BOOKS: GODS IN ALABAMA by Joshilyn Jackson

Gods in Alabama
by Joshilyn Jackson
(Warner Books, 2005)

Trade paperback now available (June, 2006), 320 pgs, $12.95

"There are gods in Alabama: Jack Daniel's, high school quarterbacks, trucks, big tits, and also Jesus. I left one back there myself, back in Possett. I kicked it under the kudzu, and left it to the roaches..."

So begins the debut novel by a talented Southern writer. And, once again, I've been surprised: I was expecting a sweet, southern story along the lines of the Wal-Mart baby movie (Where the Heart Is) or Because of Winn Dixie for an older audience. GODS IN ALABAMA is a much darker tale, more like Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones, or perhaps a modern-day, edgier Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. (Harper Lee was also a sassy southern author from Alabama.)

Joshilyn Jackson combines a charming southern voice with sometimes shocking vulgarity and brutality, tempered by wit, sass, and razor-sharp humor. She'll keep you spellbound, with skillful narrative and compelling characters.

Main character Arlene Fleet has kept a terrible secret for ten years. She's a southern girl on the run from her past, from small-town Alabama to Chicago. In a desperate deal with God, she has given up fornicating, lying, and ever going home to Possett, if God just keeps the body hidden under the kudzu where she left it. Her African-American boyfriend, Burr, is the voice of reason for Arlene, although he doesn't know her secret. Their interracial relationship is yet another reason for Arlene to stay clear of her redneck dysfunctional family in Alabama. Although it's hard to believe his dedication (in the face of the no fornicating thing), Burr accompanies Arlene back to Alabama to meet her family and help her battle her demons, which turns out to be the ultimate test of his love and their relationship.

Joshilyn Jackson has a gift for storytelling and laugh-out-loud funny characterizations, not so far from true or believable, from the people and backwoods attitudes in Possett, Alabama to Arlene and her family: her eccentric, half-mad Mama, who sends her the same Christmas card every year to bring her back to Jesus; and her steel magnolia Aunt Florence, Arlene's self-appointed conscience:

"Eventually, against all odds, Aunt Florence got to the part where she told me she would be praying to God, asking him to help me not be such a selfish little turd. Then she let me get off the phone."

GODS IN ALABAMA is one surprise after another. Joshilyn Jackson will keep you reading. Enjoy!

See Also: BETWEEN, GEORGIA - Joshilyn Jackson's new novel!