a land more kind than home by Wiley Cash

Can't quite remember the source of the suggestion to reserve this from the library. MRB's friend behind the Temporary Knucksline? I've been on the wait list for what seems like months. I'll summarize in 3 words: worth the wait.

A healing service is being held at the French Broad River Road Church of Christ in Signs Following outside of Mars Hill in western North Carolina in rural Marshall. Carson Chambliss, the church's charismatic and tainted preacher feels the Lord's presence as he tries to heal the 80+ year old Molly Jameson by placing a copperhead in her hands. Predictably, it bites and it takes a few deacons to extract the beast. Molly goes home to perish alone in her tomato garden.


The story is told from the viewpoint of Addie Lyle (midwife and the town's consciousness), Jess Hall, and the middle-aged sheriff Clem Barefield. Jess Hall is a very curious 9yo boy who is the de facto watchdog over his older brother, nicknamed Stump, who has developmental issues; he's never spoken in all his 11 years. Jess has a habit of listening in on adults when he shouldn't. And it's this habit that triggers a series of events that impacts a few generations within the Hall and Barefield families.  He peeks in on a healing service for Stump.


I can't go too far into this plot as too many spoilers would be revealed.  While the snakes are the focal point of the book's violence, the real predatory snake in this tale is Pastor Chambliss who manages to get his rural parishioners to succumb to his teachings on God's healing touch and strength of faith as evidenced by handling poisonous snakes. 


Cash is from western NC and teaches at Bethany College in WV. This is his first book and in it he captures the sublime rhythm and lingo of the place. Some have called this a thriller, but most thrillers I've read usually wind up with a fairly predictable conclusion. This disturbing book wraps up with families torn apart and the remnants left in the hands of those least capable of carrying on. Good story, terrific writing, disturbing book. Helluva debut. 


East Coast Don