A Vietnam vet returns to rural Tennessee in this acclaimed novel from
the National Book Award-nominated author of Save Me, Joe Louis.
After the horrors of Vietnam, Thomas Laidlaw returns to his home in
rural Tennessee where he spends his days raising sheep and growing
vegetables. At night he likes to roam the quiet countryside and practice
his banjo, revelling in the roots music he finds so grounding. Over
time, he resumes his friendship with Rodney Redmon, a fellow vet and
childhood friend scarred not only by the wages of war, but also by the
deep wounds of racism.
As the two friends piece together a new life as civilians, they also
piece together a band with the addition of a fiddler. Through a
masterful accumulation of details, Bell brings his story to a fever
pitch, concluding in "an unexpected, if powerful, finale" (Publishers
Weekly). "This important, insightful novel" (Library Journal) proves
once again that "every sentence [Bell] writes is a joy. His power is
exhilarating" (The New Yorker).
"Bell's impressive talents as a writer, which include endowing
settings with the significance of character, and a patient,
compassionate probing of injured souls, are on full display."
--Publishers Weekly
