"Calling" is hard to review because it is the kind of book that will resonate deeply with many readers while not moving others at all. I am more in the second category but that does not mean that I cannot appreciate what Mr. Starnes has achieved.

Two men on a long bus ride, talking and sipping, mile after mile. You can hear the bus tires in the rhythm of their speech. You can also hear the sound of their shared southern past with its pains and joys. "Calling" is reminiscent of Faulkner,

I can't help but think, though, that the story would be far more powerful and acclaimed if it had been shortened and published as a novella in one of the high ranking literary outlets, although perhaps its previous publication made that difficult.

I received a review copy of "Calling" by Joe Samuel Starnes (Open Road Integrated Media) through NetGalley.com. It was first published in 2005 by Jefferson Press. ( )

The story starts on a bus trip.


A crazy preacher forces a DJ to hear his story because the Lord told him to preach it to him. Timber the DJ doesn't necessarily want to hear it but there is no stopping him. Over several states they share their lives and a bottle of Jim Beam.

Zeke was a preacher's son. A preacher who just couldn't keep his pants zipped up. We follow his life story of his rise from small town boy to Bible college and then he settles down and preaches in a small town church for years. Robbing banks on the side...after meeting a con in prison that gave him tips on how to pull off the perfect crimes.


Timber's dad was the local radio star. He managed the radio station and also had some problem with the old pecker needing to jump out pretty often. He went from small town to bigger stations in Dallas and across the south. His downfall was he couldn't behave himself on the air and liked to piss off advertisers.


Both main characters stories are told very well. The book is very wordy or I would have rated it higher. The author does write very well and at about 60% I couldn't put the book down. I wanted to know what was in Zeke's suitcase (yep-not good)

One question I have though is why does every crazy ass preacher have to be from North Georgia? We are only about half crazy thank you very much.


I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )