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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this is one of the best books I've ever read. Originally a serial novel published in six parts, this is a 50-year story about a rich family in a small Alabama town whose son and heir marries a mysterious woman who shows up on the day of a catastrophic flood. Although McDowell's known as a horror author, this is mostly a southern gothic family drama, with lots of soap opera scheming and complex, shifting relationships between the cast. Though when the supernatural does intrude into the story it does so effectively and often brutally - this book has possibly the most distressing description of a monster murder I have ever read. Mostly though, it's just an extremely well-told story with a big cast of really engaging characters on a large scale that smoothly shifts and changes what exactly it's about and what it's doing in a way that's pretty masterful. It's a shame that McDowell is so obscure, because this book is fantastic and is definitely a lost classic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Racism
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is southern Gothic horror / Lovecraftian with a multi generational focus. It's so normal sometimes that you forget it's got a super natural element. The characters and their relationships are well developed, and it there are many surprises along rh way. What a gem.
This was ... epic. There are a few family sagas out there in book format and I'm usually not all too interested in them. This one, however, promised to be a horror story besides and it was about a little town in Alabama surrounded by swamp and mystery (perfect theme to read about in summer). Let me say it right at the beginning: this is NOT a horror story. Not really. Did that mar my enjoyment? Not one bit!
We start in 1919 when a flood has destroyed much in the little town of Perdido, Alabama. A hotel has been evacuated but when the son of a wealthy matron and a black servant drive by the halfway submerged hotel in their little boat, they discover a young woman in one of the rooms. After "rescuing" her, she (Elinor) is introduced to the family and town and decides to stay.
At this point, the family consists chiefly of Marie-Love (the afore-mentioned matron), as well as James (Marie-Love's brother-in-law), Grace (James' daughter), Oscar (Marie-Love's son), and "Sister" (just her call-name but still weird, Marie-Love's daughter). Marie-Love is a widow, James is married but his wife is usually drunk out of her mind and living in Nashville.
Two of the three lumber mills in Perdido belong to Marie-Love and James so you can imagine the family's status in the small town.
For some in the family, Elinor's arrival is a blessing. Others regard her as a threat.
We thus follow the family as they grow both in family members as well as wealth and see the history of this exemplary little town in the American South throughout many years. The story, therefore, is as much about the life in such a small town, the different characters populating the country throughout the decades, the individual family members, and the business itself. We see evolution and change, happy and sad moments. The author didn't shy away from showing the ugliness of racial clashes (though only tangentially, the family itself is nice to their servants at least), rape and even addressed different kinds of sexuality (considering the time this was written in and the family he apparently grew up with himself, that is remarkable).
Overall, there is a slight supernatural twist to this that the author isn't really making a mystery about. The reader is shown early on who the supernatural element is and even what (at least to a degree). This supernatural seed is growing in the Perdido river, triggering a number of events, some of which I did see coming and some of which I didn't expect.
Sometimes it was a bit weird what these people considered normal and how nobody investigated but simply accepted as given. This, as far as the author showed, was not due to a supernatural influence so it says a lot about people's mentality.
The only thing really "horror" about this story was how these people swapped babies around because they couldn't live in a house without one. Sheesh! However, that was a nice bridge to telling of family expectations and the pressure put onto the respective next generation. Nevertheless, it was crazy!
Sadly, due to certain real-life relatives (mine), I can attest to some people actually being like Marie-Love. Pretending they do what they do because they want best and know best and they'll crush you if you oppose them because it's really only about what they want, no matter who they hurt.
So yeah, there was certainly quite a lot of drama, at least until, but it was still not marring my enjoyment of the book for some reason. Regardless of all the schemes and machinations, I usually couldn't wait to see new family members and find out how they would get along, what they would end up doing, what was to become of the Caskeys.
The writing style was fluent, usually placid and not very sensationalist. Some might even say it's too mild or "boring", but I'd have to disagree. Even the most shocking events were told in a way that made me feel as if the southern heat had gotten to me. And yes, I do think that was done on purpose and I think it worked rather well.
We start in 1919 when a flood has destroyed much in the little town of Perdido, Alabama. A hotel has been evacuated but when the son of a wealthy matron and a black servant drive by the halfway submerged hotel in their little boat, they discover a young woman in one of the rooms. After "rescuing" her, she (Elinor) is introduced to the family and town and decides to stay.
At this point, the family consists chiefly of Marie-Love (the afore-mentioned matron), as well as James (Marie-Love's brother-in-law), Grace (James' daughter), Oscar (Marie-Love's son), and "Sister" (just her call-name but still weird, Marie-Love's daughter). Marie-Love is a widow, James is married but his wife is usually drunk out of her mind and living in Nashville.
Two of the three lumber mills in Perdido belong to Marie-Love and James so you can imagine the family's status in the small town.
For some in the family, Elinor's arrival is a blessing. Others regard her as a threat.
We thus follow the family as they grow both in family members as well as wealth and see the history of this exemplary little town in the American South throughout many years. The story, therefore, is as much about the life in such a small town, the different characters populating the country throughout the decades, the individual family members, and the business itself. We see evolution and change, happy and sad moments. The author didn't shy away from showing the ugliness of racial clashes (though only tangentially, the family itself is nice to their servants at least), rape and even addressed different kinds of sexuality (considering the time this was written in and the family he apparently grew up with himself, that is remarkable).
Overall, there is a slight supernatural twist to this that the author isn't really making a mystery about. The reader is shown early on who the supernatural element is and even what (at least to a degree). This supernatural seed is growing in the Perdido river, triggering a number of events, some of which I did see coming and some of which I didn't expect.
Sometimes it was a bit weird what these people considered normal and how nobody investigated but simply accepted as given. This, as far as the author showed, was not due to a supernatural influence so it says a lot about people's mentality.
The only thing really "horror" about this story was how these people swapped babies around because they couldn't live in a house without one. Sheesh! However, that was a nice bridge to telling of family expectations and the pressure put onto the respective next generation. Nevertheless, it was crazy!
Sadly, due to certain real-life relatives (mine), I can attest to some people actually being like Marie-Love. Pretending they do what they do because they want best and know best and they'll crush you if you oppose them because it's really only about what they want, no matter who they hurt.
So yeah, there was certainly quite a lot of drama, at least until
Spoiler
Marie-Love was finally killedThe writing style was fluent, usually placid and not very sensationalist. Some might even say it's too mild or "boring", but I'd have to disagree. Even the most shocking events were told in a way that made me feel as if the southern heat had gotten to me. And yes, I do think that was done on purpose and I think it worked rather well.
“She hates that levee the way you and I hate hell and the Republicans.”
In another Southern Gothic classic, McDowell paints quite a picture. Surrounded by swampy lands and wrap around porches, the Caskey family takes in a stranger after a flood in 1919. This stranger, Elinor, changes this family; changes it for the better. But she has a secret that she can't even tell her new husband, Oscar.
The Saga spans over 50 years and four generations. The family survives the Great Depression, the Second World War, and even a few personal tragedies. There are ups and there are lows, but one thing is for sure, the women of the Caskey clan sure do take care of business.
The whole saga includes serious topics like race, misogyny, rape, and homosexuality, with such kindness and care for the period and location, I was genuinely surprised. This family may not be perfect, but they stick together through anything.
Normally I wouldn't care for such a slow burn. I like action and getting to the big bad, yet I couldn't put this down! I was so interested in the family and their closeness that I didn't care too much when horrific things weren't happening. When they did happen, they were without mercy and soaked in blood. Overall, I laughed often, got angry, and even cried.
This is my third McDowell novel and as with the others, I can't say enough good things without spoilers. So go read this!
I enjoyed the story about the family and their fortunes over several decades, but if you are looking for horror, which it seems it is being touted as, you will probably be disappointed. There is nothing remotely scary in this book. There are about 5 scenes which I guess were supposed to be somewhat scary, but for me they were just meh.
Perhaps it is because it was written in a different era and it takes more to shock us nowadays, or maybe I just don’t understand what southern gothic is.
It’s an enjoyable enough multi-generational family saga, but not a horror novel.
Perhaps it is because it was written in a different era and it takes more to shock us nowadays, or maybe I just don’t understand what southern gothic is.
It’s an enjoyable enough multi-generational family saga, but not a horror novel.
dark
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When I think of southern literature I usually go to Faulkner, O'Connor, Welty, etc. This is the first I have heard of Michael McDowell. The story is excellent and since I read the complete saga I got a real good sense of the history behind the story. I found it captivating and entertaining. I don't think I would rate McDowell with those three legends mentioned above but this was an excellent story. It's like watching a movie about a traditional southern family and all of a sudden something really weird happens and you have to go back and reread the passage again to make sure you got it right! I don't know if I'd call this Southern Gothic or Horror but regardless it is very entertaining.
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated