Green Fields:: Crime, Punishment, and a Boyhood Between

by Bob Cowser Jr.

A narrative reconstruction and reconsideration of the 1979 murder of Cary Ann Medlin, the author's third grade classmate, and the execution twenty years later of Robert Glen Coe, the man convicted of the crime, the first in Tennessee in forty years. Reminiscent of the best crime writing of Capote, Didion and Baldwin.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

173 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2010

Reviews

[Gavin Breeden · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written crime story about the 1979 murder of 8-year old Cary Ann Medlin in Weakley County, Tennessee, where I'm from. The author grew up with Medlin in Martin, TN (my home town) and connects her short life to his in some interesting ways. Strange to read geography, names, and street names of my home town in a book, especially a book about a brutal murder which occurred before I was born. Cowser then spends some time considering the death penalty because Medlin's murderer, Robert Glen Coe, was executed in 2000 (an event I remember fairly well) making it the first execution in Tennessee since 1960. This is sort of like Weakley County's "In Cold Blood." A quick read. First book I read completely on my iPhone.

One awkward thing, the University of Tennessee at Martin (my alma mater)'s student run literary magazine is called "Bean Switch" named after a road in Weakley County, which, unbeknownst to them I'm sure, is the name of the road Medlin was murdered and found on.

[Rebekah M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not that I liked what happened in the book, because it's brutal, but I liked reading about what happened in the town (ok, really the crime was in Greenfield, but the author is from Martin) where I lived for a decade. I knew exactly where everything is that the author mentions and several of the people involved with the murder and trial. I think anyone familiar with Martin, TN would find this book interesting.

[Denise Mansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Crime took place in the county I grew up in. Incredible.

[Jenny Claiborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really well written account of a horrifying crime.

[Annalise Grueter · Rating 5 out of 5]

True crime is not usually my genre. Cowser meticulously takes us through windows into the lives of the victim, the convicted criminal, and the people connected to each of them, from family to legal and mental health workers to Cowser himself.
He balances well between factual reporting and considerations of culture, economic circumstances, and institutions. He even sneaks in a little writing about writing, and manages to do so respectfully.

True crime fans should definitely read it, but I'd recommend this as a worthwhile read to anyone who can stomach the pages on the actual crime and criminal history of the convict, Robert Glen Coe. The writing elevates a retrospect on crime and punishment to a contemplation on how we as individuals and communities move through the world. That is no small thing.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this four stars, but I wish that didn't mean that I "really liked it." This memoir is not subject matter anyone really likes, but it is well-written. I am particularly glad I wasn't able to read this when I still lived in Weakley County. It's unsettling enough, recognizing people and places, being able to picture it all whole in my mind. After reading this book, a girl can't help but think that the UTM literary journal might need a new name.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was hard to read this book just because of the grizzly nature of the crime. That's not Cowser's fault of course. It's an ugly ugly story in every aspect, but it's what happened.

[Paula]

ok

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

march 2011 bookclub pick