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mommamouse's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mooncrab's review against another edition
5.0
A debut novel??? Woah. SO impressive. This is an amazing book. It’s described as a “literary thriller” which is a perfect category for it; the slow-burning suspense builds alongside nuanced, beautiful writing. It’s ripe with foreshadowing and multiple perspectives on the same events. Appalachia is always a great setting, and while it is more of a background character in this story, the regional culture & experiences provide the overall context which is unique and interesting. The main themes are family & community, but so much ground is covered: religion, abuse of power, secrets, loyalty, lost innocence, addiction, grief & loss, redemption, hope. I had to remind myself to breathe for the entire last third of the book, it is so intense and vivid and heartbreakingly satisfying. The ending is perfect. This is a flawless novel to me and I’m now going to read everything else this author has written.
monica716's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome story told from three different perspectives about the dark side of devout belief in a Southern Baptist church. Definitely one of my best reads this summer!
naturegirlj9's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. A modern Greek tragedy. I read this book in one 3-hour sitting because I couldn't put it down. It meanders a bit and the flashback sequences are not clearly delineated. Yet I can't say it felt slow. It did break my heart, however. I highly recommend this book.
lisawhelpley's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted a more fulfilling ending. Took me entirety too long to read.
cathiedalziel's review against another edition
2.0
Not my cup of tea.
A story about a small town and the influence of a snake-handling preacher and his followers.
If you liked Deliverance you would probably like this.
Are all American Southerners lyin', cheatin' bullyiing, Church-going folks that like to take matters into their own hands?
A story about a small town and the influence of a snake-handling preacher and his followers.
If you liked Deliverance you would probably like this.
Are all American Southerners lyin', cheatin' bullyiing, Church-going folks that like to take matters into their own hands?
mmseitz822's review against another edition
4.0
This book is told from three different perspectives ...
Jess Hall is a young boy who knows better than to spy on adults but that's exactly what he does when his brother, Stump, is taken into the church where no other children ever go. Stump is mute and has never said a word since he's been born. When he is taken into the church, Jess has to spy through the windows to see what happens since he knows his brother won't be able to tell him. What he witnesses leaves him uneasy and makes him feel like he has to protect Stump from it happening again.
Adelaide Lyle is an older woman in the town. She teaches Sunday school to the children of the town while the adults are at church. Adelaide refuses to let the children attend the church run by Pastor Chambliss after witnessing someone die during one of his services. His ways of finding Jesus and "saving" parishioners is very extreme and unorthodox.
Clem Barefield is the town sheriff who is haunted by a dark past of his own. He looks into Pastor Chambliss when he first comes into town and finds out he's not what he seems. After something tragic happens to Stump during one of his services, Clem is left to try to make sense of what has happened and make sure justice is served.
Jess Hall is a young boy who knows better than to spy on adults but that's exactly what he does when his brother, Stump, is taken into the church where no other children ever go. Stump is mute and has never said a word since he's been born. When he is taken into the church, Jess has to spy through the windows to see what happens since he knows his brother won't be able to tell him. What he witnesses leaves him uneasy and makes him feel like he has to protect Stump from it happening again.
Adelaide Lyle is an older woman in the town. She teaches Sunday school to the children of the town while the adults are at church. Adelaide refuses to let the children attend the church run by Pastor Chambliss after witnessing someone die during one of his services. His ways of finding Jesus and "saving" parishioners is very extreme and unorthodox.
Clem Barefield is the town sheriff who is haunted by a dark past of his own. He looks into Pastor Chambliss when he first comes into town and finds out he's not what he seems. After something tragic happens to Stump during one of his services, Clem is left to try to make sense of what has happened and make sure justice is served.