Can't Shake the Dust

by C.H. Hooks

Buckle Up for a High-Octane Ride through the South's Shadowed HeartIn Can' t Shake the Dust, "Little" Bill Lemon, III, stands at the crossroads of a troubled legacy. From the notorious "Monkey Palace," his grandfather's bar, to the enigmatic history of his father, Wild, to his mother's questionable dog-breeding business, Little takes to the dirt track every Saturday night, racing to outpace the looming shadows of his family's past. Behind the wheel of a ramshackle DIY car, in a place where scarcity reigns— be it money, jobs, food, or even soap to cleanse the stubborn Georgia red dirt— Little teeters on the edge of self-destruction and redemption. As he navigates life on the fringe of Southern backroads, the weight of his ancestry threatens to pull him under. While checkered flags may elude him on the track, Little possesses the heart of a true champion. Readers will find themselves on their feet in the stands, rallying for him as he plunges headfirst into a turbulent voyage of self-discovery and survival. Can' t Shake the Dust is an exhilarating tale of resilience, tenacity, and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to race against all odds.

262 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

C.H. Hooks is the author of the novels Can’t Shake the Dust (2024) and Alligator Zoo-Park Magic (2019). His work has appeared in publications including: The Los Angeles Review, American Short Fiction, Four Way Review, The Tampa Review, and The Bitter Southerner. He was a Tennessee Williams Scholar at Sewanee Writers' Conference, and attended DISQUIET: Dzanc Books International Literary Program in Lisbon. He teaches at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida.

Reviews

[Justin Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

First!
"If you ain't first, you're last" -Ricky Bobby
Can't Shake The Dust is about the most appropriate name this book could be called! You immediately are put under a spell from the first chapter and you find yourself immersed in this kind of timeless southern place. Wild was a racing legend before his home town career was ended in a gone legging, car crash. His son Little is tasked with taking on the family gauntlet. You also get the perspective of Nanny, Littles mom. With some throw backs to one of Hooks former book Alligator Zoo Park Magic, this story grabs you and locks you into a rollercoaster of ups and downs as you decide who is the trusted narrator and just when if ever they will shake the dust. I am lucky enough to have got an advance copy and this one is definitely a book you should Pre-order now and prepare for this October!

[Sam A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When reviews mention an author in the same company of Harry Crews and Barry Hannah my interest is piqued and these were comments by George Singleton and Taylor Brown, two authors that I admire. Can't Shake the Dust is a novel about three generations of the Lemon family, Big Bill, Wild Bill and William "Little" Lemon, III. Big Bill operates the Monkey Palace honkytonk bar and is a pretty unlikable character. He constantly berates his alcoholic son, Wild Bill, who is a former dirt track racing champ that lost his leg in a horrific crash while racing. Little, who is just a teenager has been tasked with the mantle of continuing the racing in the family, not to just continue the tradition of his father but also to put food on the table. His mother, Nanny runs a dog breeding facility and is separated from Wild. Little unfortunately lives with his dad who operates a less than successful lawn service and mostly spends his time drinking vodka. Wild, Little and Nanny are the narrators of this story and you see differing points of view from each of them. This is an often sad story of the desperation of poverty of these three family members, but it is not without some humorous moments and a glimmer of hope for better days for these characters. Mr. Hooks is a talented writer worth watching. I'm looking forward to reading more of his work in the future.

[Heather R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at Delicious Reads, author signing event hosted by Hub City Press in Spartanburg, SC. Met the gracious author, and dove into the novel straight away. This is an exceptional and moving story. I was impressed by the rendering of modern poverty and the often unintentional harm done to neglected children of addicts. Yes, it is sad, but I found resilience and hope, even in the character most lost. CH Hooks has deep reverence for the human condition. That’s my takeaway.

[Megan McCarthy-Biank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hooks offers rich storytelling and tragic heroes with Can’t Shake the Dust. The dynamic between the three Lemon men and Nanny are immediately apparent. The characters are complex yet sad. Wild is chasing after success that only his son can provide. And even though Little is basically still a child, he is just as responsible for his own survival. While Little makes questionable decisions regarding sexual partners, we see his internal struggle and desire to do the right thing and chase the life that he wants. Unfortunately, the pacing was slow and I couldn’t connect with the characters on a deeper level. Some plot points were left open-ended and I was confused at times. Overall, readers who enjoy Southern or Rural Fiction will want to check it out.

In-depth book review: https://cantinabookclub.com/review/ca...