Terminal Bend

by Patricia Mayer

Terminal Bend is set in WWII Alabama, in a coastal town. Narrated by Miss Melba, the novel explores that time's shames and its glories through her memories of different characters. Meet T-Coyote, a native-born Japanese gardener who is suddenly whisked to a concentration camp. Meet Buddha Mose, a black draftee not allowed to fight because of his race and his eyesight. Meet Brother Earl, who manages to avoid the draft by joining the Louisiana Mafia. Meet Bink, who fights in the war and oddly finds homosexual love on the front. Threading these and many more together is the voice of Miss Melba, a narrator full of the wisdom that allows her--and the reader--to feel all these foibles, defeats, and victories as if living them.

246 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Pat Templeton]

This author is my cousin, however this does not change my review! Would love to see more southern family episodes as she remembers them!

[angie]

outstanding!

Absolutely outstanding story that shows the colorful life of small towns across the south, i’ve known people like the characters in the story all my life it could be my small town lol. Loved it!