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Penn Cage #7
Southern Man
Fifteen years after the events of the Natchez Burning trilogy, Penn Cage is alone. Nearly all his loved ones are dead, his old allies gone, and he carries a mortal secret that separates him from the world. But Penn’s exile comes to an end when a brawl at a Mississippi rap festival triggers a bloody mass shooting—one that nearly takes the life of his daughter Annie.
As the stunned cities of Natchez and Bienville reel, antebellum plantation homes continue to burn and the deadly attacks are claimed by a Black radical group as historic acts of justice. Panic sweeps through the tourist communities, driving them inexorably toward a race war.
But what might have been only a regional sideshow of the 2024 Presidential election explodes into national prominence, thanks to the stunning ascent of Robert E. Lee White, a Southern war hero who seizes the public imagination as a third-party candidate. Dubbed “the Tik-Tok Man,” and funded by an eccentric Mississippi billionaire, Bobby White rides the glory of his Special Forces record to an unprecedented run at the White House—one unseen since the campaign of H. Ross Perot.
To triumph over the national party machines, Bobby evolves a plan of unimaginable daring. One fateful autumn weekend, with White set to declare his candidacy in all fifty states, the forces polarizing America line up against one another: Black vs. white, states vs. the federal government, democracy vs. Fascism. Teaming with his fearless daughter (now a civil rights lawyer) and a former Black Panther who spent most of his life in Parchman Prison, Penn tears into Bobby White’s pursuit of the Presidency and ultimately risks a second Civil War to try to expose its motivation to the world, before the America of our Constitution slides into the abyss.
In Southern Man, Greg Iles returns to the riveting style and historic depth that made the Natchez Burning trilogy a searing masterpiece and hurls the narrative fifteen years forward into our current moment—where America itself teeters on the brink of anarchy.
As the stunned cities of Natchez and Bienville reel, antebellum plantation homes continue to burn and the deadly attacks are claimed by a Black radical group as historic acts of justice. Panic sweeps through the tourist communities, driving them inexorably toward a race war.
But what might have been only a regional sideshow of the 2024 Presidential election explodes into national prominence, thanks to the stunning ascent of Robert E. Lee White, a Southern war hero who seizes the public imagination as a third-party candidate. Dubbed “the Tik-Tok Man,” and funded by an eccentric Mississippi billionaire, Bobby White rides the glory of his Special Forces record to an unprecedented run at the White House—one unseen since the campaign of H. Ross Perot.
To triumph over the national party machines, Bobby evolves a plan of unimaginable daring. One fateful autumn weekend, with White set to declare his candidacy in all fifty states, the forces polarizing America line up against one another: Black vs. white, states vs. the federal government, democracy vs. Fascism. Teaming with his fearless daughter (now a civil rights lawyer) and a former Black Panther who spent most of his life in Parchman Prison, Penn tears into Bobby White’s pursuit of the Presidency and ultimately risks a second Civil War to try to expose its motivation to the world, before the America of our Constitution slides into the abyss.
In Southern Man, Greg Iles returns to the riveting style and historic depth that made the Natchez Burning trilogy a searing masterpiece and hurls the narrative fifteen years forward into our current moment—where America itself teeters on the brink of anarchy.
966 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2024
2929 people are currently reading
16994 people want to read
About the author
Greg Iles
123 books7,223 followersGreg Iles spent most of his life in Natchez, Mississippi. His first novel, Spandau
Phoenix, was the first of seventeen New York Times bestsellers. His Natchez
Burning trilogy continued the story of Penn Cage, the protagonist of The Quiet Game,
Turning Angel, and #1 New York Times bestseller The Devil’s Punchbowl. Iles’s novels have been made into films and published in more than thirty-five countries. He was a
member of the lit-rock group The Rock Bottom Remainders.
Phoenix, was the first of seventeen New York Times bestsellers. His Natchez
Burning trilogy continued the story of Penn Cage, the protagonist of The Quiet Game,
Turning Angel, and #1 New York Times bestseller The Devil’s Punchbowl. Iles’s novels have been made into films and published in more than thirty-five countries. He was a
member of the lit-rock group The Rock Bottom Remainders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,078 reviews
June 1, 2024
I would give it zero stars if I could.
I've loved this author since Black Cross and Spandau Phoenix; the Mississippi Series with Penn Cage became a favorite and I anxiously awaited each installment.
I pre-ordered this from a local indie dealer back in November of 22 and waited so patiently (not😊). Like many of John Geisham's novels, both of Harper Lee's novel, Nancy Klann-Moren'sThe Clock of Life and David Baldacci's A Calamity of Souls; the first six books in this series made you think. We've come a long way since the middle of the 20th century and while we need to make more progress this novel seems to think that we're getting worse.
The novel is so full of vitriol and hate that's it's like watching The View, CNN, MSNBC, etc. There are people in this country that want to get along with everyone but not according to the views in this book.. I've always known that the author leaned left but it appears now that he gone so far to the left that he can no longer think outside the talking points that he hears from alk the sources I've already mentioned and probably his liberal friends.
I spent over $25 on a book that is the worse book since the Mitchell estate authorized Scarlett to be published. Like Scarlett, Iles' has turned Penn Cage into a caricature of a character I no longer want to know.
He was one of less than a handful of authors I'd preorder, now he's gone.
I've loved this author since Black Cross and Spandau Phoenix; the Mississippi Series with Penn Cage became a favorite and I anxiously awaited each installment.
I pre-ordered this from a local indie dealer back in November of 22 and waited so patiently (not😊). Like many of John Geisham's novels, both of Harper Lee's novel, Nancy Klann-Moren'sThe Clock of Life and David Baldacci's A Calamity of Souls; the first six books in this series made you think. We've come a long way since the middle of the 20th century and while we need to make more progress this novel seems to think that we're getting worse.
The novel is so full of vitriol and hate that's it's like watching The View, CNN, MSNBC, etc. There are people in this country that want to get along with everyone but not according to the views in this book.. I've always known that the author leaned left but it appears now that he gone so far to the left that he can no longer think outside the talking points that he hears from alk the sources I've already mentioned and probably his liberal friends.
I spent over $25 on a book that is the worse book since the Mitchell estate authorized Scarlett to be published. Like Scarlett, Iles' has turned Penn Cage into a caricature of a character I no longer want to know.
He was one of less than a handful of authors I'd preorder, now he's gone.
February 19, 2024
I’m a retired librarian, and I read a LOT of books. Over the years, two of my favorite genres seem to have been “Southern Gothic “and “Mystery/thriller” and finding authors who combine the two is AWESOME. Greg Iles has been a favorite, and while I haven’t totally loved every single one of his books, I have truly enjoyed the Penn Cage series, particularly Natchez Burning (2014), The Bone Tree (2015), and Mississippi Blood (2017). I was excited to get an advance copy of Southern Man, #7 in the Penn Cage novels (thank you, William Morrow and NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.
From the jump, I have to say WOW! I excitedly sat down with my Kindle several days ago, unaware of much about Southern Man other than that it was the next in the series. I had no clue about things like when the story took place, how long the book was, and how closely the events in it matched today’s political/social scene in the U.S. About the length: it is LONG. I was reading for a couple of days and noticed I was only like 11% through, so I just had to look and see how long it really was. When I saw the print version was NINE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SIX PAGES, I was equally surprised (can it really hold my attention for that long?) and excited (I hope it keeps being as good as it already is). Spoiler: It did and it was.
The story takes place TODAY. So, it is set fifteen years after the “Natchez Burning Trilogy,” and wow have things changed for Penn. He has gone into a sort of self-imposed isolation now that he is dealing with serious health issues and the loss of nearly all his loved ones, other than his daughter Annie (now all grown up, and an attorney herself), whose work focuses on civil rights issues. Early in the book, the way the story matches today’s reality is clear: there is talk about a Trump rally: “Even the dumbest Republican advisers have figured out the skinny on the next election. There’s only one way they win. White Panic.” In case anyone isn’t clear about the state of racial harmony, “…where race in America was concerned, the twenty-first century might soon make 1965 look like a warm-up bout…”
As I was reading, I was struck by how the intensity of the words on the page matched today’s headlines. “…businessmen voted for a repeat bankrupt…evangelicals for a serial adulterer, women for an admitted sexual assaulter, patriots for a draft dodger…educated men for an ignoramus. But they did so with fierce gladness in their hearts. Because what their chosen one had done was open Pandora’s box—yes, the old one, filled with…race hatred and infinite greed…all their anger was justified.”
The action gets going when there is a shooting at a concert, followed by the burning of several antebellum mansions and increasingly large demonstrations. “Their signs demand to know whether black lives matter, when, sadly, the nation has answered that question many times over.” It is tense, and unsettling. Iles reminds us that “Since 2016, we’ve all been living through a great unraveling of the America in which we came of age…That’s what this Trump thing has done…shown that the true white tribe’s got nothing to do with geography. Not really. It’s a blood thing.”
So Penn (along with everyone else in Bienville) finds chaos all around, including the murder of his best friend by a sheriff’s deputy right on the street in broad daylight. The protests continue to grow, arsonists continue to burn buildings, and the racial warfare erupts to the point that the racially divided city government dissolves and activists (often known as “outside agitators”) come to town.
It’s a LOT. I loved the writing, and loved being so drawn in to the story that I did not want to put it down…but I kept having to take breaks because it was so unsettling. It mixes the themes of race, class, family, and morality and takes a deep look at the way complicated individuals react as their whole history and approach to living in today’s world threaten to completely come apart.
I kept making so many involuntary exclamations while reading that my husband just had to dive in as well. He was (if possible) even more enthralled than I was. HIGHLY recommended. Five stars for sure, and I’m hoping that Mr. Iles’ health issues (mirroring Penn’s) benefit from the new treatments available for MM, and he continues to entertain and inform us.
From the jump, I have to say WOW! I excitedly sat down with my Kindle several days ago, unaware of much about Southern Man other than that it was the next in the series. I had no clue about things like when the story took place, how long the book was, and how closely the events in it matched today’s political/social scene in the U.S. About the length: it is LONG. I was reading for a couple of days and noticed I was only like 11% through, so I just had to look and see how long it really was. When I saw the print version was NINE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SIX PAGES, I was equally surprised (can it really hold my attention for that long?) and excited (I hope it keeps being as good as it already is). Spoiler: It did and it was.
The story takes place TODAY. So, it is set fifteen years after the “Natchez Burning Trilogy,” and wow have things changed for Penn. He has gone into a sort of self-imposed isolation now that he is dealing with serious health issues and the loss of nearly all his loved ones, other than his daughter Annie (now all grown up, and an attorney herself), whose work focuses on civil rights issues. Early in the book, the way the story matches today’s reality is clear: there is talk about a Trump rally: “Even the dumbest Republican advisers have figured out the skinny on the next election. There’s only one way they win. White Panic.” In case anyone isn’t clear about the state of racial harmony, “…where race in America was concerned, the twenty-first century might soon make 1965 look like a warm-up bout…”
As I was reading, I was struck by how the intensity of the words on the page matched today’s headlines. “…businessmen voted for a repeat bankrupt…evangelicals for a serial adulterer, women for an admitted sexual assaulter, patriots for a draft dodger…educated men for an ignoramus. But they did so with fierce gladness in their hearts. Because what their chosen one had done was open Pandora’s box—yes, the old one, filled with…race hatred and infinite greed…all their anger was justified.”
The action gets going when there is a shooting at a concert, followed by the burning of several antebellum mansions and increasingly large demonstrations. “Their signs demand to know whether black lives matter, when, sadly, the nation has answered that question many times over.” It is tense, and unsettling. Iles reminds us that “Since 2016, we’ve all been living through a great unraveling of the America in which we came of age…That’s what this Trump thing has done…shown that the true white tribe’s got nothing to do with geography. Not really. It’s a blood thing.”
So Penn (along with everyone else in Bienville) finds chaos all around, including the murder of his best friend by a sheriff’s deputy right on the street in broad daylight. The protests continue to grow, arsonists continue to burn buildings, and the racial warfare erupts to the point that the racially divided city government dissolves and activists (often known as “outside agitators”) come to town.
It’s a LOT. I loved the writing, and loved being so drawn in to the story that I did not want to put it down…but I kept having to take breaks because it was so unsettling. It mixes the themes of race, class, family, and morality and takes a deep look at the way complicated individuals react as their whole history and approach to living in today’s world threaten to completely come apart.
I kept making so many involuntary exclamations while reading that my husband just had to dive in as well. He was (if possible) even more enthralled than I was. HIGHLY recommended. Five stars for sure, and I’m hoping that Mr. Iles’ health issues (mirroring Penn’s) benefit from the new treatments available for MM, and he continues to entertain and inform us.
June 5, 2024
Couldn’t stay with it, very hard to wade through all the history and cultural references piled in. Way overdone. Author obviously hates the Republican party, makes them into violent racists from top to bottom, not believable even for fiction. Seems to love liberal politics, makes all of them angels and heroes. Fine to have good guys and bad guys, even fine to display your own political views. Not a good book if just creates a story to villainize those who don’t agree with you. Too much of that nonsense in the world already.
May 31, 2024
I love the Penn Cage series, but can't finish this one. WAY to political for me. Sorry, Greg.
June 5, 2024
I tried several times but couldn’t finish the book. First time ever I’ve asked for a refund on any book. It was as if this great story line took a backseat to Greg’s need to check every possible box related to his political views. I realize that he no longer needs to grow his audience or bank account, but based on the comments and reviews, he has intentionally lost half of both on this book. There are endless media sources out there if I wanted to be preached to about right or left leaning political opinions. I don’t need that in the many novels that I read. Please do better Greg.
May 5, 2024
I started to read this, excited as I’d been a big fan of the earlier Penn Cage novels by Greg Iles. They were well constructed and exciting thrillers set in the South of the USA.
The Natchez Burning trilogy was excellent and I was disappointed when I got to the end of the series.
I don’t know what it was about this one, maybe because I’m English and I just couldn’t get into the politics of Southern Man, maybe it was because the politics really slowed down the narrative, maybe I really didn’t care about the characters but I got to about a third of the way through and I just had to give up. I was forcing myself to pick up the book and that is not a good sign, particularly in a book running to 900 pages.
I’m sure many readers will love the novel, but I did not. It was quite depressing both in subject matter and even the character of Penn himself was not the same as the one I remembered from the earlier trilogy.
When I read a thriller I just don’t want to read about the author’s politics and what is actually happening in the world today. I read for escapism and I was not getting it with this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
The Natchez Burning trilogy was excellent and I was disappointed when I got to the end of the series.
I don’t know what it was about this one, maybe because I’m English and I just couldn’t get into the politics of Southern Man, maybe it was because the politics really slowed down the narrative, maybe I really didn’t care about the characters but I got to about a third of the way through and I just had to give up. I was forcing myself to pick up the book and that is not a good sign, particularly in a book running to 900 pages.
I’m sure many readers will love the novel, but I did not. It was quite depressing both in subject matter and even the character of Penn himself was not the same as the one I remembered from the earlier trilogy.
When I read a thriller I just don’t want to read about the author’s politics and what is actually happening in the world today. I read for escapism and I was not getting it with this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
June 13, 2024
An absolute "Humdinger" of a novel. Vintage Penn Cage all the way. Politics? Yes, but so much more along the way.
February 9, 2024
A few years ago, I came across the Penn Cage series. I was immediately invested in the series. This series will pull you in from the start.
This is book number 7 in the series and it was interesting to see the parallels of what's going on weigh the world today. Pen is investigating burnings of antebellum homes, which are homes that are constructed before the Civil War. This was an intense book but long book. The fact that it's such a long book didn't prevent me from reading it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is book number 7 in the series and it was interesting to see the parallels of what's going on weigh the world today. Pen is investigating burnings of antebellum homes, which are homes that are constructed before the Civil War. This was an intense book but long book. The fact that it's such a long book didn't prevent me from reading it in 2 days. I couldn't put it down.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 21, 2024
I’m Sorry I Read This Book!
I’ve been a very big fan of Greg Iles since reading his first book in 1995 and have enjoyed all of his subsequent books. Prior to starting Southern Man (Iles first book in seven years), my feeling was that if Iles wrote it, I’d read it. Sadly, having just finished It, my dissatisfaction was so strong, that I’m unlikely to want to read any future books by him…even if his poor health allows him to write another book.
Here are just some of my reasons for disliking Southern Man:
At 970 pages long, it might have been more enjoyable if it was at least 50% shorter.
It was too convoluted due to the many sub-stories Iles tried to tell ranging back and forth in time periods.
The plot moved along at a slow pace without much sustained excitement for a long way into its 970 pages, and when the excitement and action picks up in the last 150 pages or so, it seriously strains credulity.
Having been a big fan of the main character, Penn Cage, he (without giving reasons why to avoid possible “spoilers”) lost all credibility for me.
Iles let his very heavily ultra left-wing political views, as well as his obsessive hatred for Donald Trump, permeate throughout the book; making it seem more like a platform for Iles to rant rather than to tell an entertaining, exciting thriller.
In addition to his one-sided political views, Iles created an overly slanted portrait of racism in the South since prior to the Civil War in which it seems that almost all Whites in the South — with the exception of Penn Cage and his family and close friends — are racists. I am not suggesting that racism — among both Whites and Blacks — doesn’t exist, it just came across as more overtly divisive than it actually is.
My above reasons for dissatisfaction doesn’t mean that there weren’t parts of Southern Man that I Iiked and felt were well-written. These favorable aspects for me, however, were far outweighed by the points cited above.
I’ve been a very big fan of Greg Iles since reading his first book in 1995 and have enjoyed all of his subsequent books. Prior to starting Southern Man (Iles first book in seven years), my feeling was that if Iles wrote it, I’d read it. Sadly, having just finished It, my dissatisfaction was so strong, that I’m unlikely to want to read any future books by him…even if his poor health allows him to write another book.
Here are just some of my reasons for disliking Southern Man:
At 970 pages long, it might have been more enjoyable if it was at least 50% shorter.
It was too convoluted due to the many sub-stories Iles tried to tell ranging back and forth in time periods.
The plot moved along at a slow pace without much sustained excitement for a long way into its 970 pages, and when the excitement and action picks up in the last 150 pages or so, it seriously strains credulity.
Having been a big fan of the main character, Penn Cage, he (without giving reasons why to avoid possible “spoilers”) lost all credibility for me.
Iles let his very heavily ultra left-wing political views, as well as his obsessive hatred for Donald Trump, permeate throughout the book; making it seem more like a platform for Iles to rant rather than to tell an entertaining, exciting thriller.
In addition to his one-sided political views, Iles created an overly slanted portrait of racism in the South since prior to the Civil War in which it seems that almost all Whites in the South — with the exception of Penn Cage and his family and close friends — are racists. I am not suggesting that racism — among both Whites and Blacks — doesn’t exist, it just came across as more overtly divisive than it actually is.
My above reasons for dissatisfaction doesn’t mean that there weren’t parts of Southern Man that I Iiked and felt were well-written. These favorable aspects for me, however, were far outweighed by the points cited above.
July 7, 2024
For unknown technical reasons, the original review was deleted, so this will serve as a replacement....
I became a fan of Greg's writing when I read Natchez Burning Once finished I completed the rest of the the trilogy, all Penn Cage stories and just about every book he'd written. That said, this is by FAR the weakest, most predictable of any of them.
We find Penn years later in Bienville, MS at his mother's death bed and learn he wears a prosthetic foot, and is afflicted with the same cancer, though his symptoms are less severe. His daughter Annie is a civil rights attorney working for Quentin Avery's wife and like her father, has a 'take no prisoners' persona. While attending a rap concert, a mass shooting of black concert goers wreaks havoc; Annie's life is saved by Bobby White, renown for assassinating an Afghani terrorist leader while in the military. He's also running as a third party candidate for President, and his popularity is skyrocketing via social media. As the plot unfolds we learn Bobby isn't what he seems and is the classic 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. Deceptive, ruthless, immoral and conniving, it makes my skin crawl thinking about the character.
Soon after the shooting, a rash of Bienville antebellum homes are torched, and all fingers point at the black community. Sheriff Tarlton, a racist type has ties to Bobby and billionaire Charles Dufort, the epitome of right wing wealth. With each step, predictability grows while momentum slows (not bad since I'm not a poet, LOL)
At nearly a thousand pages, it takes skill to keep readers engaged. For some reason Greg found it necessary to recap previous novels, add copious research done by Penn's mother, then regurgitates it in dialog. This bogs down the pace, disrupts focus and does little to help a predictable plot line.
In my humble opinion, its FAR too long, and not at all what you'd expect from a high velocity mystery author. I feel the story's lackluster plot unworthy of sharing and as you might imagine, cannot recommend it even to die hard Iles fans like myself. This pitch not only missed the plate, it wasn't even close
I became a fan of Greg's writing when I read Natchez Burning Once finished I completed the rest of the the trilogy, all Penn Cage stories and just about every book he'd written. That said, this is by FAR the weakest, most predictable of any of them.
We find Penn years later in Bienville, MS at his mother's death bed and learn he wears a prosthetic foot, and is afflicted with the same cancer, though his symptoms are less severe. His daughter Annie is a civil rights attorney working for Quentin Avery's wife and like her father, has a 'take no prisoners' persona. While attending a rap concert, a mass shooting of black concert goers wreaks havoc; Annie's life is saved by Bobby White, renown for assassinating an Afghani terrorist leader while in the military. He's also running as a third party candidate for President, and his popularity is skyrocketing via social media. As the plot unfolds we learn Bobby isn't what he seems and is the classic 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. Deceptive, ruthless, immoral and conniving, it makes my skin crawl thinking about the character.
Soon after the shooting, a rash of Bienville antebellum homes are torched, and all fingers point at the black community. Sheriff Tarlton, a racist type has ties to Bobby and billionaire Charles Dufort, the epitome of right wing wealth. With each step, predictability grows while momentum slows (not bad since I'm not a poet, LOL)
At nearly a thousand pages, it takes skill to keep readers engaged. For some reason Greg found it necessary to recap previous novels, add copious research done by Penn's mother, then regurgitates it in dialog. This bogs down the pace, disrupts focus and does little to help a predictable plot line.
In my humble opinion, its FAR too long, and not at all what you'd expect from a high velocity mystery author. I feel the story's lackluster plot unworthy of sharing and as you might imagine, cannot recommend it even to die hard Iles fans like myself. This pitch not only missed the plate, it wasn't even close
June 19, 2024
This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. It has been fifteen years since we have had a Penn Cage adventure. We pick up this book after this long time frame. In this one we have an incident that ignites a race war in our beloved town in the South. Penn Cage finds himself in the middle of it as he races to settle down the tensions between races.
I know that the year is only half over but I am declaring this is the most ambitious and intense book that I will read this year. My summary is incomplete as there is so much that the author tackles which is typical of a Greg Iles novel. We tackle grief, our ancestry, political drama, choice of loved ones and conspiracy. This is all the background of a book that is about the South and race relations. Oh yeah. Put in plenty of explosive action and that is the recipe for this book. Like I said there is a lot in this one. As if that was not enough this book not only captures the spirit of today but we also a flashback story. This flashback story tells about slavery during the time of the Civil War and how slaves were treated during this time. It also tells how fortunes were made as a result of this practice. This book is not to be taken lightly and is a commitment as it is just under one thousand pages. Even with this vast number of pages it never felt like it as I was enthralled by the story. Then why not five stars? There were a couple of minor flaws. One is that with the author attempting to tackle so many issues some of them did not land for me. Another flaw is that I felt like the author let his own political views come into play here. I understand why as it added realism to the story. I believe that is why I did not care for it as I read for escapism. I felt like it was a personal diatribe from the author. I was not personally offended by it but I can see why this will affect many readers.
This is one of those books that will stay with me for a very long time. It encapsulates the zeitgeist of today while also delving into the past. There is so much more to this book too. I know I have said many aspects of what this book is about but I also know I am forgetting so much more. I could go on like saying it is about family or about something simple like doing the right thing. Basically this novel has layer over layer that kept me reading and interested throughout. Essentially it is a book that I come to expect from this author and one more book that I enjoy so much from this author.
I know that the year is only half over but I am declaring this is the most ambitious and intense book that I will read this year. My summary is incomplete as there is so much that the author tackles which is typical of a Greg Iles novel. We tackle grief, our ancestry, political drama, choice of loved ones and conspiracy. This is all the background of a book that is about the South and race relations. Oh yeah. Put in plenty of explosive action and that is the recipe for this book. Like I said there is a lot in this one. As if that was not enough this book not only captures the spirit of today but we also a flashback story. This flashback story tells about slavery during the time of the Civil War and how slaves were treated during this time. It also tells how fortunes were made as a result of this practice. This book is not to be taken lightly and is a commitment as it is just under one thousand pages. Even with this vast number of pages it never felt like it as I was enthralled by the story. Then why not five stars? There were a couple of minor flaws. One is that with the author attempting to tackle so many issues some of them did not land for me. Another flaw is that I felt like the author let his own political views come into play here. I understand why as it added realism to the story. I believe that is why I did not care for it as I read for escapism. I felt like it was a personal diatribe from the author. I was not personally offended by it but I can see why this will affect many readers.
This is one of those books that will stay with me for a very long time. It encapsulates the zeitgeist of today while also delving into the past. There is so much more to this book too. I know I have said many aspects of what this book is about but I also know I am forgetting so much more. I could go on like saying it is about family or about something simple like doing the right thing. Basically this novel has layer over layer that kept me reading and interested throughout. Essentially it is a book that I come to expect from this author and one more book that I enjoy so much from this author.
July 23, 2024
Yet another former favorite author who can’t control his Trump Derangement Syndrome. Penn Cage is unrecognisable from his previous books, and I don’t need any political opinions shoved down my throat from an author that I used to read for pleasure. Sorry, Greg, I’m out.
June 3, 2024
Trump hating windbag.
June 9, 2024
I usually love his books. I knew going in this was political, but I couldn't deal with it. I didn't finish it because I felt it forced politics too much for me.
June 25, 2024
Worst book Greg Iies has written!
I have always enjoyed the Penn Cage series. I never would have purchased this book if I had known Greg Files was a bleeding liberal. If you are a supporter of Trump MAGA , do not read this book. Greg does a hatchet job on Trump. The book is all about race and slavery. It's been over 200 years and no one alive has personally known a slave. The book supports CRT.
I have always enjoyed the Penn Cage series. I never would have purchased this book if I had known Greg Files was a bleeding liberal. If you are a supporter of Trump MAGA , do not read this book. Greg does a hatchet job on Trump. The book is all about race and slavery. It's been over 200 years and no one alive has personally known a slave. The book supports CRT.
June 2, 2024
I was so excited for Greg Iles’, Southern Man to make its debut. I have loved every single book of his that I’ve read. Until this one. It was 970 pages of preaching, piety, and politics. Way too long. He could have told the story in half the number of pages, if he hadn’t felt the need to deliver a political sermon. The characters were like paper dolls, no depth. They were, for the most part, all good or all bad. And the writing was redundant! Did I really need to hear about someone’s loose bowels in every conflict, (of which there were many)? The ending was really hard to believe, as well.
The most interesting part of the book , for me, was when Iles described a community based on the homes of renowned Louisiana architect, A. Hays Town. Years ago, I actually called Mr. Town to see if he was still designing houses. I got his housekeeper on the phone and she said in the thickest southern accent, “Honey, he’s in his nineties (he eventually died at 101) and unable to work anymore.” But she kindly gave me his son, A. Hays Town, Jr.’s phone number and said I might talk to him. So, I called the number and got junior’s wife and another lilting southern accent. Mr. Town’s wife told me that her husband was an architect and he designed homes in the style of his “faaah-tha”. She gave me his work number at A. Hays Town and Associates of Baton Rouge, I called and Mr. Town invited Scott and me to meet with him at his office to discuss plans for a house. We drove down to Baton Rouge and a year later we had A. Hays Town, Jr. house plans.
Anyway, maybe you’ll like this book better than I did. For me, it was much too dark, too long, too political and lacked the excitement of Iles previous books.
The most interesting part of the book , for me, was when Iles described a community based on the homes of renowned Louisiana architect, A. Hays Town. Years ago, I actually called Mr. Town to see if he was still designing houses. I got his housekeeper on the phone and she said in the thickest southern accent, “Honey, he’s in his nineties (he eventually died at 101) and unable to work anymore.” But she kindly gave me his son, A. Hays Town, Jr.’s phone number and said I might talk to him. So, I called the number and got junior’s wife and another lilting southern accent. Mr. Town’s wife told me that her husband was an architect and he designed homes in the style of his “faaah-tha”. She gave me his work number at A. Hays Town and Associates of Baton Rouge, I called and Mr. Town invited Scott and me to meet with him at his office to discuss plans for a house. We drove down to Baton Rouge and a year later we had A. Hays Town, Jr. house plans.
Anyway, maybe you’ll like this book better than I did. For me, it was much too dark, too long, too political and lacked the excitement of Iles previous books.
June 2, 2024
I am a big fan of Greg Iles. I think I have read literally every one of his other books, not just the Penn Cage series. However, this book was not in line with the others in the series or his other works for that matter.
June 30, 2024
Way too much politics for me!
Greg Iles is a gifted writer… I’ve enjoyed all his books. But instead of an escape from the incessant politics we deal with every day, I was knee deep for 900 pages.
Greg Iles is a gifted writer… I’ve enjoyed all his books. But instead of an escape from the incessant politics we deal with every day, I was knee deep for 900 pages.
June 13, 2024
I have several things to say about this book. I hope that I can put down my thoughts in a cogent and thoughtful way.
I was truly looking forward to this recent saga of Penn Cage. I was left a little disappointed after Mississippi Blood, and I was hoping this new novel would be back to the higher standard that I had come to enjoy in this series. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
I really do not want to get into politics, but it is virtually unavoidable with this book. Greg Iles has commented that he is surprised at the criticism his book is receiving. He also states that everyone should know that Penn and Tom Cage were liberals and therefore moral men. Of course, they would hate Trump and his supporters. And as far as that goes, that is true. I do not see them being fans of Donald Trump. As for morality, forgive me, but Penn was a prosecutor who sent men to death row. He carries guns and has shot a few men as I recall. Tom was unfaithful to his wife. I do not judge them for that and it made for good reading. But to imply that liberalism is akin to morality is a bit much. Personally, I feel Greg knew exactly what he was doing when he decided to piss off half his readers. It would cause controversy and the cacophony would help sell books. Whether that is a wise strategy, I leave it to the public to decide.
But it was not the just the incessant one dimensional political slant of the book that diminished it for me. Although at times, it made it hard to focus on the story. Instead of reading nonstop as I usually do, I had to put it down and walk away from it for a bit. It was as if he used every tired trope and stereotype of white supremacists and applied them to conservatives/non-liberals as a whole. It was disappointing. And sort of lazy. I realize it is a work of fiction, but it has to be grounded in some version of reality to be believable.
No, it was the evolution of Penn himself that bothered me. We are asked to believe that Penn for all the time that we have known him has been dying-that he has been suffering from some immutable form of blood cancer. Seriously? When I think of all the physical trauma that Penn has been through over the years-when he was injected with heroin by Cyrus-and just now it comes to life? Sorry, I find that implausible in the extreme. It seems as if Greg was taking his own recent health problems and projecting them into Penn. The loss of his leg was a little lame (excuse the pun), but I could live with that.
Miss Peggy's wish to be buried under a tree instead of next to Tom was hard to accept. I cannot imagine anything that she discovered about her ancestry would change her that much. And besides, Penn already has an integrated family. He has a black half-brother.
Some good things.
I thought Bobby White was an interesting villain. He was totally amoral and obviously did not care how he achieved his goal as long as it was achieved. Politics is a dirty business-no matter what side you are on.
Kendrick, Doc and Ray are solid characters and flow well with Bobby's mania.
I love history. I believe it is there for us to learn from and not be torn down or rewritten to suit one agenda or another. I find it remarkable that people today seem to think it is okay to judge life in the past from today's perspective. I like a lot the history in this book, but again it is presented a bit one sided and not altogether honestly. Captain Pencarrow was a product of the times and his upbringing. He most likely hated slavery, but at the same time was a slave to the institution.
Again, I realize that the presentation of historical facts are suited to the characters' view of it. I just wish it were a bit more balanced. Not every non liberal is a racist, just as not every liberal is a member of ANTIFA. ::laughs::I won't even get into fascism which seems to be thrown around by both sides without a true understanding of the word.
Most of all, I loved seeing Daniel Kelly in the book. He has been a favorite of mine since the beginning. He is honest and without remorse for who he is. Damned sexy, too. ::smiles::
In closing, this was not my favorite book. I am sad that I did not like the book as much as I hoped. I have truly enjoyed reading Greg Iles books over the years and hope to continue to do so. I hope that perhaps one more Penn Cage novel is in the works. I would like to read about Penn's son.
And we are talking about this book, which as I said in my opening...was most likely the original intent.
I was truly looking forward to this recent saga of Penn Cage. I was left a little disappointed after Mississippi Blood, and I was hoping this new novel would be back to the higher standard that I had come to enjoy in this series. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
I really do not want to get into politics, but it is virtually unavoidable with this book. Greg Iles has commented that he is surprised at the criticism his book is receiving. He also states that everyone should know that Penn and Tom Cage were liberals and therefore moral men. Of course, they would hate Trump and his supporters. And as far as that goes, that is true. I do not see them being fans of Donald Trump. As for morality, forgive me, but Penn was a prosecutor who sent men to death row. He carries guns and has shot a few men as I recall. Tom was unfaithful to his wife. I do not judge them for that and it made for good reading. But to imply that liberalism is akin to morality is a bit much. Personally, I feel Greg knew exactly what he was doing when he decided to piss off half his readers. It would cause controversy and the cacophony would help sell books. Whether that is a wise strategy, I leave it to the public to decide.
But it was not the just the incessant one dimensional political slant of the book that diminished it for me. Although at times, it made it hard to focus on the story. Instead of reading nonstop as I usually do, I had to put it down and walk away from it for a bit. It was as if he used every tired trope and stereotype of white supremacists and applied them to conservatives/non-liberals as a whole. It was disappointing. And sort of lazy. I realize it is a work of fiction, but it has to be grounded in some version of reality to be believable.
No, it was the evolution of Penn himself that bothered me. We are asked to believe that Penn for all the time that we have known him has been dying-that he has been suffering from some immutable form of blood cancer. Seriously? When I think of all the physical trauma that Penn has been through over the years-when he was injected with heroin by Cyrus-and just now it comes to life? Sorry, I find that implausible in the extreme. It seems as if Greg was taking his own recent health problems and projecting them into Penn. The loss of his leg was a little lame (excuse the pun), but I could live with that.
Miss Peggy's wish to be buried under a tree instead of next to Tom was hard to accept. I cannot imagine anything that she discovered about her ancestry would change her that much. And besides, Penn already has an integrated family. He has a black half-brother.
Some good things.
I thought Bobby White was an interesting villain. He was totally amoral and obviously did not care how he achieved his goal as long as it was achieved. Politics is a dirty business-no matter what side you are on.
Kendrick, Doc and Ray are solid characters and flow well with Bobby's mania.
I love history. I believe it is there for us to learn from and not be torn down or rewritten to suit one agenda or another. I find it remarkable that people today seem to think it is okay to judge life in the past from today's perspective. I like a lot the history in this book, but again it is presented a bit one sided and not altogether honestly. Captain Pencarrow was a product of the times and his upbringing. He most likely hated slavery, but at the same time was a slave to the institution.
Again, I realize that the presentation of historical facts are suited to the characters' view of it. I just wish it were a bit more balanced. Not every non liberal is a racist, just as not every liberal is a member of ANTIFA. ::laughs::I won't even get into fascism which seems to be thrown around by both sides without a true understanding of the word.
Most of all, I loved seeing Daniel Kelly in the book. He has been a favorite of mine since the beginning. He is honest and without remorse for who he is. Damned sexy, too. ::smiles::
In closing, this was not my favorite book. I am sad that I did not like the book as much as I hoped. I have truly enjoyed reading Greg Iles books over the years and hope to continue to do so. I hope that perhaps one more Penn Cage novel is in the works. I would like to read about Penn's son.
And we are talking about this book, which as I said in my opening...was most likely the original intent.
June 14, 2024
How disappointing. I couldn’t get past two chapters because he went on a rant about Trump. Why? Why ruin a book with those vitriolic views? Needless to say, I’m done. Done with Greg Isles and, sadly, with Penn Cage.
May 28, 2024
*** Happy Publication Day ***
This seventh Cage Penn book is the icing on the cake following Iles' amazing Nachez Burning trilogy (Nachez Burning, The Bone Tree, and Mississippi Blood), which also features Penn Cage. Set fifteen years after Mississippi Blood, in 2023, on the eve of the presidential election, it is a microscopic look at the state of US politics, race relations, and the nature of the unrest we are currently experiencing.
When a rap concert turns bloody at the hands of the Sheriff's Department in Bienville, Mississippi, two figures emerge as leaders: one, a Black tourist guide, and the other, a White third-party presidential candidate who has the best chance of winning since Ross Perot. One hopes to quell the retaliatory mood of the crowd, and the other hopes to raise his political aspirations to a national stage. At odds, the stage is set for a confrontation with far-reaching consequences.
This looks like it will be the final Penn Cage book, as it is revealed early on that Cage's cancer is no longer in remission. That's sad news for fans of the series, myself included, but Iles does a good job of handling the characters and dealing with the life-threatening situation. This fast-moving story weaves together today's political climate and Civil War-era slavery issues. It is sometimes uncomfortable to read, but it is a story that needs telling. This political and historical thriller shines a light on corruption, race relations, and family relationships, both past and present. It is an excellently written book that can be read as a standalone--although the other books in the series are so good, I recommend reading them all.
Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 28, 2024.
This seventh Cage Penn book is the icing on the cake following Iles' amazing Nachez Burning trilogy (Nachez Burning, The Bone Tree, and Mississippi Blood), which also features Penn Cage. Set fifteen years after Mississippi Blood, in 2023, on the eve of the presidential election, it is a microscopic look at the state of US politics, race relations, and the nature of the unrest we are currently experiencing.
When a rap concert turns bloody at the hands of the Sheriff's Department in Bienville, Mississippi, two figures emerge as leaders: one, a Black tourist guide, and the other, a White third-party presidential candidate who has the best chance of winning since Ross Perot. One hopes to quell the retaliatory mood of the crowd, and the other hopes to raise his political aspirations to a national stage. At odds, the stage is set for a confrontation with far-reaching consequences.
This looks like it will be the final Penn Cage book, as it is revealed early on that Cage's cancer is no longer in remission. That's sad news for fans of the series, myself included, but Iles does a good job of handling the characters and dealing with the life-threatening situation. This fast-moving story weaves together today's political climate and Civil War-era slavery issues. It is sometimes uncomfortable to read, but it is a story that needs telling. This political and historical thriller shines a light on corruption, race relations, and family relationships, both past and present. It is an excellently written book that can be read as a standalone--although the other books in the series are so good, I recommend reading them all.
Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 28, 2024.
July 3, 2024
Greg's Trump Derangement Syndrome is off the charts. We get it. You are a liberal. However, it is extremely lazy on Greg's part to espouse debunked talking points about Trump (Russian spy) and even have Trump mentioned in the book whatsoever.
Does he now lack the creativity to develop his own characters instead of parroting CNN talking points continually throughout the novel? It's just lazy and sad.
Don't waste your time with this novel unless you want to stay in your far left echo chamber.
Does he now lack the creativity to develop his own characters instead of parroting CNN talking points continually throughout the novel? It's just lazy and sad.
Don't waste your time with this novel unless you want to stay in your far left echo chamber.
May 31, 2024
"Southern man better keep your head
Don't forget what your good book said
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burning fast
Southern man"
(Neil Young)
A political thriller that takes a deep look at racial tensions in a small Mississippi town called Bienville. Long-simmering grievances ignite when white sheriff deputies recklessly open fire during a music festival attended mostly by young blacks, killing several and wounding more. Demonstrations take over the bluffs of the city in protest and the National Guard is called in. When two antebellum homes are torched and the beloved black mayor, who has been working for a peaceful resolution, is shot and killed, it begins to look like another Civil War is possible.
I've been wanting to read these thrillers featuring Penn Cage for quite some time so jumped at the chance to read an arc of his latest which was provided to me by the author and publisher via NetGalley. It turned out to be fine to read this as a standalone book as details in the plot caught new readers like me up on what had occurred previously.
I think probably what I missed out on most by jumping in this late in the series was the character development from previous books. Through the details of the story, I learned Penn Cage is an author and had been a prosecutor and the mayor of Natchez. At this point in his life, he is currently the city's attorney. His mother is dying of a blood cancer and has had a stroke. She has been working on the family's genealogy and has written what she has been able to verify in the form of a story. Some of those chapters appear in this book. Penn's daughter Annie is a civil rights attorney and Penn is extremely protective of her.
I couldn't quite get a handle on Penn in this story. At times he seems so wise, focused and rational, yet at others he seems so reckless, perhaps even capable of being driven to acts of vengeance. Granted, the situation they are facing is quite extreme and he is in some physical pain, having revealed he has the same cancer as his mother and is showing the symptoms. I'd like to go back in the series and learn more about him.
There are of course many other characters in this novel including the man who would do most anything to be president and the wealthy people willing to back him if he toes the line. Their political machinations are fascinating to watch. Lots of evildoers in this story but there are a few shining lights of hope.
I can't end this review without mentioning the length of this story--nearly 1000 pages! So it is not light summer reading, by any means. But as events in the plot build to the inevitable exciting conclusion, the pages turn a little faster. It's a good mix of suspenseful thriller, historical fiction and discussion of important racial issues. I definitely want to read more by this author.
Don't forget what your good book said
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burning fast
Southern man"
(Neil Young)
A political thriller that takes a deep look at racial tensions in a small Mississippi town called Bienville. Long-simmering grievances ignite when white sheriff deputies recklessly open fire during a music festival attended mostly by young blacks, killing several and wounding more. Demonstrations take over the bluffs of the city in protest and the National Guard is called in. When two antebellum homes are torched and the beloved black mayor, who has been working for a peaceful resolution, is shot and killed, it begins to look like another Civil War is possible.
I've been wanting to read these thrillers featuring Penn Cage for quite some time so jumped at the chance to read an arc of his latest which was provided to me by the author and publisher via NetGalley. It turned out to be fine to read this as a standalone book as details in the plot caught new readers like me up on what had occurred previously.
I think probably what I missed out on most by jumping in this late in the series was the character development from previous books. Through the details of the story, I learned Penn Cage is an author and had been a prosecutor and the mayor of Natchez. At this point in his life, he is currently the city's attorney. His mother is dying of a blood cancer and has had a stroke. She has been working on the family's genealogy and has written what she has been able to verify in the form of a story. Some of those chapters appear in this book. Penn's daughter Annie is a civil rights attorney and Penn is extremely protective of her.
I couldn't quite get a handle on Penn in this story. At times he seems so wise, focused and rational, yet at others he seems so reckless, perhaps even capable of being driven to acts of vengeance. Granted, the situation they are facing is quite extreme and he is in some physical pain, having revealed he has the same cancer as his mother and is showing the symptoms. I'd like to go back in the series and learn more about him.
There are of course many other characters in this novel including the man who would do most anything to be president and the wealthy people willing to back him if he toes the line. Their political machinations are fascinating to watch. Lots of evildoers in this story but there are a few shining lights of hope.
I can't end this review without mentioning the length of this story--nearly 1000 pages! So it is not light summer reading, by any means. But as events in the plot build to the inevitable exciting conclusion, the pages turn a little faster. It's a good mix of suspenseful thriller, historical fiction and discussion of important racial issues. I definitely want to read more by this author.
June 2, 2024
Greg Iles is an exceptional storyteller in my book. The character, Penn Cage, who is portrayed as an attorney who has quit practicing so that he can spend his time writing, gets himself involved in the midst of great controversy and turmoil. The book, centered in Bienville, MIssissippi involves race relations, history, politics, criminal conspiracy, among other things. I enjoy the mix of history how it still influences present day. That said, I will never go to Mississippi after reading the Penn Cage books. I know they are fiction, but there is truth buried in these stories too. I would have liked to see an author's note to tell how much of this book, especially the historical references to journals and writings of slaves, is true. I know most of the horrible current scenarios in the book are fiction, but the some of the references to things that happened in the past I would like to know if any are true. I hope to have time to look up some of these references.
There is a tremendous amount of action in this book that will keep you glued to the pages - all 970 of them. Yes, this is a long book but definitely a good one to read. There is a radio personality who has charisma and is planning to run for president, someone is burning plantations, someone inciting riots, someone is committing murder. There are a lot of corrupt government officials and dirty cops. There is quite a bit of violence. Penn Cage is dealing with his mother dying, his own illness, trying to protect his daughter, helping the black community, delving into history, and trying to unravel what is happening in his city before it all comes apart. Anyone who likes a good thriller will love this book.
Thanks to William Morrow through Netgalley for an advance copy.
There is a tremendous amount of action in this book that will keep you glued to the pages - all 970 of them. Yes, this is a long book but definitely a good one to read. There is a radio personality who has charisma and is planning to run for president, someone is burning plantations, someone inciting riots, someone is committing murder. There are a lot of corrupt government officials and dirty cops. There is quite a bit of violence. Penn Cage is dealing with his mother dying, his own illness, trying to protect his daughter, helping the black community, delving into history, and trying to unravel what is happening in his city before it all comes apart. Anyone who likes a good thriller will love this book.
Thanks to William Morrow through Netgalley for an advance copy.
May 24, 2024
The 7th Penn Cage installment is one that many Greg Illes Fans have been waiting for. However, this one is a huge investment. This final Cage novel is over 900 pages. You have been warned. True fans won’t want it to end.
There is shooting at a rap concert. Soon a racial war is in effect. Southern antebellum homes are on fire. Anarchy. Is this really just another black lives matter situation? Powerful people at play are politically motivated. Is this tied in?
While this story goes down a complex road, Cage is battling cancer. With death in tow, he will do anything to save his family. The thing that sets Illes apart from other authors is his intense characterization. Superb writing with an excellent finish.
Gripping, raw, violent. Racism and politics. Death and loss. Be prepared for a dark tale that is much closer to home than we think.
Thanks so much @williammorrowbooks , @gregiles and @netgalley for the opportunity. Publication date May 28, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is shooting at a rap concert. Soon a racial war is in effect. Southern antebellum homes are on fire. Anarchy. Is this really just another black lives matter situation? Powerful people at play are politically motivated. Is this tied in?
While this story goes down a complex road, Cage is battling cancer. With death in tow, he will do anything to save his family. The thing that sets Illes apart from other authors is his intense characterization. Superb writing with an excellent finish.
Gripping, raw, violent. Racism and politics. Death and loss. Be prepared for a dark tale that is much closer to home than we think.
Thanks so much @williammorrowbooks , @gregiles and @netgalley for the opportunity. Publication date May 28, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 19, 2024
I never review a book I didn’t finish but was so utterly disappointed in this book, I’m compelled to tell people. I am a massive Greg Iles fan and have read most of his books. Especially love the Penn Cage series. But man oh man, try as I might, I could not get into this one. It was around page 400 that I just could not keep investing any time or energy in this slow moving, repetitive narrative. Unfortunately, I would suggest skipping this one and save yourself the money (and heartache!).
July 27, 2024
This hurts!! The Penn Cage series has been near and dear to me. There were some special memories for me, reading Greg Iles' Penn Cage series over the years at the cottage. They seemed to be released at the best times and these were some of the best books I've ever read.
I couldn't wait to read the latest in the Penn Cage series, Southern Man.
Perfect timing once again. I saved this for the cottage as my "main event" read. I could not get through it. Iles' has let his severe case of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) ruin his craft. Because Iles is (now, was) one of my favorite authors I kept pushing forward hoping he would pause on his hatred of Trump just for a moment and focus on story but he wouldn't. Page after page, it just continued ad nauseum.
Look I don't care if you're a Liberal. I read a lot of books by known and proud Liberal authors (most seem to be for some reason) but they don't go page after page spouting hatred (not to mention falsehoods). Iles, this isn't healthy! You sound like a rambling old man.
So, this was painful. Not just because this book read like a 1000 page hate letter to Trump but because I was such a fan of this author until now. Be a Liberal, who cares but get over your TDS.
I couldn't wait to read the latest in the Penn Cage series, Southern Man.
Perfect timing once again. I saved this for the cottage as my "main event" read. I could not get through it. Iles' has let his severe case of TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) ruin his craft. Because Iles is (now, was) one of my favorite authors I kept pushing forward hoping he would pause on his hatred of Trump just for a moment and focus on story but he wouldn't. Page after page, it just continued ad nauseum.
Look I don't care if you're a Liberal. I read a lot of books by known and proud Liberal authors (most seem to be for some reason) but they don't go page after page spouting hatred (not to mention falsehoods). Iles, this isn't healthy! You sound like a rambling old man.
So, this was painful. Not just because this book read like a 1000 page hate letter to Trump but because I was such a fan of this author until now. Be a Liberal, who cares but get over your TDS.
January 15, 2026
Southern man better keep your head
Don’t forget what your good book said
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burning fast
Southern man.
I saw cotton and I saw black
Tall white mansions and little shacks
Southern man, when will you pay then back?
I heard screaming and bullwhips cracking
How long? How long? (Ah)
Southern man better keep your head
Don’t forget what your Good Book says
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burning fast
Southern man — SOUTHERN MAN, Neil Young
As a fan of all of the previous Penn Cage books, I have been looking forward to this last book in the series. It is sad that the author Greg Iles finished Southern Man while undergoing chemotherapy fighting for his life but determined to bring the series to a close with this book. And all of the history and drama that are contained in this last novel will keep one turning the pages as one is immersed in the smoldering anger of the South, bringing to mind the writing of Thomas Wolfe and William Faulkner.
It is fifteen years after the Natchez Burning Trilogy when Penn Cage is feeling alone with so many of his loved ones dead. This book takes place over a pivotal week in the life of Penn Cage and his daughter Annie as they are mourning the death of the matriarch of the Cage family. And then there is a rap festival in Mississippi resulting in a bloody mass shooting. And in this community there is the burning of many of the historic antebellum mansions in Natchez and Bienville. As these beautiful and historic mansions are burning to the ground, it is causing panic to surge through the communities.
And then there is a presidential election in 2024 against the leading candidate Donald Trump, so one may imagine the chaos that results. But suddenly there is the stunning ascent of a Southern war hero seizing the public’s imagination, Robert E. Lee White. And what transpires as the days move on, we see a polarized America. There is a continuation of history since the Civil War of black versus white as they line up against one another. As we follow Penn Cage, his daughter Annie, now a civil rights lawyer, and Ray, a former prisoner at Parchman Prison, and his allies and confidantes as they try to determine what is happening. There is much senseless loss of life and the lives of many friends.
And it must be said that the author, Greg Iles wrote this book while on chemotherapy and he gives those who helped make this book possible a lot of credit. But I am happy that he was able to complete this book before his death. However, I am sad that there will not be a sequel where the author Penn Cage writes about his mother and her life as well as the beautiful family progeny that made up the remarkable maternal side of the Cage family. Because a most important thread running throughout this novel is the history of Peggy Cage’s family as she was raised picking cotton. In fact, one of the most cherished items of his mother that he kept close was the bag that she used to carry the cotton she had picked in the fields from the time that she was a young child. In the years before her death, Peggy Cage actually moved to the Pemberton Plantation to research her family with the aid of Annie in the organization of the materials. In Southern Man there is a lot of her writing as she tries to piece together her family’s history.
June 20, 2024
What a shame. I've loved Iles' books going back to Spandau Phoenix. But this one was hard to even finish. I figured Iles was a whiny progressive, but this book is so over the top it seems like it's meant to be a parody.
August 1, 2024
This book seems to have a good storyline, but it's so full of the author's political slant that it's unreadable. Just tell the story without the editorials, please.
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