Synopses & Reviews
When Arlene Fleet headed off to college in Chicago, she made three promises to God: She would never again lie, never fornicate outside marriage, and never, ever go back to her tiny hometown of Possett, Alabama. All God had to do in exchange was to make sure the body of high school quarterback Jim Beverly was never found. Ten years later, Arlene has kept her promises, but an old schoolmate has recently turned up asking questions. And now Arlene's African American beau has given her a tough ultimatum: introduce him to her family, or he's gone. As she prepares to confront guilt, discrimination, and a decade of deception, Arlene is about to discover just how far she will go to find redemption--and love.
Review
"This bright, tender, eccentric novel grabbed me on page one and never let go. I'm sure Flannery O'Connor is smiling down at Joshilyn Jackson, for writing such a fine first novel of the deep south. Her phrases are so funny, true, and unexpected a joy to read. Be prepared for a heart-wrenching ride, all the way to redemption. Gods in Alabama is crazy good." Luanne Rice, author of Beach Girls and Dance With Me
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"A likable new talent chained to a creaky old plot." Kirkus Reviews
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"[A] potent mix of humor, murder, and a dysfunctional Southern family....While written for adults, this novel reminds us again that the teenage subculture is complex and powerful and that unholy acts may be committed in the name of love. Recommended." Library Journal
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"The plot is so ambitious and full of twists, the reader may have a hard time getting a read on where the novel's headed....Readers should be aware that this is not a light Southern yarn." Dallas Morning News
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"Cleverly disguised as a leisurely paced southern novel, this debut rockets to the end, even as the plot turns back on itself, surprising characters and readers alike. Book clubs will enjoy this saucy tale, as will fans of southern fiction with a twist." Booklist
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"Gods in Alabama has everything a first (or any) novel should possess but seldom does....It's the kind of book you hate to finish but can't wait to pass on to friends." Cleveland Plain Dealer
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"The plot, masterfully constructed, has more twists and turns than a wiggle worm on the end of a small hook. The heroine is a strong, calculating presence and her frequent disputes with her overbearing aunt add friction to a family drama already fraught with tension." Orlando Sentinel