Join fellow Natchitoches readers excited about our morning book club, Literary Lagniappe, with discussion guided by Marné Deranger. A lifelong reader, Marné collaborates with authors and publishers, reviewing new releases and helping her followers discover their ideal books and audiobooks. Follow her as ReaderByTheWater on Instagram and Facebook.

LIFE, AND DEATH, AND GIANTS by Ron Rindo 

Genre: Literary Fiction

TL;DR: An Amish "giant" with mysterious gifts upends a small Wisconsin community.

Read this if you liked: A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY by John Irving, BIG FISH, or the quiet, soulful Americana of Marilynne Robinson's GILEAD.

As Spring springs forth, let’s read something completely original: a moving story of faith, family, buried secrets, and everyday miracles.

“A young, unmarried Amish woman, attended by the country veterinarian, delivers an enormous baby, and no one in Lakota, Wisconsin, knows what to make of the boy. Raised by his brother on a struggling farm, Gabriel Fisher walks at eight months, communicates with animals, and possesses extraordinary athletic abilities. When his brother dies, Gabriel is taken in by his devout Amish grandparents and, for a time, he disappears into the anonymity of Amish life. But then, aged seventeen and nearly eight feet tall, Gabriel is spotted working in a hayfield by the local football coach, and his life changes forever.

In Life, and Death, and Giants, Gabriel’s remarkable story is told by those whose lives are transformed by Thomas Kennedy, the veterinarian who delivers him and becomes his mentor; Hannah Fisher, Gabriel’s Amish grandmother, who is 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 counsel Gabriel as his fame explodes – with consequences that no one could have predicted.”

It’s a story about what happens when the extraordinary meets the quietest, most traditional way of life.

Marné

aka "ReaderByTheWater"

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LET US KNOW YOU’LL BE THERE BY CLICKING HERE TODAY — includes complimentary wine, and a themed dinner.

Price: $28.00 (just bring your book and your thoughts; we’ll provide everything else).*

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

6:00 PM  - 8:00 PM

Natchitoches Picnic Company

*Classes & Events Cancellation & No Show Policy

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🔸 Cancellations

• More than 72 hours before class: You may receive 100% credit towards a future class at Natchitoches Picnic Company, or transfer your ticket to another guest.

• Less than 72 hours before class: You may receive 50% credit towards a future class at Natchitoches Picnic Company, or transfer your ticket to another guest.

• Same-day cancellations are considered a no-show.

🔸 No Shows

• If you do not attend your reserved class and have not contacted us in advance, your reservation will be forfeited, and no refund or credit will be issued.

🔸 Minimum Enrollment & Weather Cancellations

• We reserve the right to cancel a class if minimum enrollment is not met or in the case of severe weather. In this case, you will receive 100% credit towards a future class at Natchitoches Picnic Company.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Our classes are carefully planned, and your reservation helps us create the best experience possible for all attendees.