Best-selling author Clyde Edgerton blends a comfy Southern setting and quirky characters into an unforgettable journey through a spirited senior citizen's world. Filled with the details of everyday life, this novel evokes the homespun wisdom and offbeat humor that have become Edgerton's trademark. Meet Mattie Rigsby, 78, who keeps a clean house and bakes the best pound cake in Listre, North Carolina. Her children grown, she lives a comfortable and independent life. Her orderly days are about to be disrupted, however, by a stray. Unkempt and unloved, teenaged and delinquent, Wesley Benfield just might need a piece of her apple pie and a verse or two of Walking Across Egypt, her favorite hymn. As Mattie and Wesley come together, she will fill your heart with appreciation for a generation who still remembers that life is a lot better when it's filled with good food and good manners. The sequel, Killer Diller , is also available from Recorded Books. Narrator Norman Dietz's performance adds just the right flavor to Wesley, Mattie, and her baffled relatives.
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"A fun vacation read, similar to the clever style of Alexander McCall Smith. The main character is a 70 something women, and the story is related as seen through her eyes. With a mix of the naiivity of a Sunday school little girl, and wisdom that comes with having lived over 70 years."
— Casey (4 out of 5 stars)
" Not terribly remarkable...not a page turner, but a simple book about life in the 50's through the eyes of a kind old woman who tried to help a delinquent boy. Easy, quick read. "
— Amy, 2/17/2014" I very much enjoyed this book. I will read more by Clyde. I hope this book has a sequal. "
— Kim, 2/14/2014" This was a delightful read. Mattie is a spunky woman who is not content to sit on a rocker in her declining years. She is just the sort of woman that I would love to go visit - especially if it is around dinner time. "
— Cherie, 2/6/2014" I cannot imagine a more appropriately titled book. It is disturbing how little dignity Edgerton grants to his quirky Southern characters. He needs to take a few pages out of Eudora Welty, Flannery O'Connor, or William Faulkner. "
— Roger, 2/1/2014" What a cute gem of a book. Nothing that a good southern meal can't make right, and surprisingly in most cases it does. "
— Pamk, 1/31/2014" Very funny, have read twice "
— Carmen, 1/16/2014" Walking Across Egypt was a quick read that I would put in the OK category. The one thing that I did like about it is that the author recognized that the main character, an older women who was "slowing down," was still full of life and vitality. The author also brings out the point that what people often need most is to be needed. The opportunity to "do good for the least among us" provides that opportunity for the main character. The book did have the small town literature feel to it and I also chuckle at the Christian like attitude of those in church who "know what is best." "
— Tama, 1/1/2014" A fine novel in the Southern fiction tradition - great at capturing the self-righteous religious mindset that often pervades while not soft-pedaling the real virtue underneath some of the religiosity. "
— David, 12/23/2013" some good messages and a good main character, but overall did not hold my attention well. "
— Andrea, 11/15/2013" Ilove this grandma. I could "taste" her food. "
— Nancy, 11/10/2013" What a dear Grandma -- reminds me of someone. I had a very clear visual on this woman and her friends and family. Very enjoyable. "
— Loriek, 10/7/2013" This was a positive view of one woman's adjustment to growing old and the absence of children in her life. There were some funny moments ... some took me by surprise, others were highly predictable. "
— Danna, 7/24/2013" I read the first chapter of this book outloud with my sister, and it had us both laughing. Well-written and funny, I think the author has done a good job of capturing the lifestyle of this older widow. I enjoyed the book very much. "
— Ellen, 7/5/2013" A strong woman just doing the right thing. Reading this book made me feel better about the world. "
— Robynn, 6/6/2013" I've read this book twice. It wasn't as funny the second time around as I recalled from the first time. "
— Shannon, 5/2/2013" According to the book's own review it is "Wise and witty, down-home and real". I say it is too cutesy and too shallow, even for beach reading (which is where I read it) "
— Katie, 3/21/2013" This book made me laugh hysterically because it reminded me so much of the antics of my father and brothers. "
— Jennifer, 1/19/2013" I laugh thinking about it! "
— Jan, 12/30/2012" Humorous and sweet story of two people who are very unalike, a juvenile delinquent and an older, law abiding woman..who find companionship with one another. "
— B, 11/1/2012" What possible business does an independent senior citizen have with a stray dog and a juvenile delinquent? To make readers smile and laugh and maybe even relive memories of a beloved senior of their own. "
— Pj, 9/3/2012" Cute book, good for a chuckle. "
— Diane, 8/29/2012" Simple but lovely little story. "
— Amelia, 8/22/2012" An easy read set in southern culture and about an old lady living in it. Lacked direction, but was enjoyable for it's warmth and funny moments. "
— Becca, 3/27/2012" This book is not about Egypt, but it is a delightful slice-of-American-life. an easy rad; I thoroughly enjoyed it. "
— Rita, 3/24/2012" From the description, I was expecting a fabulous read. Instead, I was disappointed on pretty much every page. I feel like the characters were too shallow, the writing weak, and the story unfinished. Try it if you want, but don't expect much. "
— Jennifer, 1/10/2012" Wonderful story about an old Southern lady and a wayward young man, who form an unlikely bond. Mattie Rigsby feeds young orphan delinquent Wesley Benfield's soul and stomach. The way to Wesley's soul is through his stomach, and Miss Mattie can flat cook. "
— Felix, 11/29/2011" I loved the food stories and Mattie. It reminded me of the book Tender at the Bone, and how food makes life better. "
— Jenn, 8/19/2011" Just what I needed!! Heart warming and funny. About an unlikely friendship between an old lady and a jd. There's even a hymn at the back so's you can sing along! ;-) "
— Rachel, 6/28/2011" I didn't read the book because I had heard that bad language was rampant in it. I did watch the movie however and I thought it was fun. "
— Robin, 6/15/2011" I loved the food stories and Mattie. It reminded me of the book Tender at the Bone, and how food makes life better. "
— Jenn, 4/13/2011" Loved it! Funny! Delightful old lady takes in a wild teenage boy. <br/> <br/>This may have been a mother/daughter book club selection. "
— Cindy, 3/18/2011" Cute book, good for a chuckle. "
— Diane, 3/14/2011" Another old lady book that first reminded me of Aunt Mamie, probably more so than Miss Julia. Jeff hated the book - thought it was pointless. "
— Mary, 2/8/2011" I enjoyed the story, nothing too heavy and a few laugh out loud moments. I think all the characters were easily identified with and Mattie was delightful. The details and every day moments were right in place and made you feel like they are your neighbors. "
— Jana, 2/6/2011" I have been a fan of the movie for years. I enjoyed the book, but I think in this case I like movie more then the book. "
— Aubree, 1/21/2011" It is really good. It is sort of religious, but she takes such good care of the troubled boy. He used to live in a home for troubled boys before he came to stay with the old lady. "
— Alexandria, 1/7/2011" This book kind of reminded me of "Can't Wait to get to Heaven" by Fannie Flagg. Maybe it was just because they both have amazing older women. I thought it was funny and cute. "
— Lindsay, 1/2/2011" Pure delight! Light and breezy read. "
— Marc, 12/29/2010" What a cute gem of a book. Nothing that a good southern meal can't make right, and surprisingly in most cases it does. "
— Pamk, 12/11/2010" Not terribly remarkable...not a page turner, but a simple book about life in the 50's through the eyes of a kind old woman who tried to help a delinquent boy. Easy, quick read. "
— Amy, 10/19/2010Clyde Edgerton is an American author and creative writing professor. He was born in Durham, North Carolina, and his books are known for endearing characters, small-town Southern dialogue, and realistic fire-and-brimstone religious sermons. His books are full of humor while still respecting the characters’ integrity.
Norman Dietz is a writer, voice-over artist, and audiobook narrator. He has won numerous Earphones Awards and was named one of the fifty “Best Voices of the Century” by AudioFile magazine. He and his late wife, Sandra, transformed an abandoned ice-cream parlor into a playhouse, which served “the world’s best hot fudge sundaes” before and after performances. The founder of Theatre in the Works, he lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.