The Thicket

By: Joe R. Lansdale

Narrated by: Will Collyer

Love and vengeance at the dark dawn of the East Texas oil boom from Joe Lansdale, "a true American original" (Joe Hill, author of Heart-Shaped Box).

Jack Parker thought he'd already seen his fair share of tragedy. His grandmother was killed in a farm accident when he was barely five years old. His parents have just succumbed to the smallpox epidemic sweeping turn-of-the-century East Texas -- orphaning him and his younger sister, Lula.

Then catastrophe strikes on the way to their uncle's farm, when a traveling group of bank-robbing bandits murder Jack's grandfather and kidnap his sister. With no elders left for miles, Jack must grow up fast and enlist a band of heroes the likes of which has never been seen if his sister stands any chance at survival. But the best he can come up with is a charismatic, bounty-hunting dwarf named Shorty, a grave-digging son of an ex-slave named Eustace, and a street-smart woman-for-hire named Jimmie Sue who's come into some very intimate knowledge about the bandits (and a few members of Jack's extended family to boot).

In the throes of being civilized, East Texas is still a wild, feral place. Oil wells spurt liquid money from the ground. But as Jack's about to find out, blood and redemption rule supreme.

In The Thicket, award-winning novelist Joe R. Lansdale lets loose like never before, in a rip-roaring adventure equal parts True Grit and Stand by Me - - the perfect introduction to an acclaimed writer whose work has been called "as funny and frightening as anything that could have been dreamed up by the Brothers Grimm -- or Mark Twain" (New York Times Book Review).

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR EDGE OF DARK WATER:

"A cast of unforgettable characters....a terrific read. From its pages waft memories of Huckleberry Finn, To Kill A Mockingbird, and even As I Lay Dying with its journey to lay a soul to rest. When I reached the final page, something happened that I can't remember ever happening with a book I've read for a review. I wanted to read it again."—Boston Globe

"Reading Joe Lansdale is like listening to a favorite uncle who just happens to be a fabulous storyteller. This book deals with dark and strange material, but it is hugely appealing as narrated in the first person by young Sue Ellen, who shines."—Dean Koontz

"An ambitious, quietly grieving portrait of racism in Texas in the 1930s."—New York Times

"A coming of age story peopled with original and fascinating blood-and-bones characters. A chillingly atmospheric tale of good and evil and adolescent angst. EDGE OF DARK WATERhas all the potential of becoming a classic, read by generations to come."—New York Journal of Books

"Entertaining, eerie and soaked with the East Texas period atmosphere Lansdale owns like no other writer....Along the river chase, readers will pick up on nods to homer, Dickey, Twain and others, but the brooding East Texas atmosphere is all Lansdale....Joe R. Lansdale could fall into the Sabine River at its filthiest point and still come up dripping nothing but storytelling mojo."

—The Dallas Morning News

A definite wow!

A solid yes finding this book that both my husband and I could enjoy together! Perhaps a bit unrealistic at times and without giving anything away quite a rollercoaster ride of events. We really enjoyed the narrator as well as the writing style. A new author for me.

my first Lansdale book and I'm hooked!

I'm sad to say I've never read a Lansdale book until now, and I'm hooked! his characters are so real, and their voices are perfect! the performance of the narrator was great for all the broad diversity in this cast, and I was never confused or lost at who was speaking. this was amazing!

now, it's also very graphic, both in content and language. it's a period piece, and it pulls no punches. many people who are squeamish with gore and social controversy may not appreciate the story. but if you want something true to both the period, and the characters, this is an amazing story.

One of Lansdale's Best

I am a big fan of author Joe Lansdale and this ranks among his very best. If I had to describe the book, I would categorize it as a multi-layered coming of age story. There is something for everyone in this story. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary with stellar dialogue and great characters, be sure to give this a try.

damn good.

almost as good as the bottoms. highly recommended and why are these asssholes forcing me to use 15 words in my review?

What a Ride

Firstly, this is a book many may not enjoy. It's violent and in some instances gory. It has very tough things described. That said, the book was also funny in so many ways it made me laugh out loud. Great storytelling.

The plot, at first glance seems outlandish but it works. This may be how the author rolls. I have only read two of his books now.

The narration is superb. He catches the innocence of young Jack and the bitterness of Shorty perfectly. The other characters are just as believable.

I did not expect the ending and honesty, I hated that the book ended. This is a story that I will go back to again.

INCREDIBLE!!

This is SUCH a good book! I found it because of the fact that they’re in the middle of making it into a movie with a great cast. The story sounded good, so I decided to read it first. Boy am I glad I did! I could not stop listening, and finished it in a day. It’s extremely well written, with a fantastic narrator. The whole story takes you on a wild adventure, with so many funny parts, and a good cry at the end. I just can’t say enough about how much I love this book, and I can’t wait to see how the movie turns out. Definitely don’t pass this one up if you’re looking for a good listen/story.

A must read

I absolutely loved this book. The narrator was excellent and brought the characters to life. You will find yourself riding along on this wonderful epic story of the old West in its closing days and the modern area coming into view. I could not put it down and was sad when it ended . Even though books are always so much better than the movies ( exception for Lonesome Dove) I think this book would with the right actors would make a great movie.
Highly recommend this book

Great reading, wonderful story

One of Lansdale’s best. Great narrator as well. Can’t wait to see the film based on the book. Lansdale knows how to turn a phrase and pull the heartstrings. Highly recommend this book.

Gritty and intriguing, and pretty hilarious.

This story surprised me quite a bit, as I did not expect to like it as much as I have. The narrator displays his skill in characters and I did enjoy his performance throughout every moment of this book. The narrative was gritty and dark but at moments (quite a few actually) had me bent over laughing. Please for your consideration I highly recommend this book.

A Good Little Western Coming-of-Age Story

I started to give this 4 stars, but it's so entertained me, I'll say 4.5 and round up to 5.

A little far-fetched, Jack and Lula, 2 red-headed teens, and their Grandpa must take a ferry across the river, after just starting off on a trip from East Texas to live with Auntie Em in Kansas after mom and dad die from the pox. They get into an altercation with some super bad hombres who just robbed a bank. The lead hombre, CutThroat, kills grandpa just before a waterspout overturns the ferry and Jack lands on the opposite side of the river from sis Lula who is captured and taken off by the hombres.

Jack seeks the sheriff, who, it turns out, was killed by the hombres. He runs into Eustace (part white, Indian and black) who puts him in touch with Shorty, a bada$$ midget, both of whom have done bounty hunting in the past and agree to help Jack rescue Lula. Before leaving town, they hear that Fatty, one of the outlaws, may be at the local brothel. In doing some detective work on his own, Jack meets Jimmie Sue, a brothel resident about his age, and she turns him onto a little more than the whereabouts of Fatty. She decides she wants to leave "the life" and go with Jack, Shorty and Eustace on the rescue mission.

Like I said, a little out there with the characters, but a fun story of love, learning and killing bad guys on the way to saving Lula.

The narrator did a great job with the different voices for the various odd assortment of characters.