A debut novel by Wiley Cash, “A Land More Kind Than Home,” aroused conflicting reactions from me. It was tantalizing in that the story has three narrators, Jess, the nine-year-old brother of Christopher, a mute who was nicknamed “Stump;” Adelaide Lyle, a midwife and town moralist who removes all the children from the church and teaches them herself; and Clem Barfield, the sheriff with past hurts too painful to ignore. The plot deals with fanatical religion in which Carson Chambliss, an evil pastor, practices snake handling and other sadistic methods of evangelism.
It is a powerful novel of courage and cruelty, evil and tragedy in which the pastor destroys the family life of the young parents of the two boys. In the vein of dynamic Southern writers Ron Rash and John Hart, the young author has displayed lyrical and emotional storytelling. He has portrayed western North Carolina people and their culture with clarity and understanding.
The story does have its redeeming features. The boys’ grandfather makes amends with the sheriff, and the minister is removed from the scene. However, there is violence and bloodshed.
Cash teaches English at Bethany College and lives in West Virginia.