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| Name : | Heather M. |
My Reviews
Told in three voices, this debut novel by Wiley Cash takes readers on a haunting ride. An accident many years ago has resulted in a deep hatred and resentment between Clem Barefield, the town sheriff, and Jimmy Hall, the former town drunk. Years later, Chambliss, the preacher, has his congregation doing his bidding as only a self-proclaimed prophet can. With newspapers covering the window and no children entering, surely the evil happening in the church must soon be revealed. Indeed, an attempt to "heal" a mute child results in tragedy. Unfortunately it takes such a tragedy to heal the relationship between Clem and Jimmy and bring the people of the church back to true faith and worship.
The era of reality TV has made me a little too cynical. As I read I found myself arguing with Devin - you can't really remember your first day at daycare that clearly. You weren't really thinking those thoughts in elementary school.
But then I found myself talking about this book to anyone and everyone. One friend made me realize that memories can be vivid at a very young age when they have great impact - like feeling truly loved for the first time. Another conversation made me realize that my harshness towards this memoir was completely contrary to my praise for A Million Little Pieces. A memoir can be so much more than a biography with the assistance of hindsight providing the insight to earlier memories. And one more conversation made me realize how my students today have no concept of a world where bi-racial marriage could have been illegal.
So I didn't love this book as I was reading, but it has had the impact every great book should - it has made me think and question the world we live in
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