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A Land More Kind Than Home
Escrito por Wiley Cash
Narrado por Nick Sullivan, Lorna Raver y Mark Bramhall
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“Bold, daring, graceful, and engrossing.”
—Bobbie Ann Mason
“This book will knock your socks off….A first novel that sings with talent.”
—Clyde Edgerton
In his phenomenal debut novel—a mesmerizing literary thriller about the bond between two brothers and the evil they face in a small North Carolina town—author Wiley Cash displays a remarkable talent for lyrical, powerfully emotional storytelling. A Land More Kind than Home is a modern masterwork of Southern fiction, reminiscent of the writings of John Hart (Down River), Tom Franklin (Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter), Ron Rash (Serena), and Pete Dexter (Paris Trout)—one that is likely to be held in the same enduring esteem as such American classics as To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, and A Separate Peace. A brilliant evocation of a place, a heart-rending family story, a gripping and suspenseful mystery—with A Land More Kind than Home, a major American novelist enthusiastically announces his arrival.
Acciones del libro
Comenzar a escucharInformación sobre el libro
A Land More Kind Than Home
Escrito por Wiley Cash
Narrado por Nick Sullivan, Lorna Raver y Mark Bramhall
Descripción
“Bold, daring, graceful, and engrossing.”
—Bobbie Ann Mason
“This book will knock your socks off….A first novel that sings with talent.”
—Clyde Edgerton
In his phenomenal debut novel—a mesmerizing literary thriller about the bond between two brothers and the evil they face in a small North Carolina town—author Wiley Cash displays a remarkable talent for lyrical, powerfully emotional storytelling. A Land More Kind than Home is a modern masterwork of Southern fiction, reminiscent of the writings of John Hart (Down River), Tom Franklin (Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter), Ron Rash (Serena), and Pete Dexter (Paris Trout)—one that is likely to be held in the same enduring esteem as such American classics as To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, and A Separate Peace. A brilliant evocation of a place, a heart-rending family story, a gripping and suspenseful mystery—with A Land More Kind than Home, a major American novelist enthusiastically announces his arrival.
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The novel is a story of murder and deception in a small Appalachian town under the spell of a charismatic minister of the snake handling ilk. Rarely is Appalachia flattered in books or film, and this book is no exception. The story was engaging, if not original, the characters were well fleshed out with backstory, and the book held me until the end. This was a quick read, but definitely not for the delicate reader.
This book had a blurb saying it was like Cormac McCarthy rewrote To Kill a Mockingbird - I don’t actually agree with that, but there definitely are some Cormac McCarthy vibes here. A Southern gothic novel about blindly believing in a church that has no limits. The pastor has a rough past he’s trying to hide while pushing his “flock” to test their faith by putting their hands in rattlesnake cages. People have mysteriously died in the church, so the windows have been covered with newspaper. Very creepy story, interesting, and well-written overall, but there were a lot of flashbacks thrown in the middle of action, making it hard to keep the timeline straight.
The author chose the perfect three narrators; a sheriff, an elderly lady, and a child. It's a great narrative about southern small time life. The characters are well developed from the crazy Pastor Chambliss to the brothers Stump and Jess. The novel is well written, but I found the ending too contrived.
Author Wiley Cash lets his debut work, "A Land More Kind Than Home", be told through three distinctly different voices: a young boy, an elderly lady, and a salt-and-pepper sheriff. This dark and disturbing blend of religion, superstition, and manipulation reveals painful human vulnerabilities. Even the most devout believers may have chinks in their armor. The elements of truth in this work of fiction are unsettling, and just as nature has its way in the wild, the weak are culled from the herd. The predator here is a preacher, but is he a man of God, or is he the Devil incarnate? The characters are well-drawn, and the story line is as old as mankind itself. My favorite "voice" was the sheriff, a seasoned lawman with keen Southern sensibilities. The contrasts in the ages and life situations of the three narrators add just the right balance. "Snake handling" and "speaking in tongues" is still a religious practice in parts of the United States. I live in a small town in the VA mountains, and I have heard of churches which partake of these rituals, but they are not located in my home area. "A Land More Kind Than Home" is set in rural North Carolina, and it has a true feel for the land and the people. Wiley Cash is an author to watch, and I hope he continues to tell his tales with a Southern accent.Book Copy Gratis Amazon Vine
This is a southern saga of a small North Carolina town where a minister has brought healing to a church. The church's windows have been covered in newspaper, which immediately foreshadows dark secrets within. With the healing minister comes evil and A Land More Kind Than Home is the account of how that evil effects one family in particular.
The narrative is told in four voices: A ten year old boy (Jess), his father, the sheriff and an old wise woman who was the first to recognize the evil. The centerpiece of the novel is a twelve year old mute boy, Jess's older brother, nick-named "Stump". Despite the efforts of Jess and the old lady to protect Stump and the love of his father and mother, things go awry for the boy and all the characters have to deal with it.
This is an amazing book. If it is a debut book from this author then hats off to him. The writing style, the story, the premise, the ending, the character development, all was phenomenal.
The narrative is told in four voices: A ten year old boy (Jess), his father, the sheriff and an old wise woman who was the first to recognize the evil. The centerpiece of the novel is a twelve year old mute boy, Jess's older brother, nick-named "Stump". Despite the efforts of Jess and the old lady to protect Stump and the love of his father and mother, things go awry for the boy and all the characters have to deal with it.
This is an amazing book. If it is a debut book from this author then hats off to him. The writing style, the story, the premise, the ending, the character development, all was phenomenal.
Good story about good and evil with POV's from a child, a sheriff, and an elderly woman. Distinctly regional and best read in autumn. Really looking forward to reading his next novel 'This Dark Road to Mercy'.
This was an engrossing quick read. I enjoyed the drama, the characters and the southern setting. I heard Wiley Cash speak at our library and he gave probably the best author talks I have heard. Cash explained his background his education and what is involved in getting a book published.
A moving book about all the different ways people try to find redemption. The land and the weather are as important (and as well portrayed) as the characters. The various voices that tell the story are distinctive. Each story is compelling in its own right.
Easy to follow. Interesting plots and characters looking forward to more by this author
I read this for a book club. It was well written but it was a story to tragic for me to enjoy. And I HATE snakes and there were far too many for me in this book. I need a hero, and this sadly lacks anyone I would call a hero.
Inspired by a news story about faith healing gone awry, there is a decent short story in here, but the author bloats it up to novel length with unnecessary characters and scenes. I feel like I could rip one or two hundred pages out of the middle and still have enjoyed the book just as much as I did. Most of the sheriff's scenes seemed unneeded, as were the scenes with Adelaide past the first chapter. And the villain of the book was just a one-dimensional stock figure who literally lurked in shadows throughout the book. He reminded me of Boyd Crowder so much that I couldn't get the TV show Justified out of my head while reading, thinking this might have made a decent three-episode arc.Regardless, I liked the atmosphere of the book, even if it went on too long, the ending was simplistic, and the swerve to make it about fathers and sons was late and unwelcome. Really, I liked it, despite how much I keep criticizing it.
Powerful gothic Appalachian tale, told with urgency and menace, covering three short days of tragedy. An impressive debut novel.
This audiobook was fantastic. It was done by several readers, depicting the characters of Adelaide Lyle-a kindly woman who first discovers that the local church may not be what it seems and eventually removes the town's children from attending. She is the moral compass of the town, kindly and knowing, frustrated by her inability to set things right or to stop her townfolk from walking right into trouble.Ben Hall- Father of Stump (Christopher) and Jess Hall, two young boys who unwittingly become caught up in something they should not have seen involving their mother, Julie Hall and the Pastor of the local church,Carson Chambliss.Clem Barefield-Sheriff of Marshal, a small western North Carolina town. Turns out the sheriff has history with Ben Hall's father James.Jess Hall-An unusually perceptive boy at his young age, he sees a great deal but doesn't always understand why the adults in his life behave the way they do.I enjoyed this as an audiobook. The readers were exceptional and their voices perfect fits for their roles. I believe reading this debut novel would be just as enjoyable. Cash's writing is spare, clear and economical, but as such, it simply explodes with suspense and foreboding. He reminds me of Faulkner, and Cormac McCarthy. I love the artistry required to use such controlled language to move the story along. He leaves the reader to grapple with the emotion as he reports the step by step, move by move action, painting a picture the reader must peek behind to see the real action. His characters are true to form, through and through. He doesn't miss a beat.I highly recommend this book. I think there will be more to come from Wiley Cash. Don't miss it
This is dark southern fiction at it's best. Realistic dialogue. Well developed characters. Excellent writing. One of my favorites.
Told in alternating chapters from three different viewpoints, A Land More Kind Than Home is a strong mystery, a lyrical evocation of place, and a heartbreaking family story.An elderly woman named Adelaide Lyle introduces us to the little flyspeck of a town about an hour north of Asheville, North Carolina, and its church with the papered-up windows. Why doesn't Pastor Carson Chambliss want anyone to see inside the old storefront that houses his church? And why did such a deeply religious woman as Adelaide Lyle stop attending?We next hear from Jess Hall, a little boy fervently attached to his older brother, and finally the local sheriff, Clem Barefield, shares what he knows. The focus of this book starts out soft and misty, but as we learn the story from these three people with their vastly different ages and life experiences, that focus sharpens dramatically-- and a feeling of dread begins to grow. One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the fact that the story wasn't all spelled out for me. An old woman who doesn't get out much isn't going to see everything that goes on. A little boy may see many things that he can't understand or put words to. And a sheriff may have suspicions but no cold, hard facts to back them up. I had to piece everything together from these three narratives, and Cash's writing style made the work a pleasure. But for some strange reason, I couldn't come completely under the spell of his story or of his characters. I'm at a loss to explain it. The closest I can come is to say that I felt as though I'd read this story before. The particulars may be different, but the basic story is very familiar. Will this keep me from reading more of Wiley Cash's work? Absolutely not! And if you're in the mood for a mystery that's strong on setting, suspense, and characterization, I urge you to read A Land More Kind Than Home.
Book club selection. An Appalachian church preacher kills a disabled boy during one of his services. He told the members help him "heal" the boy, but, from some of the back story provided by other characters, we know he really wants to get rid of a witness to his adultery with the boys mother. Kind of boring, especially sections by Jess Hall, a 9 yr old boy, which had a lot of reporting what he sensed at each moment. I would not read any more of this author. When the sheriff presented the post mortem result of "petechiae", I lost all respect for the author. Petechiae are pinpoint blood spots, yet the author refers to "eyes swimming in blood."
This story begins with two brothers seeing things through windows that they should not, and one of them, a mute, then mysteriously dies during a service at a snake-handling church. It's described on the cover as Cormac McCarthy rewriting Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, but honestly, the only thing Wiley Cash has in common with those two other authors is that he's from the South. He doesn't have Lee's depth of insight nor McCarthy's breadth of worldview. In fact, this novel is barely a short story, stretched out with too much back story. It's told from the points of view of three characters who are all peripheral to the main events, a frustrating choice because they aren't close enough to the central plot to give readers a real sense of what's happening and they keep interrupting the main flow to reminisce, which I found confusing in keeping current events straight (the main story also takes place in the past, by the way). The most interesting character is Carson Chambliss, pastor of the aforementioned church, a truly threatening guy who was the only person keeping me reading but barely appeared on page, certainly not enough to get to know him, to really feel his menace, or to understand the hold he had over the boys' mother, Julie. Another troublesome character, Julie seems to do only what the plot requires of her, often at odds with her character as established, and has no real personality of her own. Yet if it weren't for Julie's and Chambliss's relationship, none of the other events would have followed--it seems crucial that we understand them, yet we are kept tantalizingly distant. Cash is a promising writer, and this book has been incredibly lauded, which probably explains my disappointment with it. But this story never gets a chance to take root and thus can't favorably be compared to the greats of Southern literature.
Wow! This is a rather short but powerful book. I started listening to this via audio -- which was wonderful! -- but available listening time was too limited; I quickly downloaded the e-book so I could sit and read at times when it wouldn't be appropriate to shut out my family with headphones! I put all my other reading on hold because I needed to see how this one would turn out.This story takes place in the mountains of North Carolina, and is told via three different narrators. At the time of the tragedy, Jess was a 9-year-old boy; Adelaide was an older woman who had delivered most of the children in the community, serving as a midwife; Clem was the sheriff. Other significant characters are the pastor Chambliss, and Jess's family: his brother "Stump" (Christopher), his parents, and his paternal grandfather -- who happens to come into the family's life after a long absence just as tragedy strikes. I don't want to spoil the plot. Suffice it to say, from the very first chapter, you know that there will be a child killed, and that a church -- and in particular, its pastor -- will be involved. And we quickly sense that the pastor, Chambliss, is not a very nice man.Cash tells the tale in his own way, via the three narrators and their memories of what happened. The story oftem drifts into the memories of even earlier times, which let us get to know the characters and their back stories. Occasionally these trips down memory lane would momentarily make me almost lose my bearings in the narrative; but the details recalled greatly contribute to the overall arc of the story. Then character development and the sense of place in this novel are marvelous. I really felt the book took me into its world.Bad things happen in the little church in the story but, in the end, this is not an anti-church kind of book; it's really not particularly about church at all. Rather, it's about people in general: good and bad people, ordinary and extraordinary people, and how sometimes it's hard to tell them apart; indeed, the same person may be all of the above in the same lifetime. It's about how people with their own agendas can lead well-meaning people in dangerous directions. And it's about relationships: loyalties and infidelities, lies and secrets, and the nature of community and family.
Loved it! I was drawn into the story right away. Not a happy one, to be sure, but compelling and beautifully written.
Cash writes his first novel well, but leaves a few loose strands in the story. I enjoyed the different voices relaying the story and seeing the different perspectives of each individual. What amazes me is the sheepish quality of people, who are easily swayed by a powerful speaker. I felt that the book had so many disappointments for many of the characters. Stump is a tragic figure who possesses a doomed existence. I felt Stump's fall the most poignant.
A small town in North Carolina, a very fundamentalist church, the death of a young boy. combine to make this a compulsive read once started. Told mainly in three voices, an older woman, the brother of the dead boy, and the local sheriff. While reading, I wondered how people could believe in the things the characters did and could not come up with any answers. And I know it to be true in light of a recent news article regarding the death of a southern preacher who used poisonous snakes in his service. This book was sad and dark, yet a few glimmers of hope shone through. I read it for a book club and a challenge and I'm glad I did.
Someone around here warbled about Wiley Cash. I checked the library, and there was a copy of his first novel, so I read it. This is the kind of stuff I inhale and stay up late to finish even though I have to get up early and be somewhere in the morning. Pitch-perfect story-telling about people living outside the circle of incessant "news", the internet, and celebrity gossip, some of whom might not even have a telephone, and who wouldn't use it to call the Sheriff if they did. People who could maybe use a little of that manufactured escapism to help them cope with the reverses and disappointments that drive some of them to drink...to violence...to pathological religion (there's snake-handling). It won't appeal to everyone, because it is a hard beauty to appreciate, and the glimmer of redemption and hope it offers is faint. But I'm keeping my eye on Wiley Cash. Nearly five stars.Review written in September 2014
The fictional debut novel, A Land More Kind than Home by Wiley Cash, depicts the grievous tragedies that flooded the parishioners of The River Road Church of Christ in the 1980s. Carlson Chambliss, a self-proclaimed prophet, showed up in Marshall, North Carolina carrying a crate of snakes and proclaiming that the healing power of Almighty God was in his hands. He used his charisma to mesmerize and convince the townspeople that by following him, they would be following God.The message that Pastor Chambliss preached over and over was that if a person was pure enough and had faith, nothing could hurt them, not even a poisonous snake bite. Carlson Chambliss would test members of his flock who became disagreeable by trapping their hands in a crate full of angry rattlesnakes. He would then wait to see if the good Lord was going to call them home or save them before he stopped the beating of the drums.After witnessing a parishioner die from failing Paster Chambliss’ test of faith, Adelaide Lyle (a spinster and the town’s midwife) decided to start up a Sunday school program of her own. She needed to gather and keep her children safe, and out of the evil clutches of the devil incarnate, Pastor Chambliss.Nine-year-old Jess Hall and his mute brother Christian loved to spy on their mother. And although they knew it was wrong to do so, they just couldn’t pass up two golden opportunities. One was when their mother was attending a sacred healing service, and the other was when she was doing some grownup stuff in her bedroom with someone other than their daddy. They would pay dearly for both of these spying expeditions.People were dying in Pastor Chambliss’ healing services, and Sheriff Clem Barefield was determined to get to the bottom of it. He couldn’t understand why people were so close-mouthed about the mysterious pastor. And, why would they ever want to attend a church run by a pastor who covers the church windows with newspapers? It was time for the snake-wielding preacher to give up some answers.I found the storyline in this book fascinating. I also loved the way Wiley Cash was able to transport me to the back hills of North Carolina by capturing the townsfolk’s dialect and culture. The story was told from the point of view of Adelaide Lyle, Jess Hall, and Clem Barefield. I think, however, I would have understood and felt more for the parishioners if Wiley Cash would have also included a point of view from a parishioner, such as Julie Hall. It was difficult for me to read and understand how a mother could become so enthralled with a pastor’s teachings that she would jeopardize the safety of her own children.I found reading A Land More Kind than Home well worth my time. It was interesting and carried an important message of forgiveness. I did, however, find the pacing of the book a bit slow in some parts, but all in all I enjoyed it. I would recommend giving the book a read.~4 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover
This book tells the story of the Hall family. Growing up north of Asheville, North Carolina in the Appalachian mountains, Jess loves his father, a tobacco farmer, his mother and his older brother, nicknamed Stump, who doesn't talk, but who is his constant companion. His mother is involved in the local Church of God with Signs Following, a small, secretive pentecostal congregation led by a charismatic pastor. In this rural community, everyone knows everyone else and what their parents did. And then one event precipitates another and things go badly wrong.This is a book whose sum is greater than its parts. Yes, there's fantastic atmosphere and a solid sense of place. And the characters are complex and even the secondary ones are fully fleshed out. The plot is well put together and moves with a sort of inevitable speed toward the conclusion, but this book just works. There are a few false notes. Cash missed a step by not fully exploring the beliefs of the church, which are more complex than he set forth, but as a whole, this was a fantastic book that fully deserves its reputation.
I believe this was the first book by this author and while his quality of writing is excellent, and the storyline was interesting, the way the story is told and the pacing of the story, lessened my enjoyment of the book.The story is told from three different character's perspectives; one 9 year old boy, one old woman, and one older man who is the sheriff. I am not a fan of books that tell the story from various viewpoints because it is very hard to do so convincingly and two it can cause pacing issues with the story. it. Is also very hard to write as something you are not especially if what is being written is fiction. I did not like the way the story was told from the perspective of Adelaide the old woman nor Jess the nine year old boy. Neither were natural, and therefore slowed down the book. The author is a fine writer, I just hope is next book doesn't try to be to "creative" but instead focuses more on the story.
Loved this book, especially because it was set in Western North Carolina - a place where my grandparents lived. The location resonated with me and fit this story perfectly. Stump, a child that is mute, lives with his very religious mother and quiet, brooding father. Stump's mom takes him to a "holy roller" church where they handle snakes, drink poison and play with fire - all in the name of the Lord. When tragedy strikes the church, many secrets are uncovered. A great story from a new writer. Loved it!
Jess and his brother Christopher (nicknamed Stump) live in a rural North Carolina town dominated by a fundamentalist pastor with a shady past. Early on, Jess and Stump see something they shouldn't, with swift and disastrous consequences. The rest of the story is told through three narrative voices: Jess, the town sheriff, and an elderly Sunday school teacher. And instead of telling the reader what happens after the terrible event, Wiley Cash takes the reader back in time and leads them step by step toward and through the conflict. Adelaide Lyle, the Sunday school teacher, is a keen observer of the intricate relationships between townspeople. She despises the pastor, and years ago moved the Sunday school from the church to her home to keep teaching the children that she loves. Clem Barefield, the sheriff, has lived through tragedy and loss, and yet still manages to perform his duties and cannot rest until he gets to the bottom of a case. Nine-year-old Jess is an innocent, understanding little about what is happening around him, and left in the dark by his parents. I felt terribly sad for Jess, whose life would be forever changed simply as a result of being a normal boy playing behind his house. And I felt anger at the pastor, who held the town in a grip of fear, and abused his power for personal gain. This is a very unsettling novel, but one that grabs you almost from the first page and will not let go.
Pastor Carson Chambliss played a pivotal role in A Land More Kiind Than Home. He was also the only character that I disliked in every possible way. Wiley Cash writes the most beautiful characters! I have to think that he is acquainted with some of the most down to earth and impoverished and sadly naive people in the country, how else could he write such extraodinary characters?For too many reasons to name, books that take place in an Appalacian setting tend to remind me of my grandparents and particularly my paternal great grandparents. So much of the folklore, and music rings true to my memories of those long ago days when I sat at the table as a child and listened to the grown ups talk about their old days.Christopher listened, he listened to his brother, the grown ups and to the rhythms and melodies of the earth and the sky. He was one of the special ones, the ones born old. He never spoke, and was deeply attached to his brother Jess. Many called him by the cruel nickname of Stump, but it didn't matter to him. He knew who he was, and that was a being too filled with kindness and love to allow a simple name to matter. Jess was also completely devoted to his brother. It was as if they were attached at the hip, and they had a deep understanding of and commitment to each other. Sadly, both or either of them were wiser than their mother. She was a woman broken by the world and reaching for whatever hope promised to her, no matter who made the offer. Their father, too was just a man trying to make his way, A man who had suffered too much, too soon and whose family mattered to him, but perhaps more as proof that he was different from his father than as actual people needing his guidance and care. But Adelaide Lyle, she was one of the wise ones. She was more fortunate than most, she had lived long and learned much. It was her hands that helped to birth many of those she knew. Generations had been born into her competent hands, as she played the role of wise woman, country doctor and midwife. She also played the roles of teacher and mother, although she had no children of her own. She was the one who tried to save them. She tried to save them all. This story will break your heart, and you will remember the characters long after the last page has been read. Wiley Cash has the gift of storytelling. Don't miss A Land More Kind Than Home.
Great book. When finished I flipped to the front and began reading a second time. Very powerful story.
This is a Character driven novel set in rural upstate North Carolina where it is difficult to leave the past behind. The novel is told by four characters perspectives which leads to deeper understanding of the motivations of the characters and interesting to see others points of views on the same event. What I enjoyed most about the book is seeing how the past kept bubbling up like from a brook no matter how much the characters tried to suppress them, but it is this deep history that ultimately makes it possible for the characters to forgive and move on.