Backseat Saints
Joshilyn Jackson
June 2010
324 pages
Published by Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group)
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Purchased by moi.
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I read The Girl Who Stopped Swimming at the end of last year and was less than impressed. I had loved Gods in Alabama, but The Girl Who Stopped Swimming just didn’t have the same feel to it (not that I like books to always have the same feel, but Jackson’s books tend to be a little quirky and Swimming had a weird vibe to it). So I was anxious to read Backseat Saints in the hopes that I could recapture the good quirky vibes that Gods in Alabama had.
And yes, I realize just how weird I sound in that paragraph. Although I’m guessing that if you’ve read Jackson that made some sort of sense, because it’s hard to describe her writing. In Gods in Alabama, bad things happen, but for a good reason. Jackson’s books deal with serious shit, but they’re funny at the same time. And the characters are oddballs. Swimming just didn’t quite work that way for me.
However, Backseat Saints does. Yay! It also takes a minor character from Gods in Alabama, Rose Mae Lolley, and turns her into a main character, now known as Ro Grandee. Ro is in an abusive relationship, and a gypsy fortuneteller she ran into at the airport (seriously) has told her it’s gonna be him or her. In other words, Ro needs to off her husband before he offs her.
This book chronicles Ro’s attempt to reclaim herself, to find the Rose Mae Lolley she used to be, and to somehow reconcile Rose and Ro and even Ivy (that comes later in the story, and I promise we’re not dealing with multiple personalities) to become her own person.
Are you wondering what the hell I’m talking about? Well then, you’ll just have to read the book.
This was my first time reading Jackson and I loved the book, and I had so much fun chatting with her. The characters are definitely the odd man out, but in the best way. I did not read Gods in Alabama but I would love to if only to have the chance to see Ro as a character from someone else’s perspective.
Nicole´s last blog ..My Wife’s Affair- A Novel- by Nancy Woodruff – Book Review
Maybe I should try something else by her then. I tried reading Swimming but couldn’t make it past a few chapters.
Amanda´s last blog ..Metropolis
I liked this book a lot, but Gods in Alabama is still my favorite of Jackson’s books.
Oh, thank goodness you liked this! I was debating on whether or not to pick this up!
Natalie @ Coffee and a Book Chick´s last blog ..People of the Book- by Geraldine Brooks
As someone who’s read Jackson’s first two books that first paragraph made perfect sense! I’ve held off reading Swimming due to lots of bloggers having the same impression as you, so I’m delighted she’s back to form with Backseat Saints. I’ll have to get this one from my library now!
Loved this book, and wasn’t expecting to, which is always a treat! Great review Jill.
I was really excited about this book until someone ruined the story for me. Now I am not so sure I really want to invest the time in the book knowing how it ends. It really makes me kind of mad, because I have been hearing good things about this book and I would have loved to give it a try!
zibilee´s last blog ..Lit- A Memoir by Mary Karr — 432 pgs
I am so intrigued by this book!
Amused´s last blog ..In Case You Missed It- July
I saw this in Borders today! The cover kinda calls to you, haha. I’m glad to see a review about it. It sounds like a good, new story. I’ll definitely have to pick it up next time!
She´s last blog ..The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
I see this book everywhere! The book does sound intriguing, but I have to admit that I am just totally creeped by that cover.
Trisha´s last blog ..Book Blogger Hop
Swimming is the only book of hers that I have read, and I wasn’t all that enthused about picking up another. It seems that it might have been something of an anomaly so maybe I should give this book, and some of her earlier books a go.
Marg´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking- Pumpkin
Oh yes! So glad that Jackson is back on track. I know exactly what you mean. Now to move it up in the list.
Beth F´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking- Grilled Pizza
LOL
That’s all.
heidenkind´s last blog ..Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong
I’m not sure if I’ll read this book, but I love the cover. The image of the braid is just awesome.
So glad you reminded me about this book/the author–going to listen to the audio book for Gods In Alabama at work tomorrow.
Cass´s last blog ..July Round-Up
I have all three of her other books, but have only read gods in Alabama. Swimming hasn’t really appealed to me at all, but I really want to read this one! I think partially it’s that I like the cover so much.
Lisa´s last blog ..Random Friday- Ignore the duck
I really liked Swimming … but it was my first book of hers. Maybe I would like this and the other one even more.
Jenners´s last blog ..Review- The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
I have The Girl Who Stopped Swimming but I haven’t read it. Something about this cover does remind me of that other one though…
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