This immensely accomplished novel by the author of the Edgar Award-winning short story collection Poachers is based on a real-life feud in the 1890s that pitted the underclass-poor, mostly white sharecroppers -of Clarke County, Ala., against the land-owning gentry who could and did control their fate. "Franklin may have used history as a starting point, but he imagines the events in human terms, creating a book that transmutes historical fact into something much more powerful, dramatic and compelling."-Publishers Weekly, starred review
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"Couldn't put this down, and for the first time in a long time I thought I had the characters figured and didn't...but the twists made them more real than my figuring. That's what stands out for me, but there's also the writing -- an old fashioned flavour to it, but gritty and raw and sometimes beautiful. Paragraphs capped off with razors. And the story line, which slowly gathers speed until you're on a speeding train so exciting you don't jump even though you know the wreck is coming."
— Andrea (5 out of 5 stars)
“Franklin may have used history as a starting point, but he imagines the events in human terms, creating a book that transmutes historical fact into something much more powerful, dramatic and compelling.”
— Publishers Weekly, starred review" Brutal Southern fiction, set in the late 1800 Mississippi area. Probably wouldn't have read this except that it's about the family of someone I know--and doesn't portray their ancestors in a good light. But after I got into it, it proved interesting enough to finish. I do like the way Tom Franklin writes. "
— MaryAnn, 2/16/2014" Fantastic book by a "new south" writer. Believable characters in a historical setting. The conflict between poor tenant farmers and the town folks in rural Alabama in the 1890's--taking the law into their own hands--- is expertly handled. If you like southern literature, you will love this book. "
— Ken, 2/13/2014" A lot of heart and soul in the writing. Sympathy for the Devil "
— Mickelo, 1/22/2014" Based on a true series of events in rural Alabama, this was a dark but authentic look at the inner-workings of small, Southern towns during the turn of the last century. "
— Scott, 1/16/2014" Even better than the first Tom Franklin book I read. I'm a fan now "
— John, 1/14/2014" A beautiful book, but not for the fainthearted. Definitely violent and sometimes graphic, though it felt appropriate to the story. Larry Pine's reading is perfect--just the slightest gruffness but nothing overpowering. "
— K, 1/4/2014" Not my usual type of book because of the violence, but it was actually super interesting. The action moves fairly quickly and the characters are fascinating. "
— Keets, 12/28/2013" historical fiction, post-civil war south. franklin writes about the world in all its wonderful, violent, ugly funkiness and it makes a beautiful novel. full of moments where I had to pause to admire the sneaky brilliance of franklin's prose. "
— Scott, 12/7/2013" Not my favorite Tom Franklin book. "
— Jo, 11/25/2013" A gut bustin' sidewinder. And who said prostitution is a victimless crime? "
— Craig, 9/10/2013" Great story and I love the eloquence of language. "
— AR, 2/4/2013" Some fairly interesting set pieces and characters, but flat, predictable, and poorly paced, with the end collapsing in a tired heap. 2.5 stars. "
— Mike, 1/10/2013" The idea for the book was okay but I did not like the characters. All of the characters seemed to come from hell itself with the exception of Macky and the sheriff and the old woman and they too seemed to have at least one foot in. I can't imagine anyone being that ignorant, dirty and uncaring. "
— Marlyn, 11/2/2012" Damn fine Western set in Alabama. "
— Suzanne, 10/24/2012" Both "Hell at the Breech" and "Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter" by Tom Franklin give an engrossing picture of the morality and philosophy of the South after the Civil War. Its struggle to come to terms with their new life, their poverty, and their sense of control. "
— Mary, 7/13/2012" My favorite book so far this year. "
— Carla, 8/11/2011" This book was very violent and mean. I did not enjoy it at all. "
— Kari, 7/7/2011" I've had this book forever but only just started reading it. I can't put it down, it's so good. I'm partial to these kinds of books because it's about Alabama and I grew up in Alabama. Franklin is a great writer. "
— Sonya, 7/2/2011" Despite the typical deep south violence cliche, it was a very good book. Compelling story and the two boys made it tragic. A page turner. "
— Mike, 4/26/2011" Tom Franklin hits the nail on this novel about a small town back in the 1890's. A small group of men decide to take the law onto themselves.<br/>Each of the characters are well described and life in this small Southern <br/>Town is quite explicit.<br/>Very well written. "
— Sally, 4/22/2011" This was good. An interesting historical fiction novel. Not something I'm dying to re-read, but definitely a part of history that I knew nothing about. "
— Leigh, 4/5/2011" Very good fictional account of a very bloody little war. "
— Jonathan, 3/26/2011" A beautiful book, but not for the fainthearted. Definitely violent and sometimes graphic, though it felt appropriate to the story. Larry Pine's reading is perfect--just the slightest gruffness but nothing overpowering. "
— K, 1/11/2011" This tale of back-country, old-time bloody vigilantism is a solid read. I tackled it at about the same time as Tim Gautreaux's "The Clearing," a similarly textured novel. "
— Tim, 12/25/2010" One of the very best books I have read in a long time. This reminds me of the county I grew up in with areas in it that are heavily controlled by certain families. This history of my county isn't too far removed. I could easily believe this could have happened here. "
— Jeremy, 11/2/2010" Damn fine Western set in Alabama. "
— Suzanne, 7/12/2010" Very gritty, but extremely well written. "
— Greg, 6/11/2010Tom Franklin is the author of Poachers, Hell at the Breech, and Smonk. Winner of an Edgar Award and a 2001 Guggenheim Fellowship, he teaches at the University of Mississippi and lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife, the poet Beth Ann Fennelly, and their children.
Larry Pine is an American film, television, and theatre actor. He is married to composer and sound designer Margaret Pine.