Author: Gin PhillipsGenre: Southern Fiction
Published: 2008
Personal Rating: 4.25/5
Yearly Count: 81
This southern story revolves around the Moore family who live in Alabama during the depression. The five members of the family (Albert, Leta, Virgie, Tess and Jack) contribute to the story by narrating from their own perspective. The story progresses in this manner without the retelling of events.
It begins one evening on the back porch. Tess, the nine-year-old daughter, watches a woman throw her baby into their family well. Add that shocking action together with coal mines, racism, poverty, and down home living - you get yourself this authentic southern book.
Oddly enough, this one was a difficult one for me to rate. When I closed the book, I wasn't left with the feeling of awe or wow, which usually prompts a high rating. However, soon after, I remembered the feelings I had while I was reading it. I had a tremendous sense of time and place; I could hear each character's distinctive and realistic voice; the word choice was interesting and the overall tone of the book was excellent. In this case, it ends up that I didn't have to be blown away in order to appreciate its value. This first time novelist is someone to watch. She knows how to tell a southern story.
Sounds like a good book, Joy!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked this one, Joy! What delighted me most about it is that it is "peopled" with decent folks, all trying to do the right thing. Those sorts of books are few and far between these days. I loved the family dynamics, and the decency of the characters.
ReplyDeleteThis is to date in 2008 our biggest seller at the store, by a very wide margin!
Wow, this sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fabulous review, Joy! I'd never even heard of this one before, but you can be sure it's going directly to the wish list!
ReplyDeleteMary ~ If you like southern books, you'll like it.
ReplyDeleteEleanor ~ What you said is exactly what I meant when I wrote "the overall tone of the book was excellent". :)
Nicola ~ It is - in a quiet sort of way.
Debi ~ It's a 2008 book, so if you're doing the Pub Challenge - it fits. And, it's not a long book either.
Another one for the TBR--I love a good southern drama. I find that even if I don't know what to do with a book when I'm finished, if I keep thinking about it I end up liking it more and more--not that I think about the book on purpose, but I can't stop thinking about the book. Not sure that makes sense, but whatever!!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Joy! I added it to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteTrish ~ I understand exactly what you are saying! For me, this was one of those books.
ReplyDeleteTeddy Rose ~ I hope it'll be a winner for you, if you get to it.
Added this to my tbr...thanks Joy!
ReplyDeleteSamantha ~ If you like Southern books, you'll like this one.
ReplyDelete