Bayou L'Abeille

by A.D. Sams

If you're looking for an esape from it all, come on down to Bayou L'Abeille for a visit. Take a stroll through the L'Abeille-Toombs Historical Cemetery or our prize gardens kept by Miss Nonie. Hear the colorful stories from our favorite musicians at Popeye Sims' Music Shop and you might even run into local legend Lenny Waxman. Have breakfast at The Butter Biscuit then enjoy some junktique shopping and coffee at the Joe-N-Junk. Grab a po' boy for lunch at the L'Abeille Diner, but make sure to save some room for BBQ and blues over at Cottonmouth's Review. If you mention Honey Slade, Cottonmouth will fix you up with a free plate of beignets. Don't be put off by the Alligator Advisory, in effect until the end of the season for the south side bayou near Roux Roux St. A white alligator has been spotted in the water, proving that even our 'gators are special. The people of Bayou L'Abeille walk a fine rhythm between lovely and heartbreaking, hilarious and sad, bitter and so very, very sweet. Why not join them and experience a slice of life on the bayou?

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

When I was young, I was surrounded by love bugs, my Maw-Maw’s rasping laughter that jiggled her belly, a field full of cows, and more Pentecostal hair than you could shake a stick at. My Paw-Paw, driven closer to heaven by his long, lean build, was the pastor. He was forthright and sincere, so when he smiled his sideways smile and explained to me that only liars lived in Georgia, the salt-and-pepper twirl of hair at the top of his head somehow drove home the point. This fact was a down-right insult to me as I was far too young to understand the twinkle in his eye. Alas, much to my protests, squalling, and outright ornery demeanor, my family moved to Georgia anyway.

I’m a long way from the swinging moss of a southeast Texas evening and the bayou nights that sink into your skin. Somewhere along the edge of November, I’ll promenade into my 37th year with more knowledge about who lives in Georgia than my Paw-Paw.
When I consider how to box the chaotic gale of creativity, lipstick and sarcasm that I am, I came up with this:

I’m definitely a writer of southern fiction, probably a writer of dark, twisty things, and maybe a writer who hasn't quite decided where to hide the bodies. All of that is, of course, speculation. Or is it?

I live in west Georgia with my dog, Sherwood (a half-Newfoundland mutt who believes he’s part bunny and part balloon animal) and a very healthy Imagination, which I keep in an igloo in the back yard.

I'm currently working on the next edition of Bayou L'Abeille stories as well as other anthology projects.

Reviews

[John Parr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid entry to the canon of short story collections about the denizens of a southern town.

[Candice Mizell DeFatta · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Truth is stranger than fiction.” We have all heard this expression, but for A.D. Sams, the expression came to life within the pages of Bayou L’Abeille. In fact, the novel’s life force focuses on the oft-heard expression as story by story, character by character, we learn of the inner workings and passions of the eclectic town of Bayou L’Abeille.

A myriad of characters make up the town of Bayou L’Abeille— some hilariously gritty, some seedy. As each of the characters strut into the spotlight, enlightening moments in each of their lives unfold. These moments are often poignant and funny, but what they each share is a healthy dose of reality. These are real, flawed characters who make bad decisions and suffer the consequences, characters who open their hearts to love and loss. These are characters whose life takes shape, sometimes rendering themselves into someone familiar in our own lives. Our favorite Aunt lives within these pages. Our aging grandparents, closest friends, sisters, uncles, and drunks—they all live here.

Sams gives us the beginnings of it all in the founding citizens of Bayou L’Abeille, and plays upon the cyclic nature of the universe by spotlighting stories from a newer generation of which the people are as recognizable in character and relationship as the ghosts looking over the town.

As you read the stories, you will discover the bonding entity that exists in each of them. The neighborhood dog, apparently cared for by the whole town, lopes through the entire book. The constant existence of the dog (whose name—as eclectic as the town and citizens—we finally discover toward the end of the novel) is one of my favorite details of this novel. Through the care of (or dismissal of) the old dog, character depth is shown. The diner worker who saves scraps for the mutt will be the same one who steps in to care for the “jittery man.” The music store owner who allows the dog to sleep inside his door is the same man who houses his cousin and tolerates a snappy old man. The dog is an important aspect of the novel and, in my opinion, carries the aura of the newer generation of Bayou L’Abeille from story to story.

Humor is another factor that strikes a chord throughout the novel. The comedic situations in which we find a few of the characters actually had me laughing aloud. The imagery, coupled with spot-on dialogue that never drowns the reader with dialect, makes for hilarious moments. Just how does one get pantyhose stuck on a lamp while trying to sneak out of a window? It’s laugh-out-loud funny. Trust me.

For a dose of Southern reality with a cup-full of humor and a splash of drunken debauchery, pick up A.D. Sams’ Bayou L’Abeille, found at www.feypublishing.com. Oh, and you may need some tissues, too.

[Nina Potts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A myriad of short stories revolve around an antiquated Louisiana town. Time has little meaning here, and stories jump around from tales of the towns founders to it's visitors to its residents. At many points I was unaware of what time period a story was taking place in, which can be detracting. Once I was past the first few stories, it was easier to absorb that each piece is about the characters and setting, that the time has very little meaning, because its not relevant.

The various stories really collected what the outside world has been given of what a small Louisiana town might be like (as those settings have gained popularity in the last few decades), when in reality this could easy be any town, or any city. Each character is different and nuanced. The stories touch on so many themes and common issues that it is unlikely you will leave the book without a character you identified with, or fell in love with. Characters and buildings pop up in each others stories, weaving the intricacy of the town with its history. Scenery is typical of what you hear from a Bayou setting, moss, lush gardens, a landscape one might easily get lost in, or that time might eat away at.

My only complaints were that the back synopsis was a bit confusing, so I wasn't sure what I was going to be reading to start with. Also, when a few characters showed up in other stories, I did have to go back and reread who they were. I would have loved a bit more detail for characters like Melvin, Hoyt, and Kelly.

In particular my favourites included Of A Red Bird and The Oracle. I love strange imagery, which both of these fulfilled. Add in odd events, blood ties that seem magical, and a Seer that knows more than anyone realizes, and I'm hooked.

It ends well, the last 2 stories wrapping up what felt like some loose ends that were left in some of the middle tales. I suggest reading it twice to really catch all of it, like a movie that you might have missed a few of the good lines just watching it once.

PS: You might cry a little at a few of these stories, so save some tissue.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories by A.D. Sams feels like a series of evenings spent on neighbor’s porches, sipping sweet tea and listening to the stories. A clever mix of past and present, uplifting and tear-inducing stories and one wandering dog that is owned by all and none simultaneously, the stories show the connections and separations of this little town.

The underlying message that time is irrelevant when people are connected and connecting comes through very clearly in the lack of specific features to date the stories, and once you realize you are on a ride of discovery, even that quirk begins to feel natural and right.

Each character is developed with enough detail to make them real: good and bad points, unique patois and even distinct sense of what is important to share: at times it felt as if the author was simply the hand to copy the story, so distinct and unique are the voices in each story and a skill not held by many.

While there is a beginning, middle and end to the collection, I still didn’t find a solid “conclusion” that left me with a sense of knowing the town as well as I could have. There were a few loose ends that while brought to a close, didn’t feel wholly complete. There were some family and story ties that weren’t easily discovered, and a second reading to put each person in context and see how they affected the end was both beneficial and enjoyable. That is not a major complaint, nor a bad thing: for I would like to see more from Sams in this vein, and about the town.

This is one of those collections that you may start out reading a story or two, and look up at the end. A perfect romp through the bayou, without snakes, bugs and mud.

I received an eBook from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Mark Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book crammed with atmosphere and a host of beguiling characters. The use of imagery and way the author depicts the people of Bayou L'Abeille is nothing short of amazing, and each of the vignettes included here is so well observed that you feel like you're eavesdropping on the characters as they go about their day to day business. I only wish there was a sequel to this.. hint, hint!

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a trip to Louisiana with my pal, A.D. and was sad to leave.

This is a collection of short stories and the only complaint I have is that it left me wanting more. I hope to eventually read a lot more about the people I met on this little journey.

I was hooked right away, A.D. has a way with words that held me captivated until the last page.

Magic Hat ended up being my favorite.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely does a book make me laugh loud enough to scare the cat. This book was the exception. With a mix of stories ranging from hilarous to heartbreaking, this book is hard to put down. Can't wait to read more.