Life, and Death, and Giants
- Judith D Collins
- Sep 8
- 9 min read
By: Ron Rindo
Narrators: Christina Moore, Johnny Heller, Roger Wayne, Will Damron
Macmillan Audio
ISBN: 9781250375339
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 09/09/2025
Format: Hardcover & Audio
My Rating: 5 Stars + (ARC) (ALC)
TOP BOOKS OF 2025
"With Life, and Death, and Giants, Ron Rindo has performed literary magic. This is a remarkable, profoundly moving novel."
—Larry Watson, author of Montana 1948
A young Amish woman, attended by the country veterinarian, delivers a baby that's eighteen pounds and twenty-seven inches long, and no one in Lakota, Wisconsin, knows what to make of the boy. Raised by his brother in rural poverty, Gabriel Fisher walks at eight months, communicates with animals, and possesses extraordinary athletic abilities. When his older brother dies by suicide, Gabriel is taken in by devout Amish grandparents, who hide him away from the English world. At age seventeen, and nearly eight feet tall, Gabriel is spotted working in a hay field by the local football coach, and his life changes.
In Life, and Death, and Giants, Gabriel’s unique story is told by those whose lives are transformed by him: Doc Kennedy, the veterinarian who delivers him and becomes his mentor; Hannah Fisher, Gabriel's Amish grandmother, haunted by her daughter’s death and troubled by deep gaps in her faith; Billy Walton, the salty bar owner and bridge between the Amish and English communities in Lakota; and Trey Beathard, the football coach, who tries to mentor Gabriel as his fame spreads throughout the world.
Threaded with the poems of Emily Dickinson, Life, and Death, and Giants weaves together an unforgettable story of faith, family, buried secrets, and everyday miracles.
My Review
Acclaimed master storyteller and gifted writer, Ron Rindo (Breathing Lake Superior) unveils his latest literary masterpiece, LIFE, AND DEATH, AND GIANTS—an exquisite and mesmerizing tale that is sure to capture your heart and soul.
Richly poetic, hauntingly lyrical, and profoundly moving, this narrative serves as a beautiful testament to the way an entire community can be transformed by the kindness and generosity of a single remarkable individual.
Prepare to be swept away by this unforgettable story woven with threads of faith, love, art, miracles, sports, hidden truths, and the intricate bonds of family and community.
Recognized as one of the Top Books of 2025 and a standout among the Top Audiobooks of 2025, this is a reading experience not to be missed.
What's it About...
Set in a small rural town of Lakota, Wisconsin, we meet a modern-day giant, raised in an Amish community and later discovered by baseball, football, and pro-wrestling coaches who will change lives.
"Sometimes, it isn't where you're going, but rather what you're running from that determines where you find yourself."
For the residents of Lakota, their town feels like a haven—a treasured sanctuary that offers the delicate luxury of anonymity. Yet, every so often, something rare and extraordinary emerges, a force that cannot be neatly tucked away within the confines of normalcy, destined to impact lives far beyond what is imaginable.
Rachel, the spirited daughter of Hannah and Josiah, faces the weight of pregnancy, unmarried her lips sealed about the father’s identity. Cast out from her Amish community and estranged from her parents—after giving birth to her first son, Jasper—she finds solace in the care of a compassionate woman.
Years later, Rachel confronts the cycle once more, pregnant again (this time, the father remains a mystery as well). Her seventeen-year-old son, Jasper, brings her to the local veterinarian, Dr. Thomas Kennedy, for assistance. In a dramatic and tension-filled delivery, Dr. Kennedy brings into the world an astonishing eighteen-pound boy named Gabriel, but the joy is bittersweet, as Rachel tragically loses her life in the process.
Left to navigate the world without their mother, Jasper strives to raise his younger brother. As fate would have it, their devoted grandmother, Hannah, steps in to nurture her beloved grandson, Gabriel, in the sheltered embrace of the Amish community. The towering boy, as he grows, begins to draw the attention of those around him, his stature and spirit making an indelible mark on everyone he encounters.
At this pivotal moment, the story weaves through the perspectives of four unique voices, each revealing how their lives intertwine with Gabriel’s, and how he becomes a beacon of change.
~Hannah Fisher, Amish, loving mother and dedicated grandmother, is a woman of deep complexity. Conflicted between her unwavering Amish faith and the undeniable growth of Gabriel into an extraordinary young man, she wrestles with the challenge of keeping him grounded in the Amish tradition. As he matures, she reflects on her own childhood and grapples with the truths she uncovers about Gabriel’s burgeoning world, questioning the very tenets of her faith. The comforts of her close-knit community come with a price she never anticipated.
~Dr. Thomas Kennedy, the local veterinarian, is more at ease among animals than humans. He recognizes an innate connection between Gabriel and the creatures he cares for, quickly taking him under his wing. In Gabriel, he sees a kindred spirit, someone who is able to communicate with animals in a way that defies explanation.
~Billy Walton, the gregarious proprietor of the local bar, plays a pivotal role as the sponsor of the town’s T-ball team, where Gabriel embarks on his burgeoning sports career. With his larger-than-life presence, Billy becomes a mentor and a friend to the young athlete, helping him navigate the sometimes tumultuous waters of adolescence.
~Trey Beathard, a disgraced college football coach who becomes one of Gabriel’s mentors. Discovering in Gabriel not just a talented athlete, but a potential for greatness. He becomes one of Gabriel’s key mentors, steering him toward a future that could redefine not just his own life, but the lives of everyone around him.
Each of these four characters brings a unique narrative to the table, sharing how Gabriel not only touches their lives but profoundly transforms them in ways they could never have imagined.
My reflections...
A deeply moving and hauntingly beautiful narrative awaits you in LIFE, AND DEATH, AND GIANTS. This spellbinding tale will ensnare your heart from the very first page, compelling you to lose yourself in its exquisite prose and vivid imagery. The characters will linger in your thoughts long after the final chapter, thanks to Rindo's masterful writing that brings them to vivid life.
The story eloquently revolves around the remarkable Gabriel Fisher, a giant emerging from the humble roots of an Amish community in Wisconsin. Born into tragedy, he weighs an astonishing eighteen pounds, delivered by a single mother whose life is tragically cut short during childbirth. By seventeen, Gabriel becomes a towering figure, nearly eight feet tall, first spotted laboring in a hay field by the local football coach, marking the beginning of a transformative journey.
Gabriel possesses an extraordinary connection with the natural world, communing with animals in a way that seems almost ethereal. He defies expectations on the baseball diamond, the football field, and ultimately, on the global pro wrestling stage, where his larger-than-life persona captivates audiences. Yet, it is the depth of his heart and the kindness he embodies that truly cement his legendary status.
This poignant tale is narrated through the eyes of those whose lives he profoundly impacts: the devout grandmother wrestling with her faith, seeking solace in the belief that her prayers are answered; the country veterinarian who becomes a father figure, providing wisdom and guidance; the bar owner who deftly weaves together the threads of two disparate worlds; and the coach who stands beside him not only on the field but as a mentor through life's myriad challenges.
At its core, the story of Gabriel Fisher transcends the boundaries of his small Amish community, reaching out to touch the lives of many, illustrating the powerful connections that define our existence.
Infused with the poignant poetry of Emily Dickinson, the narrative explores the eternal battle between good and evil, the depth of human kindness, the strength of community, the embrace of faith, and the myriad forms of love. Prepare yourself with a box of Kleenex, for this novel invites you to reflect on the profound question: What is the best way to live one’s life?
Audiobook...
I had the pleasure of reading the book and listening to the audio. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of this stunning audiobook, hailed as one of the best of the year. This brilliant novel intricately weaves a tale of love and loss, exploring the dark undercurrents of evil alongside the radiant threads of growth and resilience. It is a poignant coming-of-age story centered around a remarkable young man whose life is irrevocably transformed by the power of kindness.
Richly layered, this narrative blends tragic elements with magical realism, creating an uplifting experience that resonates deeply with themes of family, survival, and hope.
The story unfolds through the spellbinding performances of an all-star cast, featuring the diverse talents of Christina Moore, Johnny Heller, Roger Wayne, and Will Damron. (fav). Each actor brings their characters to life with distinct and engaging voices, ensuring that the protagonist's unforgettable journey is fully realized.
As you listen, you'll find yourself drawn intimately into the vivid landscapes and emotional depths of the story, creating an engaging and immersive listening experience. With award-winning performances that captivate the heart and mind, this audiobook promises a stunning auditory adventure that you won't soon forget!
Recs...
LIFE, AND DEATH, AND GIANTS is nothing short of extraordinary! As you journey through its pages, you'll find yourself irresistibly drawn to the author’s previous works, eager to add him to your list of beloved writers.
The narrative may evoke a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of the uplifting popular show Ted Lasso, with its compelling blend of sportsmanship and mentorship, where truth is delicately intertwined with the transformative power of kindness. Furthermore, it weaves a rich tapestry akin to Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall, Go as a River by Shelley Read, and Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger.
Fans of Linda Castillo’s popular and gripping Kate Burkholder series Pray for Silence in the Amish genre, as well as the heartwarming narratives of Catherine Ryan Hyde, the introspective storytelling of Fredrik Backman, the poignant reflections of Allen Eskens, and the evocative prose of Ron Rash, will find themselves captivated by the deep themes and vibrant characters within these pages.
Special thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and #MacAudio2025 for providing an ARC and ALC via NetGalley and Google Play for my honest thoughts. Also purchased the hardcover for my home library.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub date: Sept 9, 2025
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Praise
"Straddling the Wisconsin of the Amish and “English,” Life, and Death, and Giants assays the limitations and temptations of the godly and the worldly. Ron Rindo has fashioned a small-town novel as magical and moral as a tall tale."
- Stewart O’Nan, author of Snow Angels and Songs for the Missing
"With Life, and Death, and Giants, Ron Rindo has performed literary magic. This is a remarkable, profoundly moving novel."
–Larry Watson, author of Montana 1948
"Like all the best tall-tales, legends, and folk stories, the size and skill of the hero matters to the narrative. But what matters more is the hero’s heart, and their willingness to sacrifice for a greater good to show their community and indeed, their country, what is possible, what is virtuous, what is best. The big beating heart of this novel is Gabriel Fisher, a 21st Century Paul Bunyan. But even more than Fisher is the book’s writer, Ron Rindo, who has crafted a novel that is remarkably generous, kind, and graceful. This is a novel that still believes in magic, goodness, and everyday heroes."
-Nickolas Butler, author of Shotgun Lovesongs and A Forty Year Kiss
"Ron Rindo’s deeply attentive and broadly generous novel, Life, and Death, and Giants, makes the sturdiest of stools out of its title’s three legs as it examines what happens when the mysterious interrupts the certainties we all cling to. Rindo reminds us, through his careful and loving prose, that the mysterious and the certain are always partnered, and if we choose to, if we pay close enough attention to ourselves and the worlds around us, and if we share the news of what we see, we may build our own sturdy stools, and step up, and discover the giant in us all." -
-Karen Shepard, author of Kiss Me Someone and The Celestials
"Life, and Death, and Giants is an intriguing and alluring novel from beginning to end. The events are startling, sad, amusing, invigorating, and informative. Reading it is like meeting a family that you never knew existed and becoming close friends in a few weeks. Highly recommended."
--Jane Smiley, author of Lucky and A Thousand Acres
"Extraordinary ... With its profound portraits of both Amish and secular characters and their luminously real community, this is a must-read." —Kirkus (starred review)
"Life, Death and Giants is a rare novel. I found it almost unbearably moving, yet hopeful and transcendent in all the best ways. Just read it. Lose yourself in it. Be changed by it."
--Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things
"Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo reads as a legit “food for the soul” kind of novel―poignant and funny."
--Real Simple
"spellbinding ... surprising and moving ... This will linger in readers’ minds."
-Publishers Weekly
"Skillful and meticulous ... Seamlessly blending the fantastical and the real, Rindo’s novel is an elegant testament to how an entire community is touched and transformed by the open heart and generosity of one kind, gentle, extraordinary human being." —Booklist (starred review)
"Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo reads as a legit “food for the soul” kind of novel—poignant and funny."
--Real Simple
"We didn’t know the name Ron Rindo before this stunning novel came our way, but we’re running the fan club now."
--Oprah Daily
About the Author
RON RINDO is a professor of English and creative writing at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He has published one previous novel, Breathing Lake Superior, and three short story collections. He lives in Pickett, Wisconsin. WEBSITE
