The Journey of Smokey Barnable

Smokey Barnable, the enigmatic protagonist of Little, Big, abandons his mundane job of verifying phone book entries, embarking instead on a whimsical journey to Edgewood. There, he is destined to wed Daily Alice Drinkwater, entangling himself with the arcane and elusive fairy Tale. Though perceiving himself as a man devoid of depth, Smokey's union with Daily Alice unveils his newfound identity, a symbolic gift as he steps into the elaborate narrative of the fairy realm. Despite his inability to witness the fairies or truly believe in their existence, Smokey unknowingly enacts a pivotal role. As the tale concludes, he triumphantly revives an orrery—a celestial model—atop Edgewood's house, restoring cosmic harmony. In his final moments within the story, even though he cannot accompany Daily Alice and the others into the fairy world, Smokey exits the Tale with contentment and newfound wisdom.

Characters Entwined in the Tale

Smokey Barnable is not alone in his struggle to uncover his place within the grand narrative of the Tale. His son, Auberon Barnable, ventures into the city only to find love and subsequently lose it. Entangled in both the personal saga of his life and the familial fairy Tale, Auberon teeters on the brink of ruin until he ultimately reconciles with his destined role. Within Crowley's universe, an array of quirky characters each fulfill crucial roles in the Tale's unfolding events.

Among Smokey's kin is Auberon Drinkwater, who tirelessly attempts to capture on film the fairies visible to his family members. There's also August Drinkwater, who, overwhelmed by his fairy-bestowed allure, attempts to drown himself, only to transform into a shimmering silver trout. John Storm Drinkwater finds prosperity crafting children's animal stories, which he insists are mere transcriptions of tales relayed by the creatures themselves. A host of fairies, elves, gnomes, and mystical beings populate this world, all vital to the enigmatic Tale. Its aim—to fortify the fairy world against human encroachment—is never directly stated, yet the Tale finds its resolution in a fairy parliament where characters assume new, mythic identities as the novel reaches its close.