Giants have long been a fascinating subject in mythology, folklore, and literature. From ancient tales of divine beings to modern works of fantasy and science fiction, the colossal figures have captured the imagination of readers everywhere. In various books, giants are portrayed as both awe-inspiring creatures and menacing foes, reflecting the diverse ways in which they have been perceived across different cultures and time periods.
The allure of giants is, in part, due to their prevalence in a wide range of literary works. Classics like “Gulliver’s Travels” and “Jack and the Beanstalk” have entertained generations of readers with their thrilling encounters with giant beings. In more recent times, authors have continued to explore the subject of giants, offering fresh perspectives and introducing new characters to the genre. This ensures that the list of books about giants continues to grow, providing readers with an extensive selection of stories featuring these enigmatic beings.
History of Giants in Literature
Biblical References
The presence of giants in literature can be traced back to various religious texts, particularly the Hebrew Bible. In the Book of Genesis, the Nephilim are mentioned as the offspring of the “sons of God” and “daughters of men.” This term is sometimes interpreted as giants or fallen angels. Furthermore, the Book of Giants, an apocryphal Jewish book, expands on the story of the Nephilim by covering the Watchers, a group of angels that descended to Earth and corrupted humans. The Book of Enoch, another ancient Jewish text, also references the giants and their connection with fallen angels.
Ancient Sources
In addition to the Hebrew Bible, giants have a significant presence in various ancient mythologies. For example, the Aramaic and Babylonian cultures feature giants in their legends and mythological tales. Manichaeism, an ancient dualistic religion, incorporates stories of colossal beings in its beliefs. The Dead Sea Scrolls also contain references to giants, specifically the Watchers and Nephilim, found at Qumran, a site that served as a hub for multiple religious manuscripts.
Later Interpretations
The concept of giants in literature has evolved throughout time. Later interpretations of giants have emerged in various works, such as the Brobdingnagians in Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels“. Many poets and writers, like William Blake and Edward J. B. Thomas, have been inspired by giants and incorporated them into their work. The story of Noah and the giants has even been analyzed by Christian scholars like Augustine of Hippo, who speculated on the origins and roles of giants in religious texts.
Throughout history, giants have fascinated people, featuring prominently in various cultures’ myths and legends. As seen in early religious texts such as the Hebrew Bible and Aramaic sources, giants have been continuously woven into our literary fabric, evolving and adapting to new cultural contexts and interpretations.
Famous Books About Giants
Classics
The Selfish Giant
One of the most famous classic books about giants is “The Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde. This is a heartfelt story about a giant who learns about love and altruism through his interactions with children.
The BFG
Another well-known classic is “The BFG” by Roald Dahl, featuring a friendly giant who gives people dreams and relies on his friendship with a young girl to save the world from man-eating giants.
The Book of the Giants
Within Christian mythology, “The Book of the Giants” plays a role in tying the ancient stories to the idea of giants. This lost Jewish apocryphal work has been reconstructed and translated by scholars such as W.B. Henning and Augustine. It details the story of fallen angels, also known as the Nephilim, who inhabit the Earth and give birth to giant offspring before the Great Flood.
Modern Works
Sleeping Giants
In the realm of modern works, “Sleeping Giants” by Sylvain Neuvel is a notable science fiction novel that revolves around the discovery of a giant metal hand buried deep in the Earth. The protagonist, Dr. Rose Franklin, leads a team of scientists and military personnel to unravel the mystery.
Odd and the Frost Giants
Another recent work featuring giants is “Odd and the Frost Giants” by Neil Gaiman, a young adult fantasy novel that weaves Norse mythology with the adventure of a young boy named Odd who must save the world from the titular Frost Giants.
A Monster Calls
An interesting take on giants appears in “A Monster Calls” by Patrick Ness, where the protagonist encounters a tree-like giant creature known as the Monster. While this novel doesn’t directly feature traditional giants, the Monster and the story’s themes borrow elements from both art and literature to convey a powerful message about pain, loss, and hope.
Genres of Giants Tales
Giants have captured the imagination of authors and readers across various literary genres. The fascinating tales involve these larger-than-life characters and cover a wide spectrum of themes. In this section, we’ll explore genres such as science fiction, comics, fantasy, and poetry that portray giants in unique ways.
Science Fiction
In the realm of science fiction, giants often represent an astonishing discovery or an unnerving threat. These narratives depict giants as beings from other worlds, products of advanced technology, or results of mutations within a futuristic or alternate universe. Such portrayals can be found in titles like H.G. Wells’ “The Food of the Gods,” where a mysterious substance causes creatures to grow to enormous proportions, including humans.
Comics
The comic book genre allows for boundless creativity, and giants are no exception in this world. In comic series like Marvel’s “Giant-Man“ and DC’s “Giganta,” giants are depicted as superheroes or villains, deriving their powers from various sources – including supernatural, scientific, or cosmic. These characters often engage in epic battles, showcasing their colossal size and incredible strength in visually striking panels.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a popular genre for giant tales, providing a space where magic and mythical creatures coexist. Giants often appear as powerful, ancient beings, dominating the landscape and influencing the world around them. Notable titles include Roald Dahl’s “The BFG,” where a friendly giant introduces a young girl to the fantastical land of giants, and Neil Gaiman’s “Odd and the Frost Giants,” where the protagonist embarks on a journey to save the gods from menacing giants.
Poetry
Giants have also made their way into poetic works, with authors using them as metaphors, symbols, or literal subjects of their verses. These poems describe the magnificence and awe-inspiring nature of giants in a unique form, emphasizing their impact on human and mythical experiences. Examples include the classic epic poem “Beowulf,” where the eponymous hero faces off against a fearsome giant called Grendel, and contemporary poems that reexamine giants in modern contexts, reflecting on our fascination with these titans.
Interviews and Recommendations
Author’s Interviews
In the realm of literature about giants, various authors have contributed to the genre by sharing their perspectives and experiences through interviews. For instance, John and James, known for their collaborative works on giants, explained their fascination with these mythical creatures in an engaging conversation with a popular blog. Similarly, Michael and Charles, two other renowned writers, have shared their inspirations and research processes in podcasts and online journals.
From their interviews, it becomes evident that these authors draw inspiration from diverse sources – from ancient mythology to modern-day interpretations of giants. They demonstrate a deep understanding of the topic and a genuine enthusiasm for sharing their imaginative worlds with readers.
Book Recommendations
For readers interested in exploring the world of giants, several highly recommended books are available. These publications cover a wide range of genres and styles, catering to different tastes and age groups. Here is a list of some popular and highly-rated giant-themed books:
- The BFG by Roald Dahl: A classic children’s book that tells the enchanting story of a little girl named Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant- BFG. This heartwarming tale explores friendship, courage, and overcoming adversity.
- The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde: A beautifully written allegorical tale about a selfish giant who learns the importance of love, kindness, and selflessness.
- Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel: This science fiction novel takes an intense and thrilling journey into the discovery of giant alien artifacts and the potential consequences of unearthing them.
- The Book of Giants by W.B. Henning and Augustine: A historical retelling that re-imagines an ancient text about a race of fallen angels called the Nephilim giants, who once ruled the earth.
- Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman: An adventurous story filled with Norse mythology that follows the journey of a young boy named Odd who sets out to aid a group of giants.
The above books, along with works by the influential authors George and Xar, provide readers with a fantastic starting point for delving into the world of giants. They offer a diverse range of narratives and perspectives, showcasing the imaginative insights and thoughtful storytelling that can be found in literature about these towering beings.
Giants in Cultural Context
Giants in World Religions
In various world religions, giants have played a significant role, often appearing as powerful and feared entities. In Christianity and Judaism, for example, giants are mentioned in the context of the Nephilim – offspring of the Watchers (fallen angels) and human women. These beings are described as giants in the Book of Genesis and are also referenced in other biblical texts, such as the Books of Enoch, where they are depicted engaging in battles with archangels like Raphael and Gabriel.
Apart from the Nephilim, giants known as Gibborim were prominent in the Hebrew Bible. These beings, also of great stature, were connected to the pre-flood era and often painted as mighty warriors. Similarly, in other religious traditions, giants appear as well, often fulfilling similar roles as both imposing adversaries and intriguing figures of mystery.
Giants in Mythologies
The presence of giants extends beyond religious contexts and is deeply rooted in various mythologies from cultures across the globe. These giants embodied similar themes of power, strength, and moral ambiguity.
Some examples of these giants in mythology include:
- Greek Mythology: The Titans and Gigantes, enormous beings who battled with the gods of Olympus, played central roles in Greek mythic narratives. The Cyclops were another race of giants, known for their single-eyed appearance and often portrayed as working as blacksmiths for the gods.
- Norse Mythology: The Jötunn, also called frost giants or giants of chaos, were an integral aspect of Norse mythology. They lived in the realm of Jotunheim and continuously waged wars against the gods of Asgard.
- Celtic Mythology: Fomorians, a race of supernatural giants, often inhabited the role of opposition to the hero in many Celtic myths and legends. These beings were commonly viewed as malevolent and destructive forces but could also be seen as symbols of nature or fertility in some narratives.
Across various cultures, religions, and mythologies, giants have been a recurring theme, reflecting the complex interplay between power, fear, and the human desire to understand the unknown.
