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)

Best book ever .

This book is a great book. It keeps you on toes with plot twists you don't see coming.

Always some kinda fun

I am enchanted by these interweaving characters/storylines; repeatedly amazed by Ms Jackson's attention to detail as she flips the story and still tells it true. Really good narrator as well!

Mythic power of teen experiences!

This story really addresses the power of early teen experiences and the power family and culture have on us as we are trying to grow up. Another great book from Joshilyn Jackson

gods in alabama

wow: I really liked this one, And the lady that did the read couldn't have fit the story better.
That is the one thing they makes any audio book interesting when the reader fits the story so well.Good job... The story was so good I couldn't stop, As soon as I got the chance the book was on. I just hope this isn't the last of this author that comes to audible. Hats off I loved it... Teresa from San Angelo Texas...
P.S. It kinda reminded me of the nevada barr deep south. Try her series there good too...

Suspenseful Surprise

Any additional comments?

I stumbled upon this book and really enjoyed it. The last 2 hours were so climactic, I had to finish it in one sitting. Some of the inner dialogue an communication between the Arlene and Burr was unnecessary though. Very effective narrator too, I would listen to her again.

A funny, engaging and excellent Southern story

I found this novel exceptionally good and the performance excellent. The story moves forward at a perfect pace as we enter the lives of a rural Alabama family through the narrative provided by the main character. The pace never falters as the story of this young woman's life unfolds. But best of all, the unanticipated conclusion is well executed.

Seep down your roots cannot leave you

Such a great book! Written so well and great character development and loved the accent and how the reader read book on Audible. And I personally, love a good Southern story!

True Southern Voice

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was in turns hilarious and heartbreaking with a resolution to the mystery that I did not foresee, but found believable. I loved the quirky but lovable family and recognized characters known from my own childhood. Another reviewer was concerned about the frank sexuality that was included, but I was not offended as I did not find it gratuitous. And thanks to the Gods of Alabama for the authentic southern voice of the reader. It was a sweet sound from my own youth. Highly recommended.

My FAVORITE Joshilyn Jackson so far!

Where does Gods in Alabama rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book ranks right up there with "The Help" in my eyes. I remember reading it 10 years ago and how it made me cry, and so when it was my turn to choose a "Book Club" book, I chose this one. There wasn't a single person in Book Club who didn't love it. I am now listening my way through everyone of Joshilyn Jackson's books. They're GREAT!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The heroin, of course.

Brilliant story; Top-Notch Audio Production!

Authors like Joshilyn Jackson are the reason why I love, love, love Southern fiction. Her books (typically involving crazy-ass mothers and emotionally scarred women) are gritty, powerful and downright gut-wrenching. After reading Backseat Saints, I needed to know more about Rose Mae Lolley’s backstory – and boy did this book deliver! Although Rose Mae is only a side character in this novel, I get to learn more about her psychotic high school sweetheart, and how he met his end. The story revolves around Arlene, a highly complex woman who promised God that she would never lie, have sex or return to her hometown in Alabama. But when her aunt pressures her to attend her uncle’s retirement party, she gives in and reluctantly brings her boyfriend, Burr, along for the ride. As Arlene reneges on her promises, her big, bad secret starts to creep out from under the kudzu. Woo doggie – this is one whirlwind of a ride! I’m so glad I listened to this on audio because the production is fan-freaking-tastic! The narrator fully embraced Arlene’s emotional turmoil – and the subtle music during the suspense scenes really added a nice touch. I’m not from the South, but I’m willing to bet my biscuits that the narrator’s Southern drawl is authentic.