Gods in Alabama

By: Joshilyn Jackson

Narrated by: Catherine Taber

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

When Arlene Fleet heads up north for college, she makes three promises to God: She will stop fornicating with every boy who crosses her path; never tell another lie; and never, ever go back to the "fourth rack of hell", her hometown of Possett, Alabama. All she wants from Him is one little miracle: make sure the body is never found.

Ten years later, God has broken His end of the deal. Alabama has landed on Arlene's Chicago doorstep in the form of her high school archenemy, a young woman who wants to find the golden-haired football hero who disappeared during their senior year.

To make matters worse, Arlene's African-American boyfriend, Burr, has given her an ultimatum; introduce him to her lily-white family or he's gone. Arlene would rather burn up in a fire than let him meet her steel magnolia Aunt Florence; her eccentric, half-mad Mama; her sweet-as-pecan-pie Cousin Clarice; and all the rest of her deeply racist kith and kin.

But the fickle finger of fate is pointing her south. All too soon she and Burr are on their way to confront Arlene's redneck roots, the secret she ran from, and the crime that stole her peace of mind. Back in the small town of her girlhood, Arlene's demons are closing in, and after a decade of running away, Arlene must face them all. Yet while the truth threatens to destroy the life she has built for herself, it just may open her eyes to a love powerful enough to revise her past and alter her future.

Crackling with humor, defiantly endearing characters, and plot twists that will astonish even the most jaded reader, Gods in Alabama will send you careening from tears to laughter and back. Most of all, it brings a unique, rough-around-the-edges heroine to life and makes her a permanent part of your own.

©2005 Joshilyn Jackson (P)2005 Time Warner AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"Cleverly disguised as a leisurely paced southern novel, this debut rockets to the end, even as the plot turns back on itself, surprising characters and readers alike. Book clubs will enjoy this saucy tale, as will fans of southern fiction with a twist." (Booklist)

Heartwarming and heartbreaking

Excellently performed, this story is at times so laugh out loud funny that I had to pause the audio book. Other parts of the book were rather disturbing, but seemed essential to understanding the motivations of the characters. The book ends in a way that makes you wonder if it is OK to feel satisfied with the conclusion. Whatever you decide, the flavor is thoroughly Southern, with fierce family loyalty, truly crazy neighbors, girls who can pinch your arm off, and sarcastic wit that will split your side.

Well rounded book and reading!

What did you love best about Gods in Alabama?

The story is really well written - giving the reader/ listener most of the pieces of the story but not everything so you wonder how things will end. Very well done. So many layers to this story that you didn't know what was coming next.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Gods in Alabama?

The scene in the mall when the reader finds out about the relationship between the main character and her "sister" and is given a much better understanding of why the main character acts the way she does.

Have you listened to any of Catherine Taber’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love this reading by Catherine Taber. She reads with such passion. I could listen to her all day.

If you could rename Gods in Alabama, what would you call it?

What's in my pockets?

Good story, but the music?

The background music was distracting. Typically the music was played at the end of chapters or during a pivotal moment. I felt it took away from the overall performance and enjoyment of the book.

Gods of Small Town USA

in any small town, anywhere in America, the Gods of Sports rule the school, rule the town and are untouchable. This story is about being from a small town and the story of being an outsider in the town. it could have been about me, or you or any girl from a small town....

Even Better The Second Time

I bought this audiobook several years ago on a whim, being unfamiliar with the author. I was immediately drawn in by the narrator, the characters, the intricate storyline, and the dark secrets that unraveled slowly throughout the course of the book. After listening to it again this week, I had to write this review. This book is absolutely phenomenal. True, there are some explicit sections, however, I felt that they helped to illuminate Arlene/Lena's character. The musical score was very effective in building suspense -- I became so engrossed in the story that I felt like I was watching a movie. The secondary plot of her interracial relationship pales in comparison to the main plot, which is not completely revealed to the reader until the very end. I highly recommend this book; you will not be disappointed.

Beautiful!

I really enjoyed this one. I wasn’t a big fan of the music at all, but the story was so good I could overlook it. The narrator was perfect!

Couldn't put it down!

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the characters were great! Obviously aunt Florence is the most interesting but I loved Lena's mother! She was so sad but sweet.

What does Catherine Taber bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her wonderful subtle southern drawl was very pleasing. I HATE fake accents. Hers was perfect.

Any additional comments?

I lam from the south and lived in Alabama for 8 years during the eighties. The characters and setting are right on the money. I loved the scene where Burr meets the family. So true!

Funny, poignant, thoroughly enjoyable

I love this book! Joshilyn Jackson Is a gifted writer and storyteller, and Catherine Taber’s performance is mesmerizing. The only thing I didn’t like were the snippets of amateurish music randomly inserted into the most awkward of places. Other than that, a thoroughly enjoyable read!

Thoroughly enjoyed

Compelling story line. Interesting characters. Excellent narration. I wasn't the least bit bothered by the occasional "mood" music in the background.

Best Audible I have ever ordered

The narrator was precious and the plot kept me wanting more. I will listen to this one over and over again, something I don’t usually do. Thank you Joshilyn and Catherine ❤️