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The Bible Salesman
Preston Clearwater has been a criminal since stealing two chain saws and 1600 pairs of aviator sunglasses from the Army during the Second World War. Back on the road in post-war North Carolina, a member of a car-theft ring, he picks up hitch-hiking Henry Dampier, an innocent nineteen-year-old Bible salesman.
Clearwater immediately recognizes Henry as just the associate he needs -- one who will believe is working as an F.B.I. spy; one who will drive the cars Clearwater steals as Clearwater follows along in another car at a safe distance. Henry joyfully sees a chance to lead a dual life as Bible salesman and a G-man.
During his hilarious and scary adventures we learn of Henry's fundamentalist youth, an upbringing that doesn't prepare him for his new life. As he falls in love and questions his religious training, Henry begins to see he's being used -- that the fun and games are over, that he is on his own in a way he never imagined.
Clearwater immediately recognizes Henry as just the associate he needs -- one who will believe is working as an F.B.I. spy; one who will drive the cars Clearwater steals as Clearwater follows along in another car at a safe distance. Henry joyfully sees a chance to lead a dual life as Bible salesman and a G-man.
During his hilarious and scary adventures we learn of Henry's fundamentalist youth, an upbringing that doesn't prepare him for his new life. As he falls in love and questions his religious training, Henry begins to see he's being used -- that the fun and games are over, that he is on his own in a way he never imagined.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
52 people are currently reading
965 people want to read
About the author
Clyde Edgerton
48 books275 followersClyde Edgerton is widely considered one of the premier novelists working in the Southern tradition today, often compared with such masters as Eudora Welty and Flannery O'Connor.
Although most of his books deal with adult concerns--marriage, aging, birth and death--Edgerton's work is most profoundly about family. In books such as Raney, Walking Across Egypt, The Floatplane Notebooks, and Killer Diller, Edgerton explores the dimensions of family life, using an endearing (if eccentric) cast of characters. "Edgerton's characters," writes Mary Lystad in Twentieth-Century Young Adult Writers, "have more faults than most, but they also have considerable virtues, and they are so likable that you want to invite them over for a cup of coffee, a piece of homemade apple pie, and a nice long chat."
Raised in the small towns of the North Carolina Piedmont, Edgerton draws heavily on the storytelling traditions of the rural south in his novels. Without the distractions of big-city life and the communications revolution of the late twentieth century, many rural Americans stayed in close touch with their relatives, and often shared stories about family members with each other for entertainment.
Among Edgerton’s awards are: Guggenheim Fellowship; Lyndhurst Prize; Honorary Doctorates from UNC-Asheville and St. Andrews Presbyterian College; membership in the Fellowship of Southern Writers; the North Carolina Award for Literature; and five notable book awards from the New York Times.
Although most of his books deal with adult concerns--marriage, aging, birth and death--Edgerton's work is most profoundly about family. In books such as Raney, Walking Across Egypt, The Floatplane Notebooks, and Killer Diller, Edgerton explores the dimensions of family life, using an endearing (if eccentric) cast of characters. "Edgerton's characters," writes Mary Lystad in Twentieth-Century Young Adult Writers, "have more faults than most, but they also have considerable virtues, and they are so likable that you want to invite them over for a cup of coffee, a piece of homemade apple pie, and a nice long chat."
Raised in the small towns of the North Carolina Piedmont, Edgerton draws heavily on the storytelling traditions of the rural south in his novels. Without the distractions of big-city life and the communications revolution of the late twentieth century, many rural Americans stayed in close touch with their relatives, and often shared stories about family members with each other for entertainment.
Among Edgerton’s awards are: Guggenheim Fellowship; Lyndhurst Prize; Honorary Doctorates from UNC-Asheville and St. Andrews Presbyterian College; membership in the Fellowship of Southern Writers; the North Carolina Award for Literature; and five notable book awards from the New York Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews
May 7, 2018
Not my favorite Egerton. His trademark humor was here, and his realistic portrayal of the dialogue of the NC Piedmont area, but just a little too simplistic and folksy for me.
May 11, 2018
This book missed the mark for me. It was meant to be funny, but somehow I found it almost demeaning to Christianity, to the South, and to the intelligence of working-class people. Henry Dampier did not ring true to me, nor did Preston Clearwater, our bad guy, nor Mrs. Albright, the cat-lady next door. In fact, I could not find a single character here that seemed possible and the plot was equally unbelievable.
I could tell that Clyde Edgerton might well be able to write a good novel and perhaps some edgy humor, but this book fell flat and at some point about ¾ of the way in, I was just wanting it to reach a conclusion. Sometimes a book just isn’t a fit for a reader and I suspect this book might have more appeal for some others than it did for me.
I could tell that Clyde Edgerton might well be able to write a good novel and perhaps some edgy humor, but this book fell flat and at some point about ¾ of the way in, I was just wanting it to reach a conclusion. Sometimes a book just isn’t a fit for a reader and I suspect this book might have more appeal for some others than it did for me.
May 23, 2018
Henry Dampier is a wet behind the ears 20 year old just trying to make a buck ironically enough by selling donated free bibles all the while grappling with their accuracy since he's been brought up a strong fundamentalist. When he's picked up hitchhiking by Preston Clearwater in North Carolina the trouble begins as he's unwittingly pulled into a ramshackle crime ring. The book has it's humorous parts ( mostly involving cats) and is a twist on the usual coming of age novel as Henry smartens up, meets a girl, and tries to make good. I think I need to read some more of Clyde Edgerton's work as most folks don't consider this the best of his work. 3 stars read for Moderators choice May OTSLT
April 10, 2017
This story about a young Bible salesman accidentally getting involved in an organized crime ring was supposed to be laugh-out-loud funny, judging by the back cover and all the many reviews in the opening pages.
It was amusing at times, but I never laughed out loud. The story was good, especially with the flashbacks of Henry's life so you learned how Henry became Henry. The story takes place in North Carolina between 1930 - 1951. Henry has been raised a fundamentalist Christian and if you have ever found yourself in that situation, you understand what this boy is going through. All through this novel he keeps reading passages in the Bible, trying to reconcile them with other passages in the Bible and what he has been taught by those around him. One of the other characters I liked in this book was Uncle Jack. He was a bit irreligious and not quite like the other grown ups in Henry's world.
One day when he is hitching a ride, a car thief picks him up. That begins the saga of stealing cars (and doing other assorted crimes). Henry may be innocent but he's definitely not stupid. Things start to seem a little odd to him at some point, leading to the eventual conclusion of this novel.
A quick, easy read.
It was amusing at times, but I never laughed out loud. The story was good, especially with the flashbacks of Henry's life so you learned how Henry became Henry. The story takes place in North Carolina between 1930 - 1951. Henry has been raised a fundamentalist Christian and if you have ever found yourself in that situation, you understand what this boy is going through. All through this novel he keeps reading passages in the Bible, trying to reconcile them with other passages in the Bible and what he has been taught by those around him. One of the other characters I liked in this book was Uncle Jack. He was a bit irreligious and not quite like the other grown ups in Henry's world.
One day when he is hitching a ride, a car thief picks him up. That begins the saga of stealing cars (and doing other assorted crimes). Henry may be innocent but he's definitely not stupid. Things start to seem a little odd to him at some point, leading to the eventual conclusion of this novel.
A quick, easy read.
August 29, 2008
In 1950, Henry, a rather guileless 20-year-old Bible salesman (who sleeps in barns, and finds much to question in the Bible) is scooped up by a mysterious dapper gentleman to be his new literal partner in crime. Except Henry honestly believes that his new partner works for the FBI, and the cars they are stealing are from hardened criminals. Flashbacks profile Henry's wide-eyed childhood in small-town Bible-thumping North Carolina. The tone of the book is actually quite sweet and very often funny (there was a recommendation from David Sedaris on the cover, which piqued my interest). Alas, the character of Henry was more interesting than the con-man subplot, which didn't really offer much to the story.
October 29, 2012
It looked interesting, the synopsis indicated it would be funny. In actuality it was boring. The part that was praised as funny on the back of the book? *yawn* I didn't see anything good coming out of the book, what with the scams here and there... I felt bad for the Bible Salesman guy in that he couldn't get good answers to his questions about God (he was punished for asking questions in school, and while at home he was told it's okay to ask questions, I didn't see anyone explain the issue at hand) and inconsistencies in the Bible (he highlighted the inconsistencies, but I didn't see him seeking out what it could mean). It didn't look like this situation was going to change either. So I didn't get far into the book before stopping and returning it to the library.
December 25, 2008
Three stars is generous, and it is only because the last book I read was so mediocre that I felt this one was slightly better than mediocre.
There was a time when Edgerton spoke to my being with his folksy way of weaving a story. His characters had a depth which engaged me to some degree. This isn't the case anymore, and it is safe to declare that I am officially done with my forays into his novels.
You know, on reflection, I am downgrading this book to two stars.
Summary: Naive, folksy youth gets caught up stealing cars with a man he believes works for the FBI. This witty quip-riddled boy is also a Bible salesman who acquires boxes of Bibles from a free service and proceeds to cut out the first page that states that they are of no cost, and then he sells them to folksy people.
More description could be entered here, but frankly, I am too tired for such nonsense.
There was a time when Edgerton spoke to my being with his folksy way of weaving a story. His characters had a depth which engaged me to some degree. This isn't the case anymore, and it is safe to declare that I am officially done with my forays into his novels.
You know, on reflection, I am downgrading this book to two stars.
Summary: Naive, folksy youth gets caught up stealing cars with a man he believes works for the FBI. This witty quip-riddled boy is also a Bible salesman who acquires boxes of Bibles from a free service and proceeds to cut out the first page that states that they are of no cost, and then he sells them to folksy people.
More description could be entered here, but frankly, I am too tired for such nonsense.
November 16, 2008
I think I may have had higher expectations for this book than I should have, because it largely had a flat feel to me and no real breakthrough characters or insights on the part of Henry, the protagonist.
Henry is in his early 20s and despite being a Bible salesman -- kind of, sort of -- he struggles with contradictions in the Bible. He also isn't much of a deep thinker, or perhaps he just appears that way because it's a good strategy to avoid conflict. (Like knowing who you're really dealing with.)
The story itself ends very abruptly, and, I thought, rather predictably. And, although David Sedaris -- whom I really adore -- said in part on the cover blurb that the book is a "great comic novel," I think you'll find it to considerably less than that.
Henry is in his early 20s and despite being a Bible salesman -- kind of, sort of -- he struggles with contradictions in the Bible. He also isn't much of a deep thinker, or perhaps he just appears that way because it's a good strategy to avoid conflict. (Like knowing who you're really dealing with.)
The story itself ends very abruptly, and, I thought, rather predictably. And, although David Sedaris -- whom I really adore -- said in part on the cover blurb that the book is a "great comic novel," I think you'll find it to considerably less than that.
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September 20, 2008A dim religious doofus is conned by a murderous car thief in the South of the early fifties. Brief but pointless. The backstory parts as especially inessential, but really, there's just nothing on offer here.
I should point out that though this book is being presented as a comedy: the jacket sports a quote from David Sedaris--and nobody knows humor like David Sedaris! . . . or, at least, so every hipster I've ever met has told me--and the flaps assure a potential reader of "hilarious and scary adventures" contained therein, there is, in fact, nothing funny whatsoever about this book. Nor, to be clear, do I believe the author intended for there to be, regardless of what the marketing department at Little, Brown had to say about it.
I should point out that though this book is being presented as a comedy: the jacket sports a quote from David Sedaris--and nobody knows humor like David Sedaris! . . . or, at least, so every hipster I've ever met has told me--and the flaps assure a potential reader of "hilarious and scary adventures" contained therein, there is, in fact, nothing funny whatsoever about this book. Nor, to be clear, do I believe the author intended for there to be, regardless of what the marketing department at Little, Brown had to say about it.
May 14, 2014
You know what I'm going to remember about this? How the cats "talked" in character, especially Judas. It's not too often you think of a cat saying, "if I had a gun I'd shoot myself." See that orange tabby on the cover? It has a fight with a copperhead.
Edgerton has some clever thoughts here and some do have to do with the Bible. A quick, enjoyable read that wraps up nicely at the end.
But here's one thing I didn't get, plotwise. If the idea was to sell Bibles that Henry got for free, then why did he go to Bible-selling school. Is there such a thing?
I'll have to remember next time I angrily tell someone on the phone to put me on their DNC list that once upon a time women invited door-to-door salesmen to eat dinner with them.
Edgerton has some clever thoughts here and some do have to do with the Bible. A quick, enjoyable read that wraps up nicely at the end.
But here's one thing I didn't get, plotwise. If the idea was to sell Bibles that Henry got for free, then why did he go to Bible-selling school. Is there such a thing?
I'll have to remember next time I angrily tell someone on the phone to put me on their DNC list that once upon a time women invited door-to-door salesmen to eat dinner with them.
June 9, 2008
Amazing. Obviously, we must all buy this and read it and tell the world about Clyde.
April 12, 2009
The characters were interesting, but this novel missed the poignancy of Edgerton's other works. There were some very funny moments, but ultimatly they were not enough to carry the novel.
October 15, 2019
Henry has been raised by an aunt and uncle. Now, in the 1950's, he's decided to get out there and make a living. He becomes a bible salesman having grown up with a close relationship with the Lord and a desire to spread the word. He runs into a man named Clearwater who is an undercover FBI man who needs a second man to drive a car. He'll pay Henry under the table. Add a beautiful woman running a fruit stand and Henry has it made.
But Henry is starting to really read his bible and is coming up with questions that no one seems to have an answer for. And it's becoming evident that Clearwater might not be fighting crime, but might be a criminal. What's a Bible Salesman to do?
This book reminded me of Flannery O'Conner and the Southern Gothic style, only a lot lighter and less vague. I enjoyed learning about Henry and his life and his choices. It really felt like a coming of age story, even though Henry was 20. Some people come of age a little later then others.
I had never heard of this author, but I think I will try another of his books because this one was an easy read with captivating characters.
But Henry is starting to really read his bible and is coming up with questions that no one seems to have an answer for. And it's becoming evident that Clearwater might not be fighting crime, but might be a criminal. What's a Bible Salesman to do?
This book reminded me of Flannery O'Conner and the Southern Gothic style, only a lot lighter and less vague. I enjoyed learning about Henry and his life and his choices. It really felt like a coming of age story, even though Henry was 20. Some people come of age a little later then others.
I had never heard of this author, but I think I will try another of his books because this one was an easy read with captivating characters.
October 11, 2009
I think David Sedaris is hilarious, but I should try to remember that whenever he blurbs a book as being the funniest thing he's ever read or whatever, I will at best find it quietly amusing. That was all right in the case of Jincy Willett's Jenny and the Jaws of Life--which, despite not being uproarious as Sedaris claims (it's actually kind of depressing), has other redeeming qualities, such as being really, really interesting. This book...not so much. It's an ambling Southern tale, set in the 1950s, and at times it is, indeed, sort of quietly amusing. There are also occasionally interesting ruminations on religion, but none of that really goes anywhere, nor do the periodic flashbacks build to much of anything. The whole thing had a sort of "huh" effect on me--I wasn't offended or anything, but I don't think I feel any different having read this book than I would have if I'd left it on the shelf.
December 9, 2008
Yow! I listened to this book on tape. The reader captured all the nuances of various Southern accents of the time (1930's,40's). I reccomend it on tape. This is the story of a naive country boy that sets out selling Bibles door to door to country folk. By chance he hooks up with a con artist/car theif that represents himself as an FBI agent that could use a reliable assistant. Throughout the course of the book the boy questions the meaning of the bible, the meaning of life and the true nature of his employer, the FBI agent. Short book, great read!
November 1, 2012
Lots of subtlety and scattered bits of humor dropped in. Henry is likeable in his cluelessness and I did root for him. In general it's a solid coming of age tale and the cat burial scene was pretty amusing. It was odd that this quick witted guy was the same naive guy. The plot was a little thin, the characters were a little thin. It all just felt a little flat to me, I was waiting for a big wow moment. I think I had higher expectations because I heard it was so funny and while there were many humorous parts, it wasn't enough to thrill me. But it's a solid read.
August 28, 2008
I couldn't get past the first 50. Simplistic-seeming tale of a young man who's trying to figure out the Bible and falls in with a car thief. A folksy, Southern snooze.
February 15, 2013
A fast, funny read, with quirky characters and situations. Pokes a little fun at religion, but gently, the same way it pokes fun at all our little human oddities.
June 23, 2019
I have read three books by Clyde Edgerton. They are similar but different, and each has been very enjoyable. I rate this just below The Floatplane Notebooks and Walking Across Egypt. This is a story of a twenty year old young man, Henry, and his growing up experience. He is naive in many ways. He is selling bibles door to door. He meets up with a man, Mr. Clearwater, who convinces Henry to help him working undercover for the FBI. The story which follows is quite a tale. It is enhanced by flashbacks to Henry’s childhood and biblical references are in included throughout the book. And will Henry’s life turn out as one would want for a Bible salesman? Will Henry survive this ordeal with Mr. Clearwater, which includes doing many illegal activities, but never realizing what is happening? Will he and Marleen, the girl he meets at a fruit stand, end up together? This is all worked out with some humor, and some suspense, and overall it is very entertaining to read.
April 12, 2017
Actually more like 2.5 stars. It was a little better than OK, but I won't be picking up anything more by Edgerton. I got this because of the blurb by David Sedaris (one of my favorite humor writers) which promised "a great comic novel." Sorry David, it was mildly amusing, but it did not engender laugh-out-loud guffaws or even faint chuckles. I did smile occasionally. That said, humor is tricky, so I would hesitate to condemn with faint praise. If you're looking for a comic novel do the "Look Inside" function and see if the style works for you.
April 10, 2022
A quaint little story set in 1950 North Carolina about an young bible salesman who gets tricked into joining a criminal carjacking enterprise. Through his faith, family and the characters he meets along the say, the young salesman realizes what's up and decides to make things right.
A quick read when you want an entertaining southern story.
A quick read when you want an entertaining southern story.
August 10, 2008
It's possible to get an advanced college degree in Old Testament. I know this because the daughter of a co-worker has decided to do just that.
The bible doesn't seem to be a good book that people can freely discuss without sharply contrasted and heated opinions with a measure of fear mixed in. Within this sacrosanct literature you will find confusing contradictions, shocking activities and lots of killing.
In his innocence the bible salesman poses some questions which I've found myself wondering about. Can we quiz that person with the Old Testament doctorate?
One might view The Bible Salesman as a metaphor for the drama that took place in the Garden of Eden. Innocence and evil intent do a rumba.
The draw of this book is innocence: A question posed by Henry at 9 years old to his Sunday school teacher after hearing that God rested on the seventh day: "How could somebody who is perfect get tired?", the dialog between 12 year old boys in their bedroom at night, and the presence of the popular Southern Gothic devise: the man-child. (Not one but two: Yancy with his goiter and Randy, the Yancy-double)
Like the snake fooled Adam and Eve into partaking in his evil plans, so does Preston Clearwater, a gangster, reel in the 20 year old bible salesman Henry to help him out in his mis-deeds which he claims to be undercover work for the FBI.
Henry, always meaning well and while unknowingly being used as a pawn for criminal activity, must contend with his maturing sexuality, bringing home the bacon, and his relationship with God.
Oh, and you might laugh at the "talking" cats. I did.
December 17, 2008
I think the author wanted to write a screenplay, except it was for a movie that you've already seen, but his would have included a lot of "Southern" sentimental moments that only vaguely connect to the story and are totally ineffective in building the characters into anything more than caricatures. I was actually annoyed from the preface on (more about the preface later), but it was a quick read so I just finished it anyway so I could get to the totally cheap, unsatisfying ending where the protagonist gets off scot free and nothing more is said except that some anonymous "colored boy" takes the rap. Yeah, it's that bad.
Also, the preface warns the reader about the Southern grammar in the book, that Southern grammar follows rules and so you better not judge it based on other rules, blah blah blah... as though no one has ever read "To Kill a Mockingbird" or any other novel with Southern characters. So, in sum, it's trying to be both folksy and condescending, and it about as unsuccessful at either as Sarah Palin. Yay!
Also, the preface warns the reader about the Southern grammar in the book, that Southern grammar follows rules and so you better not judge it based on other rules, blah blah blah... as though no one has ever read "To Kill a Mockingbird" or any other novel with Southern characters. So, in sum, it's trying to be both folksy and condescending, and it about as unsuccessful at either as Sarah Palin. Yay!
January 16, 2011
Synopsis: Henry Dampier is a 20-year-old naive Bible salesman traveling around the south when he is picked up by Mr. Clearwater, who claims to work for the FBI in the post-WWII era. His is allegedly infiltrating a car theft ring and using Henry to help him transport the stolen cars.
My Review: This book is a folksy story where everyone came across as a little dim-witted. As one review from Goodreads reads: "A dim religious doofus is conned by a murderous car thief in the South of the early fifties. Brief but pointless. The backstory parts as especially inessential, but really, there's just nothing on offer here." I'm not sure that I could put it any better myself.
My Review: This book is a folksy story where everyone came across as a little dim-witted. As one review from Goodreads reads: "A dim religious doofus is conned by a murderous car thief in the South of the early fifties. Brief but pointless. The backstory parts as especially inessential, but really, there's just nothing on offer here." I'm not sure that I could put it any better myself.
February 27, 2009
David Sedaris gave the book a great one line review, so I was hoping for more that I got in this book. I concluded Mr. Sedaris may have read only the first couple of chapters... It is a coming of age story about a young Bible salesman. He has many adventures in the rural south, including hooking up with a truly horrible criminal and loosing his virginity. He reads the Bible in a most literal way, and asks questions we Mormons would love to take a crack at answering, so that part was fun. Cleanly written - but could anyone really be that naive?
October 23, 2008
I expected more from this book because the premise sounded so interesting: an innocent young Bible salesman gets caught up in a car theft ring thinking that he's working undercover for the FBI. Frankly I got bored quickly of all the flashbacks that seemed to do nothing for the story line. Still, it was entertaining.
November 8, 2008
I had a hard time getting into the book, even though it's short! I don't know if it's because I just read a slew of super-plotty books or what. The characters were definitely interesting; Marleen cracked me up. Henry was very well drawn. But this was one of those times I was reading just to get to the end and not really enjoying the ride.
May 6, 2010
Though not my favorite of his novels (that distinction goes to Raney and Walking Across Egypt) I did find Edgerton's latest work vastly better than some of the others. Full of southern charm and humor, albeit a bit slow in places.
September 2, 2008
With a front-cover David Sedaris blurb, I expected high hilarity on the level of Raney. What I got was a mildly funny and entertaining novel, with an ending that seemed just a little too pat. I'm glad I read this, but it's not Clyde Edgerton's best effort.
September 30, 2008
I got it because David Sedaris said it was great. While I didn't laugh out loud at the part he loved, I did really enjoy it. Easy to read and an interesting look at southerners in the 1930's-50's. I loved the main character's fascination with Bible inconsistencies.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews