Blackbelly

by Heather Sharfeddin

Blackbelly is a contemporary western that suspensefully traces the consequences of a crime of bigotry. It is the story of an unjustly accused sheep rancher's struggle to reclaim his life, and that of a woman close to him, from perils imposed by a domineering father and the culture of a remote Idaho town. The author, a forester's daughter raised in Idaho and Montana, conveys an authentic sense of place, with the gritty but proudly independent community of Sweetwater a prominent part of the story.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2005

About the author

Heather Sharfeddin is a novelist whose work has earned starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal, has been honored with an Erick Hoffer award and at the New York and San Francisco Book Festivals, as well as the Pacific Northwest Book Sellers Association. Her first novel, Blackbelly, was named one of the top five novels of 2005 by the Portsmouth Harold. She has taught creative writing at Randolph-Macon College, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and Linfield College (presently). She is also a book reviewer for Colorado Review. Her fifth novel What Keeps You is due out in late 2016.

Sharfeddin holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a PhD in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University (Bath, England).

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Reviews

[Holli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the book. I really enjoyed it and am feeling a little sad that I don't have these characters to keep reading about. I'm tempted to start the book over again to avoid losing their company. The book moves at a good pace and is anything but predictable. We are given a hint of what the police officer in the story is like, leaving me wanting to know more about him, although he was not a main character. Chas, the main character, is truly a good and moral soul, despite his flaws. The details are very authentic of rural ranch life in Idaho and painted a full picture that you could simply step into and forget you were reading. Little things like the sheep's reaction to things seen and unseen gave the book rich context. I would highly recommend this book and am eagerly waiting to see what else comes out from this author.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first-rate modern Western was a pleasure to read. Set in Idaho during a pre-cell phone era (I'm guessing the late 1970s or maybe early 1980s), the tale involves deceit, guilt, romance, and all the good stuff found perking in fiction. The main characters are flawed with their warts and all, but they also possess a Midwestern decency that spurs them to strive to do better. I learned all sorts of technical things about raising sheep that while interesting didn't convince me to try my hand at it. Seriously though, I was impressed with Ms. Sharfeddin's prose and narrative skills. I'd definitely read more of her books.

[Alins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny things happen when you face the truth: people begin to feel better about themselves. That's how it is in Blackbelly, a book full of small-town angst. Set in Sweetwater, Idaho, population "a long way from a shopping mall," the book's voice and cadence fits the landscape: plainspoken, unassuming and natural. Author Sharfeddin has crafted a compelling story around Chas McPherson, a 41-year-old who wants to be left alone to tend his flock of blackbelly sheep and do the right thing -- which includes helping his dad live out his last days at home. Intimidating as he is fragile, the senior McPherson is dying from late-stage Parkinson's. You can feel sorry for him, but it's not easy to like him. His freakish past as the town's fiery pastor includes calling people out for their sins. Now that he's mute and expressionless, we don't know what he's thinking, but he's apparently more alert than the people able to walk and talk around him. His silence looms large, adding dimension and tension between he and his son, and he and Mattie Holden -- the youngish nurse willing to put up with just about anything. Sharfeddin romanticizes nothing. The old ranch and house are a dump, the sheep are dirty, and the drinking gets hard. Above it all is an earnest sheriff who's trying to figure out who burned down the house of an Iranian-American family that -- good lord -- doesn't celebrate Christmas. Nicely drawn is how the characters' personal certainties unravel. Particularly touching are nurse Mattie's one-way, slightly awkward conversations with the old man, where she keeps him going by talking about everything from 16th-century fashion to random Bible passages, which she knows little about. She works hard. And she puts up with Chas, a small man on the exterior, but a big one inside. Why would a nurse take a job in the middle of nowhere? Why is Chas the town's number-one suspect for the arson? It's why I recommend it. Throw in never-die prejudices and the complexities of political correctness, man-made sins, forgiveness, and Sharfeddin delivers an even-handed novel that touch the truths of remembering too much.

[Janell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want to put this book down; I read it in two sittings. The story of the two main characters, Chas and Mattie, is subtle and complex at the same time. The story is part romance, part mystery, with a little supernatural element thrown in. A satisfying read. I can't wait to start Mineral Spirits, the book she wrote after this, which takes one of the supporting characters of this book and makes him the main character of his own story.

[Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not able to understand the backstory, so it was somewhat confusing to me, but nevertheless it had very good moments, and one was esily able to identify with aspects of the characters.

[Debbie (Vote Blue) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the kind of book I like—about complicated human beings.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you lived thru the 60's and the music scene, like David Mitchell it's hard not to enjoy this one, though it does veer to fantastic for Jasper. Previous Mitchell readers may feel at home with this because they're familiar with characters from previous works, those new to Mitchell may feel the book takes an unusual turn. Just a nice break from all the non-fiction important Anti-Racism books I've been reading.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very well-written and enjoyable novel by Heather Sharfeddin.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Chas McPherson, who hires a home health-care nurse, Mattie Holden, to care for his dying father, a once powerful, wrathful preacher now incapacitated by Parkinson's.

When the house of the lone Muslim family in Sweetwater is burned down, the inhabitants of the tiny Idaho town accuse Chas of arson, their old grudges against his father fueling their suspicion of the reclusive younger man.

This is a poignant story for our times. It reminds me of the saying "if we turn our skin inside out, we are all the same." A loving and moving portrayal of two people struggling to hold on and overcome predjudice.

[Cori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweetwater Burning (orig published as Blackbelly) follows a rancher and the nurse he hires to take care of his dying father. The plot is fueled by an accusation that the farmer burned down the house of a local Muslim family.

I loved this book. The writing style was splended, pulling me into the characters and into Idaho. While reading the book, my heart was broken. Its been awhile since a book has evoked so much emotion from me. I received this book through Goodreads First Reads, and I am glad I did! Highly recommended!

[Elaine]

4
474

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun easy read

[Jennifer_tang788]

it's a nice book ...

[Sherilyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I realy started out liking this book but then the author had to go and ruin it by putting in a vivid sex scene so I stopped reading it

[Her Royal Orangeness · Rating 2 out of 5]

http://onlyorangery.blogspot.com/2011...

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read. Real characters with flaws, needs and the hope of making life better. Suspense builds nicely. Realistic, sad and hopeful.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

previously published as "Blackbelly" which is the hard cover version I read. Not my usual type of novel, but it was well written and kept my interest to the very end. Quick read for me.

[Sean Hazenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a fairly simple read but it is none the less great. Perfect for realistic fiction readers, and i highly suggest

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rich and engaging read, with memorable characters who have specificity--totally without cliche. I am grateful for the loan of this book.