Back of the Book: Tall People

I stumbled upon the summary for 'Tall People' and honestly, I'm completely hooked by Seiryu Tokinage's character! When I first hear 'kaiju in NYC,' I usually think of destruction and chaos, but this book seems to flip that entirely on its head. Seiryu isn't just a giant lizard; he's a two-hundred-foot-tall being living in Brooklyn, trying his best to mesh into human society, which is such a fascinating twist. What truly defines Seiryu's persona for me, even from just this snippet, is his incredibly relatable struggle with feeling unappreciated. Here's this colossal creature, working as a one-man police unit, protecting New York City from alien attacks – talk about a demanding job! Yet, he's got these deep-seated gripes with the very people he saves and even those closest to him. It's a stark reminder that even heroes, especially ones of such immense scale, can feel isolated and undervalued. His relationships really paint a picture of his internal world. His roommate, Junior, a Tall bonobo, is beloved by New York for his window-washing job, while Seiryu, the city's protector, feels overlooked. Then there's Sook, his best friend, who's a giant fish-frog that's become an 'intolerant drunk,' and his 'Cloverfield-esque' girlfriend, Chloe, who's often too awkward to interest him. These aren't just quirky side characters; they highlight Seiryu's loneliness and the difficulty he faces in forming meaningful connections, despite his imposing stature. It makes his persona incredibly human, despite him being a giant lizard! The most intriguing part of Seiryu's journey is his internal battle against his own bitterness, fearing it might turn him into a 'kaiju' – a rogue Tall man who destroys cities and eats humans. This isn't just an external threat; it's a profound internal conflict. It speaks volumes about the psychological depth of these 'Tall people' and how their 'persona' can be shaped by their experiences and emotions. It’s not just about monsters, but about the monster within. I also loved the meta-commentary from the 'reviewers' like Godzilla and King Kong. It perfectly articulates why Seiryu's persona is so compelling: it finally grants these massive beings dignity and agency, giving them problems, feelings, and emotional victories instead of just being natural catastrophes or backdrops for human drama. It’s such a refreshing take on the urban fantasy genre, blending the epic scale of kaiju with the intimate struggles of an individual trying to navigate a complex social world. This unique approach to Seiryu's character makes me so excited to read the full novel and truly understand the intricacies of his persona and what it means to be a 'Tall person' in NYC.