On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Comments on this board should be written with the assumption that not all readers have finished the book. Please avoid revealing any spoilers.

I started this a few days ago, about half way in.
Checking on Wiki about the truth behind our story I read:
"The conflict was between rural farmers in a remote section of Clarke County, Mitcham Beat, Coffeeville, and other towns. Around 1890, a group of young rural men formed a secret society called Hell-at-the-Breech that believed their local economy was being controlled by a small group. Some accounts characterize the conflict as resulting from the 1892 elections that left rural whites disenfranchised and angry and resulting in racial violence."
Sounds familiar.

I read this last time around, so will sit this one out but follow the discussion. It was a great book.

I love this book, 5 stars. I may not get to the reread. Depends how August pans out....wish library had audio.

Its been a bit since I read this, but the beginning seemed entirely plausible. Misunderstandings happen all the time in life, and illogical consequences - sometimes deadly ones - follow.

Yes, I realize that Franklin based the book on real incidents just a short distance from his home town, but after reading a couple of "based on true events" books recently, not everybody can grab reality and spin it into something that, well, feels real!

I won't spoil anything for first time readers in this discussion thread. Y'all might shoot! ;)

I'll be starting this over lunch today.

Finished this tonight. I could not put it down. I totally agree with LeAnne that not everyone can take a true incident and imagine it in a realistic way...boy, Franklin does that!

I started this novel tonight, and am about a fifth of the way through. The familiar themes of the distrust that rural people possess towards the city people and vice-versa, the aging sheriff attempting to solve a crime in which no one trusts him, the brutality and violence of the criminals, the distrust of law enforcement (I did not grow up in an environment where I distrusted the police, and I feel sorry for those who have; the police were always protectors, not ones to be feared), and the desperate, sad opening of Macky having to perform a sorrowful act set the story as one I find quite interesting and intriguing.

It’s hard to put it down, and I suspect that not only will more violent crimes be committed, but that the facts that the investigation reveals will surprise.

I especially like how Franklin blends the setting and the action (where the sheriff makes his way through the thicket which parallels the social thicket where he finds it difficult to extract information or cooperation).

The two characters I like the most are Sheriff Waite and Mrs. Gates. The aging Sheriff Waite, who thinks about retirement since he believe he might be getting too old, reminds me of the sheriff in McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men.

Joey wrote: "I started this novel tonight, and am about a fifth of the way through. The familiar themes of the distrust that rural people possess towards the city people and vice-versa, the aging sheriff attemp..."

Joey, the sheriff reminded me of the law man in Serena by Ron Rash and of Sam Simoneaux searching relentlessly for that little girl in The Missing.

Maybe the character that seeks to right a wrong or to bring peace and order back is supposed to be us, the readers, in a way. It doesn't matter than I'm a mom, a wife, a female, a once-young-and-pretty-girl, a geologist - whatever! You can toss those exact character types into a story, but it will always be the sheriff that I identify with....when the novel is well written.

Did the rest of you feel like you were walking in his boots?

Yes, Waite is a captivating, well-drawn character. I kept thinking of Longmire. Perhaps it was just that the mental image I had of him was a Robert Taylor sort of guy.

I also grew up respecting and trusting the law, but I can remember my great-uncle not thinking much of them. Of course, he had a still somewhere on his property, so it was federal lawmen he disliked more than local ones.

Waite reminded me of Longmire too, Sara, now that you mention it. My great, great uncle, Cat Belvin, was the sheriff of Durham County in NC back in the 30's and 40's. His nickname was Cat because he was so good at sneaking up on moonshiners without being heard.

LeAnne wrote: "Joey wrote: "I started this novel tonight, and am about a fifth of the way through. The familiar themes of the distrust that rural people possess towards the city people and vice-versa, the aging s..."

LeAnne, I do identify with Waite, but that identification is probably based on the fact that we are almost the same age, the same gender, and desire less change in our lives. However, one of the reasons he does not wish to retire is that he doesn't want to listen to his wife whereas I could listen to my wife all day.

And I understand his pride in his profession, for we live in a country whose younger people might believe that an older person has lost his or her skills and abilities.

I have not read Ron Rash, and it seems I will add another book to read. I will have to start an individual library just for Trail books that I have not read.

Diane wrote: "Waite reminded me of Longmire too, Sara, now that you mention it. My great, great uncle, Cat Belvin, was the sheriff of Durham County in NC back in the 30's and 40's. His nickname was Cat because h..."

Your ancestors and mine were on opposite sides of the law. LOL. I am reformed, however, and tend to lean toward the lawmen.

Half way through and really liking this so far. I'm enjoying (slowly) getting to know the subtle connections that the granny woman seems to have with the whole community.

If a book can be defined as southern based on the number of dead mules and/or references to mules and death then this book is about as southern as it gets.
-One character gets lynched while sitting atop a mule.
-The sheriff's father was killed when he was bucked off a mule. ---The same mule was almost shot before then when it stuck its head in the window and brayed while the household was sleeping.
-Another mule made the ultimate sacrifice when it raised its head from drinking and took a bullet intended for its rider.
Four anecdotes including mules and death seems more than coincidental.

Tom wrote: "If a book can be defined as southern based on the number of dead mules and/or references to mules and death then this book is about as southern as it gets.
-One character gets lynched while sittin..."

Tom I'm wondering why mules aren't mentioned more in country music, lol.

Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "Tom I'm wondering why mules aren't mentioned more in country music, lol. ."

Taj Mahal would be heart-broken to hear that you forgot about "She caught the Katy and left me the mule to ride".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaTtS...

Had the great pleasure of seeing Taj Mahal two weeks ago but did not sing that one :)

Love Taj but would not think to pair him with Country, but this one has that groove.

and... the lady muleskinner... dolly parton.

I'm really fascinated by the dichotomy seen in almost every character in this book. There are bad guys who at times behave honorably and good guys whose actions are more despicable than any the other side could cook up. Franklin, in my opinion went above and beyond the call of duty when it came to developing multidimensional characters.

Yes, Tom - thats why the all or nothing good/evil in his last novel was such a let down for me. He can really write.