2006 ( )

I ordered "Gods in Alabama" by Joshylin Jackson after receiving a free copy of her book "The Girl Who Stopped Swimming." Her writing isn't my typical genre of reading, but I also enjoy drama, and her writing style entertains me! So I'm branching out.

The book opens with, "There are Gods in Alabama: Jack Daniel's, high school quarterbacks, trucks, big tits, and also Jesus." This line launches us into a book that explores many topics, including how we idolize many different things in our lives. Arlene Fleet grew up in Alabama, so she knows all about the things worshiped down there, and she's vowed to never go back.

Just why she's made this vow (along with promising to never lie or fornicate) is a story that is fascinating. Jackson uses flash backs and the story slowly unravels over time as Arlene is forced to break her promise, and go back to Alabama. She doesn't go alone though, no, she brings along her black fiance, something that stirs up even more trouble in her crazy family!

I found the way this story unfolded to be fascinating. Jackson switches back and forth between the past and present, dropping hints and pieces along the way, and you start to piece together the whole picture. You never really understand everything until the end though, and I think that's the beauty of her writing. ( )

Loved this book. I never would have heard of Jackson if it wasn't for a friend who loaned me the book. Beautiful writing, very edgy. I can imagine life in the South being like this, although I've no experience of it except for a month in Orlando, which for some reason I feel doesn't really count (others might disagree but thats my opinion lol). Highly recommended, and I guess it is a summer read!!! ( )

I really enjoyed this book. Ive read all of Joshilyn Jacksons book and this is the one I read last. Ive got to say this one was the best because it really keeps you guessing until the end. ( )

Joshilyn Jackson was recommended to me during a brief e-mail exchange with another Bookmoocher, after we got into a "yay Southern lit!" convo.

"Gods in Alabama" involves kind of a reverse mystery, with the solution coming before the whole motivation thing. It was interesting enough to keep me reading throughout the long weekend, with characters who were likeable most of the time.

I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected to; maybe I've hit my limit of unstable characters and dead parents and need to read something 100% fluffy. But I did like it, even if I didn't LOVE it, and I'll definitely be trying something else by Jackson. ( )