Boll Weevil

by James Radford

Boll Weevil is a lyrical portrait of a changing American South. A courtroom drama, a homecoming tale, a story about marriage, friendship, and responsibility, Boll Weevil is a picture of hope in hopeless political times.A brash young lawyer returns to his rural South Georgia hometown seeking to gain political foothold by challenging the long-standing County Commissioner for his seat. The young politician soon realizes how little he understands the place and people he seeks to represent. To win, he must first confront his own misapprehensions about a society from which he has long been separated. Second, he must overcome the brutal, desperate means deployed by those in power to maintain their hold.BOLL WEEVIL is a courtroom drama with strong themes of racial justice, in the vein of A TIME TO KILL by JOHN GRISHAM and PRAYING FOR SHEETROCK by MELISSA FAY GREENE. It is a homecoming story that both celebrates the rural South and exposes the darkness lurking there, in the vein of HILLBILLY ELEGY by J.D. VANCE or the graphic novel SOUTHERN BASTARDS by JASON AARON and JASON LATOUR.

304 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2019

About the author

In addition to his writing, James Radford is a practicing attorney and founding partner of Radford Scott LLP, a law firm focused on civil rights and employment litigation. He a 2003 graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law in Athens, Georgia. He lives with his family in Decatur, Georgia.

Reviews

[Matt Ezell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having spent most of my life living in the southeast, with a significant percentage of that being in rural Alabama, I found Boll Weevil to resonate with me. While not typically my ‘type of book’, once I started, I found it difficult to walk away. Between the character development and the rich storytelling, I found myself frequently pushing to squeeze in another page or two in order to find out what happens next.

If you’ve spent any time in a rural setting at all, whether that be as a resident or just passing through, you’re likely to be reminded of a character or two that you’ve met along the way (even the town of Goshen itself was one such character to me). While reading, I often found myself reflecting on the characters and their parallels with those I’ve known in real life over the years - making the story feel somewhat personal to me, and is something I’m guessing will register with others as well. As I assume was intended, some of the characters I loved, and some I hated - but I really can’t recall any that left me feeling indifferent (if anything, I can think of a few that I desired to know more about by the conclusion).

While trying to not give anything away, I personally found myself quickly drawn in by the overarching themes and subject matter of Boll Weevil. Somewhat in contrast, you have ‘tales as old as time’ (with their oft associated rural setting) playing out on the same stage as a “Brave New Frontier” story. While the story seems to intentionally avoid wandering into “visionary tale” territory, I believe that most readers will walk away feeling similarly to how I did - that in Boll Weevil, we’re reading the epitome of an increasingly common and arguably important story that we will be seeing play out in the news for years to come (colorful characters, controversy, and all..).

I thoroughly enjoyed Boll Weevil and hope to see more writing from Jamie Radford in the future!

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great contemporary read

Goshen county, Georgia, could use a new county commissioner, as times have changed, and it is now legal for farmers to invest in a new crop - marijuana. Daniel heeds the call of his long-time friend, Michael, and family in tow returns to his roots to run for office. Nice suspense, intriguing characters, and a setting in rural Georgia draws the reader into a satisfying read.

[Andrew Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice book. If you are interested in southern fiction or legal fiction this would be an excellent choice. Coming from the non metropolitan south I felt the characters rang true and authentic. The attention to detail by the author was appreciated. No spoiler, but I am hopeful we get to see the story carry on to a sequel.

[TB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two requirements for my down-time reading. It must be deep or funny and it must end well. I took Boll Weevil by @jamesradford on a weekend trip. It did not disappoint. It was a joy to read with a well resolved ending.

You will find someone familiar to you in this story. We know these characters. They are related to us or live near us. They are from our hometowns. They are us. It didn’t take me long to get invested. And all the big themes are in this story. Race is prominent, but not in a way I’m exhausted of reading about. Family and marriage are here, as the main characters are faced with what their obligations are to one another and to themselves. James wove together a story that touched on friendship, self-care, ego, and making the world a better place, all while keep me entertained. It didn’t hurt that he casually mentioned Kilo and Outkast. I’m impressed and I could not put it down until I finished it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boll Weevil is both compelling and very readable. I was immediately drawn into the lives of Daniel and Amber and the push and pull they felt to their small south Georgia hometown. So often the stories told about the "city boy moving back to the small town" race through the political and cultural obstacles in favor of a focus on place and relationships. Boll Weevil brings all of these into conversation to illuminate conflicts that are, on the one hand, specific to the dynamics of these characters and Goshen county but also to gentrifying communities across the country. The twists and turns of the plot not only made me want to keep reading but also maintained the sense of uneasiness that gives the novel its heart.

[Meisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite living in Atlanta for a decade, I've never spent any time in south Georgia, where this book took place. I found Radford's descriptions of the place and the people so vivid, I felt like I'd spent time in Goshen County (fictional) myself. The book captured my attention from the beginning and transported me into the world of dirty politics. It was an exciting read that was approachable, but still challenged me to think about aspects of politics that I've never considered before.
A great read!

[Nathan Nobis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this novel and really enjoyed it: very compelling characters and a moving, exciting story. When's the movie?

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Radford has a good story to tell and it is mostly all culturally accurate. The feeling of leaving a small south Georgia town and then returning to examine exactly who you were verse who you are now is one that only a true resident of small town's race, class, and poltics could understand. However, there is one area that I think Radford should have reached out for help. His assessment of the black community in the small town does not reflect what I know to be true. They would have had their own leaders, must have had their own leaders to get them through any type of cultural and political setting in South Ga.
When Daniel seems to not know what would have happened when he steps foot FOR THE FIRST TIME in South Goshen means he did NOT truly grow up there. His best friend was black. He would have known. He would have lived his entire life knowing what their lives were like in comparison to his.
Don't write a book about race without first consulting the opposite race. Radford dares too much and it reeks of white privilege.
And say this as a white girl, who loves rap, and had/has friends of all color. I just don't think I could in good faith tell that side of the story without help and apology

Otherwise, I liked the book and it made me ponder what my own "small town living" story will be...

[Gretchen D'Huyvetter Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boll Weevil is an earnest and engaging portrait of a young white attorney who returns to his small southern hometown in order to chase his dreams. Through vivid language and interesting characters, the book explores themes of race, marriage, power, and corruption with both nuance and humor. This debut novel is an enjoyable read and I’m happy to recommend it!