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kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Set in rural North Carolina, with a different kind of church at the center, this book took the reader into a part of the country that isn't in the news that often. Jess and his older brother Christopher have been kept out of the church meetings with the rest of the children by the aid of an elderly women, and one of the three narrators - Miss Lyle. Jess is the second narrator and the third is a police detective by the name of Clem Barefield, these three narrators each have a different perspective on this story and help it to unfold seamlessly.
Set in rural North Carolina, with a different kind of church at the center, this book took the reader into a part of the country that isn't in the news that often. Jess and his older brother Christopher have been kept out of the church meetings with the rest of the children by the aid of an elderly women, and one of the three narrators - Miss Lyle. Jess is the second narrator and the third is a police detective by the name of Clem Barefield, these three narrators each have a different perspective on this story and help it to unfold seamlessly.
spinstah's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a little bit to get into this, probably because it was so different than what I had just put down, but ultimately I very much enjoyed it. The characters were archetypes, but at the same time they were interesting - they'd been fleshed out just enough. And the story is told from three perspectives, which worked well. It's not as western feeling as the description made me think it would be - more that it's set in a very small town in a desolate landscape.
carolpk's review against another edition
4.0
quoted from the publisher...
"A stunning debut reminiscent of the beloved novels of John Hart and Tom Franklin, A Land More Kind Than Home is a mesmerizing literary thriller about the bond between two brothers and the evil they face in a small western North Carolina town."
I'm not certain I'd use the word stunning but Wiley Cash's debut is good. I am in agreement that there's a moodiness to the story reminiscent of Tom Franklin and John Hart. Fans of these authors might give this a try. I don't think I can do much better describing the book than the above blurb but here's my thoughts.
Serpents, preachers, forked tongues, tent revivals, and hallelujah was my first impression. I don't like snakes and when they're used for healing I like them even less. This made me wonder if I could make it through the story. The opening scene of a copperhead coming fang to hand with an elderly parishioner was almost enough to make me drop the book. It also did nothing to encourage me to be part of this church and immediately made me dislike the snake handling minister. I'm glad I put my phobia aside and read on.
I liked the use of character point of view (3) that Cash used in narration. It allowed the happenings to unfold slowly and then with a edgy tension that I loved. Of course there were more people involved but we learn about them from a midwife, the sheriff, and the younger of the two brothers mentioned above. There's an underlying steaminess evocative of heat to the story which is strange because there's also a whole lot of snow and cold in the story's location of Marshall, North Carolina.
My favorite character was Jess, the younger brother. His relationship with his older brother nicknamed Stump but called by his christian name, Christopher by his mother, is poignant yet rings true with the normal rivalry of brothers in any family Stump, who never speaks, and Jess have a way of communicating without words and their strong bound is apparent and an important aspect of the story. My least favorite character, Chambliss, is the manipulating, evil preacher. Jess's parents and paternal grandfather who shows up half way through the story are solid and interesting.
Jess questions where his grandfather's been all this time and why so long. The answer in part...
"I just have, he said. "I just went away."
"Why?"
He sat there quiet like he was thinking hard about what he wanted to say next, and then I saw his head turn like he was looking over his shoulder. "Because sometimes we do things we can't take back, and we need to go away and leave folks alone and let them forget us for a while."
"What did you do?"
"Lots of things, he said."
The last character I'll mention is Sheriff Barefield who has a job to do and despite his painful past manages to do it well.
Small towns have lots of secrets and Marshall is no exception. These secrets and those that hold them are revealed as the book picks up momentum to a satisfying conclusion.
"A stunning debut reminiscent of the beloved novels of John Hart and Tom Franklin, A Land More Kind Than Home is a mesmerizing literary thriller about the bond between two brothers and the evil they face in a small western North Carolina town."
I'm not certain I'd use the word stunning but Wiley Cash's debut is good. I am in agreement that there's a moodiness to the story reminiscent of Tom Franklin and John Hart. Fans of these authors might give this a try. I don't think I can do much better describing the book than the above blurb but here's my thoughts.
Serpents, preachers, forked tongues, tent revivals, and hallelujah was my first impression. I don't like snakes and when they're used for healing I like them even less. This made me wonder if I could make it through the story. The opening scene of a copperhead coming fang to hand with an elderly parishioner was almost enough to make me drop the book. It also did nothing to encourage me to be part of this church and immediately made me dislike the snake handling minister. I'm glad I put my phobia aside and read on.
I liked the use of character point of view (3) that Cash used in narration. It allowed the happenings to unfold slowly and then with a edgy tension that I loved. Of course there were more people involved but we learn about them from a midwife, the sheriff, and the younger of the two brothers mentioned above. There's an underlying steaminess evocative of heat to the story which is strange because there's also a whole lot of snow and cold in the story's location of Marshall, North Carolina.
My favorite character was Jess, the younger brother. His relationship with his older brother nicknamed Stump but called by his christian name, Christopher by his mother, is poignant yet rings true with the normal rivalry of brothers in any family Stump, who never speaks, and Jess have a way of communicating without words and their strong bound is apparent and an important aspect of the story. My least favorite character, Chambliss, is the manipulating, evil preacher. Jess's parents and paternal grandfather who shows up half way through the story are solid and interesting.
Jess questions where his grandfather's been all this time and why so long. The answer in part...
"I just have, he said. "I just went away."
"Why?"
He sat there quiet like he was thinking hard about what he wanted to say next, and then I saw his head turn like he was looking over his shoulder. "Because sometimes we do things we can't take back, and we need to go away and leave folks alone and let them forget us for a while."
"What did you do?"
"Lots of things, he said."
The last character I'll mention is Sheriff Barefield who has a job to do and despite his painful past manages to do it well.
Small towns have lots of secrets and Marshall is no exception. These secrets and those that hold them are revealed as the book picks up momentum to a satisfying conclusion.
duczii's review against another edition
4.0
Great audiobook... both the writing and the narration. FInally, a good book:)
allisonhensler's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think I would have picked this book up if it hadn't been apart of my book club list. I thought it was well done. An interesting story of power, fear and a church. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
hedread's review against another edition
4.0
A story told by three main characters - 9 year old Jess, Adelaide the town healer, and sheriff Clem. What power does religion have over people? "People out in these parts can take hold of religion like it's a drug and they don't want to give it up once they've got hold of it. It's like it feeds them, and when they're on it they're likely to do anything these little backwoods churches tell them to do." The story grabbed me and wouldn't let go until the end, and it's one that will stay with me for some time.
kendralu's review against another edition
3.0
My favorite thing about this book was the quote from where the title was derived. The writing is beautiful but I just didn't care for the story. I kept wondering if the mother, who was the center of the entire novel, was intentionally underdeveloped, or if she really was as weak as she seemed.
kategci's review against another edition
4.0
I had this book on my shelf for too many years and pitched it to one of my book groups. It provides many jumping off points and I think we'll have a lively discussion next week. Religion, snakes, self-proclaimed ministers, alcoholism and loss are just some of the themes Wiley Cash packed into his debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the writing and story kept me turning the pages. Told from multiple points of view, I found the simultaneous accounts of a tragedy a compelling read.
kent231's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful story about human nature, and the ability to heal. This is what I call a "flypaper book"- once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down until I finished.