A Land More Kind Than Home

A Land More Kind Than Home

Adult novel
These stories disturb us to the depths of our soul. Children
die needlessly in the name of religion or at least someone's
interpretation of it. There was little Angela Palmer cooked to death
in Maine in a stove awhile back because of a suspicion she was devil
possessed. Her mom and baby sister were in the apartment. I've
heard of parents withholding medical attention from children dying of
diabetes or blocked bowel as the congregation participated in laying
on of hands. They are told calling a doctor or ambulance would amount
to distrusting God. These are glimpses into a disturbing, repugnant
world we don't understandably want to see too clearly.
People like that have nothing to do with us...
...or maybe they aren't totally other. Maybe it's not always
black and white. In his riveting debut novel, A Land More Kind Than
Home, Wiley Cash gives us a sensitive glimpse into how the death of a
young boy during a secretive healing service deeply effects his family
and community. It is told in three distinct and authentic voices.
There's Jess who has to live with the loss of a sibling who,
although older chronologically, was always in need of protection. In
the end he could not protect him enough.
There's elderly Adelaide Lyle, the mid wife who brought the dead
child into the world. After she had witnessed a disturbing incident
at the church she had worked out a deal with the charismatic snake
handling minister that involved children having Sunday school safely
at her house during services. That is until that fateful Sunday.
There's Clem Barefield, sheriff for decades, who has to
investigate the death with great care due to the interwovenness of a
small community. Like Ben, the father, he knows what it's like to
lose a son far too soon.
Although she does not get to speak Julie, the mother, is always
in the background. She's a woman who
*gave birth to a son who would never speak a word
*grew apart from her husband who thought their child was fine the way
he was
*was offered underunderstanding and hope for a cure by her minister
and church.
Like a superbly woven tapestry A Land More Kind Than Home shows
us a world both alien and achingly familiar. Cash obviously is a
native of the part of the country his story is told in. He invites us
on a journey of discovery, a journey well worth taking.
Let's hope that this very evocative and skilled writer keeps
practicing his craft!
On a personal note, the Orono thrift shop had a series of buck a bag
sales days. Holy Hannah, didn't I ever shop! Got more of my
Christmas list covered.
A great big shout out goes out to those very diligent volunteers who
worked through the hecticness of the sale and set out new merchandise
for fall and winter. Way to be awesome!
Julia Emily Hathaway


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