Every
once in a while a book comes along that takes you with it; that absorbs you.
Everything about Silas House’s novel, Southernmost,
was that book for me. The last time I was that entranced by a book was when I
read Cutting for Stone by Abraham
Verghese. It’s hard to define what makes a novel special for each individual.
Sometimes it is the story, but often for me what immediately grabs me is the
writing. Not only is this story fully original but House is a master craftsman.
Asher
Sharp is a fundamentalist preacher in Appalachia. He has been sure of his
beliefs all his life; even to the point of rejecting his gay brother at the
insistence of his mother. During a catastrophic flood which destroys many homes
and takes many lives in his town, he experiences an epiphany. It is this
realization and its aftermath that completely alters his life and that of his
son.
Because
of this heart-change, he feels forced to make a decision that will transform the
world he knows. As a result, he meets people and sees places that enrich him in
ways he could not have foreseen.
If
someone described this book to me to me, I’m not sure I would have been
interested. Fortunately, it was once again a book club pick.
Don’t
miss it.
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