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Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake-Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia by Dennis Covington
kellysmaust's review
5.0
A sensitive, haunting exploration of snake-handling churches and a preacher who went to jail for allegedly murdering his wife with one of the snakes. Covington is not here to gawk at weirdos, he is fascinated by this increasingly obscure practice and studies these people as human beings. His observations of attending these services and talking to practitioners will stick with you.
karadotten1's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
ceegreen's review against another edition
5.0
This was a strange and wondeful read. I picked it because I love a bit of Southern Gothic, and this is a non-fiction take on that genre, a journalist going back to his roots in Alabama to investigate the snake handling phenomenon.
But several times I had to check that this is non-fiction, isn' t it? The 68 year old identically dressed twins, Burma and Irma; the distant relative who tells Dennis her two brothers had been eunuchs and when asked for details clarifies they had high voices, couldn't grow beards and were born without testicles, or the snake handler who decides after being bitten 3 times, that she'll just stick to the fire handling and strychnine drinking - that all happened. Didn't it?
The book is full of such intriguing bizzareness, it's made me rethink everything I've read in the Southern Gothic genre, because to trot out and modify an over-used, but so appropriate cliche, truth in the South seems to be at least as strange as fiction - no need to make it up!
But several times I had to check that this is non-fiction, isn' t it? The 68 year old identically dressed twins, Burma and Irma; the distant relative who tells Dennis her two brothers had been eunuchs and when asked for details clarifies they had high voices, couldn't grow beards and were born without testicles, or the snake handler who decides after being bitten 3 times, that she'll just stick to the fire handling and strychnine drinking - that all happened. Didn't it?
The book is full of such intriguing bizzareness, it's made me rethink everything I've read in the Southern Gothic genre, because to trot out and modify an over-used, but so appropriate cliche, truth in the South seems to be at least as strange as fiction - no need to make it up!
llkendrick's review
4.0
Joe and I once watched a documentary on the History Channel about Southern religions and they highlighted snake handlers. We both love learning about other religions so we found it fascinating. My inlaws (who we're living with) have a great library set up in Colton's current bedroom and I just love looking for new books to read there. This book caught my eye and when I saw that it was about snake handling, I was sold! I really liked this book a lot. It's a non-fiction so it thoroughly explains the history of snake handling and the authors personal experiences with it. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about snake handling churches in the Applachians.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I live in Tennessee, and am well aware of at least one snake handling church locally. They are of the Holiness branch of religious folks, and they are certainly a different group of people. I do not understand how people can believe that holding a wild animal that is full of potentially fatal venom is a way to prove that you are doing right in the eyes of God. That whole concept is just too far fetched for someone like me. The story of the attempted murder was unbelievable, but also not that shocking at the same time. It was a good book, not very long, but good. I suggested that my sister read this book, but I'm not sure if she ever did.
amberrose's review
4.0
This book definitely surprised me. Covington captures a culture I am not familiar with and presents it in a way that is engaging, hilarious, and heartbreaking. Sometimes simultaneously. A master of nonfiction, Covington pulls the reader into the world of snake-handling but by the end, I wasn't thinking this group were weirdos or extremists; they were complex, multi-faceted individuals acting as part of something true for themselves.
Weird and inspiring, this book definitely left it's mark.
Weird and inspiring, this book definitely left it's mark.
leilaniann's review
5.0
"Madness and religion were a hair's breadth away." Even if you don't believe in what they're doing, you gotta respect the deep passion they bring to it. I loved this book.