What the Bayou Saw
November 18, 2009
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
What The Bayou Saw
Kregel Publications (March 24, 2009)
by
Patti Lacy
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Though Patti’s only been writing since 2005, she thinks her latest profession of capturing stories on paper (or computer files) will stick awhile.
The Still, Small Voice encouraged Patti to write after a brave Irish friend shared memories of betrayal and her decision to forgive. In 2008, An Irishwoman’s Tale was published by Kregel Publications. Patti’s second novel, What the Bayou Saw, draws on the memories of two young girls who refused to let segregation, a chain link fence, and a brutal rape come between them.
The secrets women keep and why they keep them continue to enliven Patti’s gray matter. A third book, My Name is Sheba, has been completed. Patti’s WIP, Recapturing Lily, documents a tug-of-war between a Harvard-educated doctor and an American pastor and his wife for a precious child and explores adoption issues, China’s “One Child” policy, and both Christian and secular views of sacrifice.
Patti also facilitates writing seminars in schools, libraries, and at conferences and has been called to present her testimony, “All the Broken Pieces,” at women’s retreats. She also leads a Beth Moore Bible study at her beloved Grace Church.
Patti and her husband Alan, an Illinois State faculty member, live in Normal with their handsome son Thomas, who attends Heartland Community College. On sunny evenings, you can catch the three strolling the streets of Normal with their dog Laura, whom they’ve dubbed a “Worchestershire Terrier” for her “little dab of this breed, a little dab of that breed.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Segregation and a chain link fence separated twelve-year-old Sally Flowers from her best friend, Ella Ward. Yet a brutal assault bound them together. Forever. Thirty-eight years later, Sally, a middle-aged Midwestern instructor, dredges up childhood secrets long buried beneath the waters of a Louisiana bayou in order to help her student, who has also been raped. Fragments of spirituals, gospel songs, and images of a Katrina-ravaged New Orleans are woven into the story.
The past can’t stay buried forever Rising author Patti Lacy’s second novel exposes the life of Sally, set amid the shadows of prejudice in Louisiana.
Since leaving her home in the South, Sally Stevens has held the secrets of her past at bay, smothering them in a sunny disposition and sugar-coated lies. No one, not even her husband, has heard the truth about her childhood.
But when one of her students is violently raped, Sally’s memories quickly bubble to the surface unbidden, like a dead body in a bayou. As Sally’s story comes to light, the lies she’s told begin to catch up with her. And as her web of deceit unravels, she resolves to face the truth at last, whatever the consequences.
If you would like to read the first chapter of What The Bayou Saw, go HERE
Sally Says: I received this book a bit late so I haven’t gotten through all of it yet. And it is one of those nice, thick books which I like. In fact, I don’t know yet what the bayou saw, but I have read enough to give you my take on it.
What the Bayou Saw is a gritty, tell-it-like-it-is Southern novel. I wasn’t sure what to expect since this is the first book I’ve read by Patti Lacy, but it’s a well-written, realistic novel.
The book starts with our heroine Sally (lovely name, by the way) being “confronted” by three racist college students. From there we travel between past and present, finding out about Sally’s childhood in the sixties and what has made her the unique, flawed woman she is now.
I had a hard time connecting with Sally early on. She came across as fake — which she is, putting on fronts to hide what she really thinks and how she really feels, and it wasn’t until I met her husband Sam (in the book, of course) that I found someone likable. Even Shamika, Sally’s student who is also an important character, came across rather gruff and scratchy. So it took me a while to get involved with the story. But once I met Sam, the book took off.
The story deals with some rough things in a very blunt way — and some readers will love that while others will not. The one author I might compare Lacy to would be Mary DeMuth. They deal with the same types of topics, but Lacy has a less flowery style. It’s all just very real, all laid out there for the reader to experience. There’s no sugar-coating, no couching anything, no holding back.
As for what I feel about the book, I’m still not completely sure. It’s a bit more hard hitting than what I’m used to, but the farther into the book I get, the less I can put it down. I am enjoying it, yet I’m on edge because I don’t want to see the characters get hurt. And I know it’s coming.
So if you like realistic fiction, if you like Southern fiction, and if you love an honest, open style of writing, you’ll thoroughly love Patti Lacy’s What the Bayou Saw.
Comments
4 Responses to “What the Bayou Saw”
Well, I kinda resent your attitude about my little problem. I mean, I’m seeing a counselor about it. And it takes a lot of prayer and time, she says. I mean, it’s embarrassin’ enough that my whole life is laid out by that nosy author.
Things changed, though, when I read that you don’t want any of us women to get hurt. In fact, I softened up like butter on a hot day. And anyone named Sally can’t be all bad!
Sally Stevens
LOL, “Sally.” I’m glad we agreed eventually. Actually, I was able to finish your story just before dinner tonight, and the second half that I hadn’t read was the best of the whole book. Loved it!
Hmm…after reading the comments I may just have to read this book because this Sally Stevens sounds like a real character…uh, sorry.
Robin, sure hope you do! then visit my 21st century blog! Yes, I have made an attempt to be modern.
Blessings,
Patti