Thicketty

by Jerrold D. Peeler

Set in what was then part of Spartanburg County in South Carolina, Thicketty follows the lives of Walt Banneck and his son, Cal, through three of the most tumultuous decades of the nineteenth century. During this time, a war is fought and lost. While navigating through a world turned upside-down, the path before them is one that pits them against both the law and the lawless. 
Walt, who had been shunned by his pious neighbors before the war, returns home to become not only a successful farmer and entrepreneur, but the area's champion as well. Meanwhile, Cal, who idolizes his seldom-at-home father and receives little kindness from his mother, is drawn into the bosom of the farm's Negro family. For everyone on the Banneck farm, especially Cal, day-to-day life is monotonous and dull. That changes when Walt decides that his children should receive at least a rudimentary education and arranges for the young and beautiful Sammie Trivette to be their tutor. Cal is immediately and totally smitten, but decides to keep his love a secret until he has something more to offer her. That day finally comes, and with it a series of events that would test the mettle of the strongest men. 
Theirs is a story of love and hate, of protectiveness and treachery, of compassion and vindictiveness, but above all, it is one of youthful determination and the undying hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

Genres: Historical Fiction

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2015

Reviews

[Jack Sakalauskas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. An excellent description of the hardships of the time. Sometimes, I was overwhelmed with the number of characters, but what can you do with so many children being born. It is obvious the author is not in love with any of the characters. My interest wavered during long drawn out civil war battles and the workings of the Ku Klux Klan. Still, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next two installments.

[Pamela Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down until the end. I liked the characters and the story line of each family even though I did tend to confuse what child went with which parents. The author gave us civil war history as well as a family journey. These were good people but didn't always make good decisions just like in real life. I highly recommend this book.

[Dusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of history, some action, adventure, and a little sex all add up to a good Southern family saga.

[Dana Peeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great family saga with well developed characters and several unexpected plot twists. It was a little difficult at first to sort out the characters but well worth the effort. A real page turner.

[Marci Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great historical fiction. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Kathy Custer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thicketty

Good story about a family before, during and after Civil War. It has interesting characters that I wanted to learn more about. There if real life in this book; love, hate, death, lives being changed in every chapter. It's a history, love, family tragedy novel. If you like drama of the South and the history that goes with it, it is a good read. Can't wait to read the second and third books.