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terriep's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Chapters alternating between 3 different first person narrators gives the story a fullness of detail. 9 year old Jess is the younger brother of a mute (autistic?) boy and the story from his viewpoint covers all the helplessness and sadness of a little boy whose life is falling apart around him. 80 year old Adelaide is the community's midwife and holistic healer, keeper of secrets and from her perspective we get the town's history and the regret carried by someone who feels like they should have helped more. Clem is the 60ish year old sheriff who saw the evil in town but left it alone and the results of that neglect are a terrible tragedy that he regrets. The other main character is the 'evil' quasi-pastor of a fundamentalist church (cult?) who is charismatic and cajoles and bullies his followers into faith healings, handling of snakes, etc. Tragedy follows him, and yet he continues to survive.
The story is sad, frustrating, and even when you can see where things are headed, it's like watching a car wreck.....you can't look away. There was a bit of a surprise at the end and it was a pretty tidy wrap up, but still a really well told story. It is very evocative of the place and era and of a small, rural town in N Carolina.
The story is sad, frustrating, and even when you can see where things are headed, it's like watching a car wreck.....you can't look away. There was a bit of a surprise at the end and it was a pretty tidy wrap up, but still a really well told story. It is very evocative of the place and era and of a small, rural town in N Carolina.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Toxic relationship
Minor: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Gun violence, and Torture
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