Gods in Alabama
Ratings6
Average rating3.7
For 10 years Arlene has kept her promises, and God has kept His end of the bargain. Until now. When an old schoolmate from Possett turns up at Arlene's door in Chicago asking questions about Jim Beverly, former quarterback and god of Possett High, Arlene's break with her former hometown is forced to an end. At the same time, Burr, her long-time boyfriend, has raised an ultimatum: introduce him to her family or consider him gone. Arlene loves him dearly but knows her lily white (not to mention deeply racist)Southern Baptist family will not understand her relationship with an African American boyfriend. Reluctantly, Arlene bows to the pressure, and she and Burr embark on the long-avoided road trip back home. As Arlene digs through guilt and deception, her patched-together alibi begins to unravel, and she discovers how far she will go for love and a chance at redemption.
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This book was a little disappointing. The opening sentence is fantastic. (See my favorite quotes.) The first chapters were OK - a little uneven but definitely interesting. The middle chapters of the book, which really lay out the mystery of the main character Arlene's past and her relationship with her cousin and Aunt, are great. However, the ending was soooo predictable. Midway through the book I thought, “If this is how she ends the book, I will be disappointed.” It was, and I was. But mainly because that first sentence is so damn good, she really sets the bar high. The book is worth reading because it's a nice alternative to traditional southern women's fiction. It's not at all cutesy. Another good one along similar lines (though without the mystery element) is My Summer of Southern Discomfort by Stephanie Gayle.
