A brief, poignant tale of woe with a deceptively simple plot that grapples with our faith in community and institutions

Despite its deceptively innocent title, “A Giant Comes” by AJ Saxsma does not belong in the same literary realm as childhood favorites like “The Iron Giant” or “Clifford the Big Red Dog.” Drawing inspiration from cautionary tales such as “Don’t Look Up” and the gritty reality of “Attack on Titan,” this book presents a straightforward premise that masks a web of timely and interconnected themes: a giant is approaching, and the village must prepare.

The story opens with a young boy whose job as a newsboy serves as a lifeline, preventing him and his alcoholic, abusive father from descending into homelessness and abject poverty. In the course of his work, the boy is entrusted with delivering a package to an old man who initially refuses it. However, he is eventually invited inside, where the old man shares a story that explains his rejection of the package.

The tale unfolds as a boy joins forces with a traveler on a mission to deliver a vital message to a neighboring village. The traveler claims to have encountered a giant on his journey, with the creature heading straight for the village. While the village elder believes the traveler’s account, the rest of the community becomes divided, and the traveler finds himself at odds with everyday citizens, merchants, and even the church, especially when weeks pass without any sign of the giant.

As faith in the traveler’s claims wanes, the townspeople, led by the priest, respond with violence towards the outsiders. However, a shocking discovery ultimately sheds light on the situation.

AJ Saxsma’s novel serves as a microcosmic reflection of our present world. Beneath the seemingly orderly and organized village lies a simmering undercurrent of social, economic, and religious injustices that swiftly rise to the surface upon the traveler’s proclamation. “A Giant Comes” holds up a mirror, revealing just how close we are to disaster. Throughout history, civilization has demonstrated its vulnerability, teetering on the edge of collapse. The novel raises essential questions: What happens when we see beyond the scapegoats to the systemic issues beneath? What occurs when we recognize that faith in our institutions and communities is all that holds everything together? Saxsma presents these questions without providing definitive answers, leaving readers to grapple with them.

The author’s nimble and engaging writing style propels readers effortlessly through the pages, while the book’s stirring and thought-provoking themes offer ample material for contemplation. “A Giant Comes” is a brief yet impactful work that exposes the futility and vanity of our societal structures.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book and eagerly anticipate future works from AJ Saxsma.