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Sinner from the South
Seeking redemption for the secret murder of her preacher thirty years earlier, a woman on the cusp of realizing her dreams is destroyed when Hurricane Katrina’s wrath unleashes the preacher’s car from its watery grave and reopens the mystery of his disappearance. The setting is Alabama, summer of 1969. Integration. Racial and Social unrest and Sexual awakenings. It is the story of Kitty Bankhead, 16, caught in an unending struggle with her innate, desperate faith. She has her heart set on leaving behind her childhood of genteel poverty and becoming a Broadway actress, following in the footsteps of her famous cousin, Tallulah. Her plans are derailed when she is brutally raped by her Preacher, Glen Duvall – who has a mysterious and sinister background, and murders him in his secret lair. With the help of her best friend, they bury his body and push his car into the murky waters of the Black Warrior River. Thirty years later, Hurricane Katrina stirs up every creek and river in Alabama and the aqua blue Cadillac of Glen Duvall surfaces, summoning Kitty to return home to face questions from a newly appointed prosecutor set on solving the thirty year old mystery of the preacher’s disappearance. The secrets lie in what the river has unearthed, for the river keeps what it needs and the rest is washed to the sea. SINNER FROM THE SOUTH is more than a novel; it is a journey for every soul who searches for redemption. ________________________________ "When a book leaves your hands, it belongs to God. He may use it to save a few souls or to try a few others, but I think that for the writer to worry is to take over God's business. " Flannery O'Connor Alabama Jane Brown was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She has lived in Atlanta, Herrenberg, Germany, Nashville/Franklin, Tennessee and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She received her BA from Judson College for Women, and studied fiction writing with Barry Hannah at The University of Alabama while pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing. She attended the Sewanee Writers Conference and the Algonkian Writers Conference. The late Barry Hannah called Ms. Brown’s writing, “a mixture of Flannery O’Connor meeting Erica Jong for a shoot out at the O. K. Corral.” Ms. Brown resides in Alabama with her husband in a historic log cabin with a menagerie of ghosts and cats. Ms. Brown has published on webdelsol under “New Voices” and is at work on her third novel, The Ghost Dancer’s Shirt.
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2011
1 person is currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Alabama Jane Brown
2 books5 followersAlabama Jane Brown has established herself as a literary artist with her first novel about a murder and its defense. In Sinner from the South (Editio Publishers, $15.95), Brown tells a story that spans several decades, from the turbulent South of the 1960s through present day. The novel is told in first-person by Kitty Bankhead, whose lower middle class family's claim to fame is its relationship to actress Tallulah, a cousin.. In the beginning, Kitty's life is that of a small town teenager in Hopewell Springs, Alabama, whose gregarious, fearless best friend is a similarly situated youth named Dale Marie. Their progressive beliefs conflict with their surroundings where the waning days of the racially charged South are finally giving way to integration. The two of them welcome the changes. They are teens full of life and hope until Kitty finds herself in the unwanted clutch of her pastor, Glen Duvall, the novel's antagonist, following an ill-fated day helping with a charity event. Duvall, whose demons outnumber those against whom he preaches, rapes Kitty at a site where he has ravaged a number of the community's women, including his own parishioners. Kitty is the first not to be blindfolded as Duvall views their relationship to have a higher calling.
Kitty kills Duvall at the scene of his crime, but she does not understand the nature of her act within its setting or the relative value of the self-defense she undertook. From there, she and Dale Marie seek to hide the evidence of Kitty's act. The following morning, Kitty's father dies, and her mother begins to lose touch with reality. Not known at the time are the origins of those events. The story then follows Kitty's affected journey through adulthood.
The novel eventually clarifies life for Kitty, both past and present, through a series of diary entries prescribed to her by a nun for their therapeutic value. These entries, as is the rest of the novel, are written with meaning and purpose, reminiscent of the works of Faulkner and the playwriting of O'Neill. Brown does not follow a formula or utilize contemporary shortcuts but rather creates in most of her prose an eloquence missing among most frequently published authors common to the best seller list. Much of her sentence structure and syntax is deserving of second consideration as the novel is read. It is literature and not simply writing.
Ultimately, after decades of Duvall's Cadillac being submerged in a river by Kitty and Dale Marie, an investigation is reopened after the car is exposed by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, whereupon Kitty employs a lawyer named Rappaport, whose defense theory is never required to be presented. Duvall's victims come in force to Kitty's defense. It is also a crime without a body, thanks to Kitty's father. With her innocence established, angels give her life back, from the point it spiraled, making Kitty's existence itself innocent once again.
Sinner from the South is an excellent read. Though her use of metaphors early on is unnecessary given the quality of her writing, and notwithstanding one sequence mentioning heroes during Kitty's early years that includes famous women not then known, Brown excels at her art.
On a personal note, I met Alabama Jane Brown when I was twelve years old. Then Patti Jane McGee, she was one of a group of seventh grade girls that defined our own years while coming of age. Patti was always the more refined and mature of the group, deeper in thought and full of confidence. Her writing exudes that same confidence, and I congratulate her on this novel and wish her the best in her future literary work.
Kitty kills Duvall at the scene of his crime, but she does not understand the nature of her act within its setting or the relative value of the self-defense she undertook. From there, she and Dale Marie seek to hide the evidence of Kitty's act. The following morning, Kitty's father dies, and her mother begins to lose touch with reality. Not known at the time are the origins of those events. The story then follows Kitty's affected journey through adulthood.
The novel eventually clarifies life for Kitty, both past and present, through a series of diary entries prescribed to her by a nun for their therapeutic value. These entries, as is the rest of the novel, are written with meaning and purpose, reminiscent of the works of Faulkner and the playwriting of O'Neill. Brown does not follow a formula or utilize contemporary shortcuts but rather creates in most of her prose an eloquence missing among most frequently published authors common to the best seller list. Much of her sentence structure and syntax is deserving of second consideration as the novel is read. It is literature and not simply writing.
Ultimately, after decades of Duvall's Cadillac being submerged in a river by Kitty and Dale Marie, an investigation is reopened after the car is exposed by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, whereupon Kitty employs a lawyer named Rappaport, whose defense theory is never required to be presented. Duvall's victims come in force to Kitty's defense. It is also a crime without a body, thanks to Kitty's father. With her innocence established, angels give her life back, from the point it spiraled, making Kitty's existence itself innocent once again.
Sinner from the South is an excellent read. Though her use of metaphors early on is unnecessary given the quality of her writing, and notwithstanding one sequence mentioning heroes during Kitty's early years that includes famous women not then known, Brown excels at her art.
On a personal note, I met Alabama Jane Brown when I was twelve years old. Then Patti Jane McGee, she was one of a group of seventh grade girls that defined our own years while coming of age. Patti was always the more refined and mature of the group, deeper in thought and full of confidence. Her writing exudes that same confidence, and I congratulate her on this novel and wish her the best in her future literary work.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 25, 2014
This was a beautiful story, beautifully crafted. It touched on difficult subjects but handled them with sensitivity as well as truth. By the end, you cared deeply for the main character and wanted her to find peace and happiness. Alabama has a strong Southern voice that permeated each page, drawing the reader in. I enjoyed her novel from start to finish. It made me want to read Alabama's other works.
November 20, 2012
"Sinner from the South," a Coming-of-Age Work of Literature
Alabama Jane Brown has established herself as a literary artist with her first novel about a murder and its defense. In SINNER FROM THE SOUTH (Editio, $15.95), Brown tells a story that spans several decades, from the turbulent South in the 1960s through present day. The novel is told in first person by Kitty Bankhead, whose lower middle class family's claim to fame is its relationship to actress Tallulah, a cousin. In the beginning, Kitty's life is that of a small town teenager in Hopewell Springs, Alabama, whose gregarious, fearless best friend is a similarly situated youth named Dale Marie. Their progressive beliefs conflict with their surroundings, where the waning days of the racially charged South are finally giving way to integration. The two of them welcome the changes. They are teens full of life and hope, until Kitty finds herself in the unwanted clutch of her pastor, Glen Duvall, the novel's antagonist, following an ill-fated day helping with a charity event. Duvall, whose demons outnumber those against whom he preaches, rapes Kitty at a site where he has ravaged a number of the community's other women, including his own parishioners. Kitty is the first to not be blindfolded, however, as Duvall views their relationship to have a higher calling.
Kitty kills Duvall at the scene of his crime, but does not understand the nature of her act within its setting, and the relative value of the self-defense she undertook. From there, she and Dale Marie seek to hide the evidence of Kitty's act. The following morning, her father dies, and her mother begins to lose touch with reality. Not known at the time are the origins for those events. From there we follow Kitty's life through adulthood.
The novel eventually clarifies life for Kitty, both past and present, through a series of diary entries prescribed by a nun for their therapeutic value. These entries, as is the rest of the novel, are written with meaning and purpose, reminiscent of the works of Faulkner and the playwriting of O'Neill. Brown does not follow a formula or utilize contemporary shortcuts, but rather creates in most of her prose an eloquence missing among most frequently published authors common to the best seller list. Much of her sentence structure and syntax is deserving of second consideration as the novel is read. It is literature, and not simply writing.
Ultimately, after decades of Duvall's Cadillac being submerged in a river by Kitty and Dale Marie, an investigation is reopened after the car is exposed by the ravages of Hurricane Katrina, whereupon Kitty employs a lawyer named Rappaport, whose defense theory is never required to be presented. Duvall's victims come in force to Kitty's defense. It is also a crime without a body, thanks to Kitty's father. With her innocence established, angels give her life back, from the point it spiraled, making Kitty's existence itself innocent once again.
SINNER FROM THE SOUTH is an excellent read. Though her use of metaphors early on is unnecessary given the quality of her writing, and notwithstanding one sequence mentioning heroes during Kitty's early years that includes famous women not then known, Brown excels at her art.
On a personal note, I met Alabama Jane Brown when I was twelve years old. Then Patti Jane McGee, she was one of a group of seventh grade girls that defined my and her friends' own years while coming of age. Patti was always the more refined and mature of the group, deeper in thought and full of confidence. Her writing exudes that same confidence and I congratulate her on this novel and wish her well with her future literary work.
G STEVEN HENRY
Alabama Jane Brown has established herself as a literary artist with her first novel about a murder and its defense. In SINNER FROM THE SOUTH (Editio, $15.95), Brown tells a story that spans several decades, from the turbulent South in the 1960s through present day. The novel is told in first person by Kitty Bankhead, whose lower middle class family's claim to fame is its relationship to actress Tallulah, a cousin. In the beginning, Kitty's life is that of a small town teenager in Hopewell Springs, Alabama, whose gregarious, fearless best friend is a similarly situated youth named Dale Marie. Their progressive beliefs conflict with their surroundings, where the waning days of the racially charged South are finally giving way to integration. The two of them welcome the changes. They are teens full of life and hope, until Kitty finds herself in the unwanted clutch of her pastor, Glen Duvall, the novel's antagonist, following an ill-fated day helping with a charity event. Duvall, whose demons outnumber those against whom he preaches, rapes Kitty at a site where he has ravaged a number of the community's other women, including his own parishioners. Kitty is the first to not be blindfolded, however, as Duvall views their relationship to have a higher calling.
Kitty kills Duvall at the scene of his crime, but does not understand the nature of her act within its setting, and the relative value of the self-defense she undertook. From there, she and Dale Marie seek to hide the evidence of Kitty's act. The following morning, her father dies, and her mother begins to lose touch with reality. Not known at the time are the origins for those events. From there we follow Kitty's life through adulthood.
The novel eventually clarifies life for Kitty, both past and present, through a series of diary entries prescribed by a nun for their therapeutic value. These entries, as is the rest of the novel, are written with meaning and purpose, reminiscent of the works of Faulkner and the playwriting of O'Neill. Brown does not follow a formula or utilize contemporary shortcuts, but rather creates in most of her prose an eloquence missing among most frequently published authors common to the best seller list. Much of her sentence structure and syntax is deserving of second consideration as the novel is read. It is literature, and not simply writing.
Ultimately, after decades of Duvall's Cadillac being submerged in a river by Kitty and Dale Marie, an investigation is reopened after the car is exposed by the ravages of Hurricane Katrina, whereupon Kitty employs a lawyer named Rappaport, whose defense theory is never required to be presented. Duvall's victims come in force to Kitty's defense. It is also a crime without a body, thanks to Kitty's father. With her innocence established, angels give her life back, from the point it spiraled, making Kitty's existence itself innocent once again.
SINNER FROM THE SOUTH is an excellent read. Though her use of metaphors early on is unnecessary given the quality of her writing, and notwithstanding one sequence mentioning heroes during Kitty's early years that includes famous women not then known, Brown excels at her art.
On a personal note, I met Alabama Jane Brown when I was twelve years old. Then Patti Jane McGee, she was one of a group of seventh grade girls that defined my and her friends' own years while coming of age. Patti was always the more refined and mature of the group, deeper in thought and full of confidence. Her writing exudes that same confidence and I congratulate her on this novel and wish her well with her future literary work.
G STEVEN HENRY
August 31, 2016
Goodreads Autograph Copy
A story of an innocent Alabamian teenager whose life change an one summer day by an unscrupulous preacher. Tale of survivor of being raped and killing the preacher. Finding that he has also victimized others which includes her mother.
Surviving decades of guilt and hidden secrets as Hurricane Katrina strikes dredging up the preacher's car. This brings back the case of the missing preacher into the spotlight as some of his victims confess to killing him.
A gripping tale of the secrets we keep.
A story of an innocent Alabamian teenager whose life change an one summer day by an unscrupulous preacher. Tale of survivor of being raped and killing the preacher. Finding that he has also victimized others which includes her mother.
Surviving decades of guilt and hidden secrets as Hurricane Katrina strikes dredging up the preacher's car. This brings back the case of the missing preacher into the spotlight as some of his victims confess to killing him.
A gripping tale of the secrets we keep.
March 30, 2014
Stick with it, and I think you'll enjoy it - that was my experience.
I received this book via a giveaway and I was a bit worried about it when I received it as the cover was a bit odd - the cover is explained in the book as to where it's from and what it represents.
After the first 60 pages or so I was ready to put it down as it was quite weird and I was a bit lost - the story jumped around and was finding it hard to follow. I kept with it though and the story picked up once we got to the current day and I was able to follow who was the narrator and what was happening. The story itself was actually pretty good once I was following much better and so I'm glad I stayed with it.
I received this book via a giveaway and I was a bit worried about it when I received it as the cover was a bit odd - the cover is explained in the book as to where it's from and what it represents.
After the first 60 pages or so I was ready to put it down as it was quite weird and I was a bit lost - the story jumped around and was finding it hard to follow. I kept with it though and the story picked up once we got to the current day and I was able to follow who was the narrator and what was happening. The story itself was actually pretty good once I was following much better and so I'm glad I stayed with it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews