many windows through which one can see the passing of the Gigantona and her waterhead dwarf, and hear the drums and the songs they sing. Or go down into the basement of the hospital, to the Pathology Lab, and spend some time with Dr. Tomas Delacorte, the “dead-tissues doctor” among the corpses and body parts. Or even walk to the Chiquito River and almost touch the trash washed up there, or smell the putrid water, and see “those shoes” stuck in the mud. Or travel to Chinandega and “see” the mountains and volcanoes and venture into the jungle to join the rebels, or just go to Poneloya and walk along the volcanic-sand beach and chance upon a beached whale being gutted by local people, who find two same-foot tennis shoes in its bloated belly.
In a country where the extended family and matriarchy are institutions, the characters of Mama Mica and the many women in this novel are such true reflections of each and every Nicaraguan family.
And what about those shoes?? Nice work!
It was a real pleasure to have the opportunity, not to “devour” this book, but to enjoy it the way a coffee lover would enjoy a cup of good Java: I drank it very slowly, and without leaving a single drop!

3 people found this helpful

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Rod Raglin

Of Giants and Other Men dwarfed by lack of action, burdensome back-story

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2015

“Thank you, Caspar Peek, for writing this book. I appreciate your commitment and the time you put into this worthy endeavor.

The term in media res is Latin for the middle of the action. It’s where novels are supposed to start if they want to hook the reader, leaving all the necessary backstory to be inserted subtly, gradually and only when motivated as the story unfolds.

If Of Giants and Other Men begins in media res than there’s not much hope for the rest of the novel.

I understand literary novels often attempt to break from convention but the reader picks up a book primarily to be entertained and perhaps enlightened despite how it’s categorized; literary, genre or otherwise.

Up until and including Chapter 4 the majority of the novel is backstory about family history. There’s no doubt it’s necessary but presenting it this way is tedious.

The story is loaded with innuendo and foreshadowing and for this reader it seemed apparent these “plants” would resurface later on in the novel. Unfortunately, they were so obvious that when they eventually do it would not be with surprise or as an epiphany, but with a yawn and a “see I told you so.”

Even if none of this happened to disappoint me I found the writing too pedantic and uninspired and the lack of action and layers of backstory too oppressive to carry on past Chapter 4.

I kept yearning and expecting to see action like Harold Robbins introduced right at the beginning of The Adventurers. Granted it’s not literary fiction, but does literary fiction have to be boring?

I downloaded this book free from StoryCartel as part of an ongoing commitment to review new, self-published authors..

WRITING – average
IS THERE VIOLENCE – SOME
SEX - SOME
POV - THIRD
2 stars I don’t like it

3 people found this helpful

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Nina S-G

Reminder of the cruelty of men at war

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2016

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I chose four stars because the lesson is valuable, ad not told often enough. No way to have a happy ending, so I left off one star.

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2016

This is a work of historical fiction. The story takes place, for the most part in Nicaragua during the reign of Samoza. It is a heartbreaking time in the history of this Latin American country. There are very few editing issues. The main characters are interesting and are a classic study of good vs evil. The only downfall is the slow pace in which the story unfolds. I found it difficult to stay interested during the first three quarters of the book.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

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Maria Antonia E. Lim

A very engaging read!

Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2015

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Author shows familiarity with Nicaragua at that point in its history. Characters are very complex yet realistically portrayed. Gives readers an insight into the human condition, his inhumanity, his motivations, his weaknesses and his redeeming values. Leaves the reader pondering and thoughtful!

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2016

Verified Purchase

Storyline was very interesting but I found some of the dialogue confusing, which distracted me. Overall,, I enjoyed it