A little post about 2 Huge books

and something about my reading and listening habits

I typically consume 3 or 4 books a week, not counting the longer term ones I work away at in between the faster reads. That’s too many for my limited book budget, and more to the point, would add far too much to my already over-flowing shelves.

I am in the season of life more about dispersal than acquisition of material goods. I am also approaching retirement from my full time work, and more cautious about spending.

Most of my reading material comes from our county’s library system. The county has an an ageement with the nearby City of Windsor system, so I am able to borrow digital e-books and audio versions from both. Most of my casual, just for fun reading and listening choices are based on what’s available.

I may have mentioned I like to borrow both the e-book and audio versions of a novel. I listen while I am out cycling, and read when I am home.

This week I am reading Huge, a modern noir detective novel from 2009 by James W. Fuerst. The protagonist is a very bright 12 year old boy, whose notions of detection were gleaned from the Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett novels his grandmother gave him to read.

The story is set in 1980’s New Jersey. Eugene Smalls wants to be called “Huge”. He rides a high handle-barred bicycle with a banana seat and chrome fenders he calls his “cruiser”, travelling in the company of a stuffed toy turtle. We see him set out to solve his first real case, after being hired by his grandmother, in one of her lucid moments, to discover who vandalized the lighted sign in front of her retirement facility.

I’ve never read a noir detective “coming of age” story- but that’s how this one feels. “Huge” Smalls is navigating a lonely existence in public school, wrestling with pubescent urges, and seeking a sense of identity. There’s a lot about him I can connect with, even though I missed out on having such a cool bike at his age.

I am also listening to Huge, the 2023 debut novel by Brent Butt (who I am happy to say subscribes to this Substack!) Brent’s first novel is a dark and funny psychological thriller set in 1994. Three comedians are on a road trip, starting out from Winnipeg, and stopping for brief engagements in small towns.

The least experienced comic is called Hobie Huge. He is physically large, very strong, more than a little intimidating, but not actually very funny. He also has a violent streak. Bad things are going to happen.

Brent Butt narrates his own book. He’s a good actor. He brings a down-to-earth quality to the read which makes all the outlandish goings on seem quite reasonable. The audio production has the feel of sitting down with an old friend who’s telling you a strangely compelling story.