Hot Fudge Sundae Blues

by Bev Marshall Narrated by Liz Morton

Overview

Critically acclaimed Southern author Bev Marshall portrays a family's struggle with forgiveness and change in her coming-of-age novel, set in 1963 Zebulon, Mississippi. When a handsome evangelist marries 13- year-old Layla's attractive mother, all seems idyllic. But soon her grandmother dies, her mother has a near-fatal accident, and a family member tries to rape her. After her mom interrupts the assault, Layla must do all she can to protect her-even consider perjury.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Layla Jay, the endearing young narrator of Marshall's third novel (following Right as Rain), fakes salvation at the age of 13 to impress a boy at church. Religious themes play a large role in this coming-of-age tale set in the early 1960s, but the story actually revolves around a different kind of faith-a faith in people and in family, despite all their flaws. Layla Jay leads a relatively happy life in her small Mississippi town, but when her flakey alcoholic mother marries a hypocritical revivalist preacher, their home is thrown into chaos, and Layla Jay comes to realize that God answers prayers in perplexing and often painful ways. In the scattered, melodramatic first half of the book, disasters befall Layla Jay and her family one after another: her grandmother dies, her mother survives a near-fatal car accident, and Layla Jay escapes her stepfather's attempt to rape her only when her mother finishes him off with a 7-Up bottle. The second half of the novel then deepens into an exploration of the consequences of deceit and the nature of familial love. Throughout, Marshall propels the story with all-too-human characters whose faults are enormous and whose mistakes are almost inexcusable, but who are never beyond forgiveness. Agent, Lisa Bankoff. 7-city author tour. (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Faking salvation to comfort Grandma is the beginning of 13-year-old Layla Jay's spiraling descent into a labyrinth of deceit in 1960s Mississippi. Layla Jay feels that she must compromise her soul because God-fearing Grandma is one of only two stable people who love her (the other being Mama, a curvaceous, Lucky Strike-smoking hussy who also loves men, music, and booze). What Mama really wants is a man to move them out of her parents' home, and she is not particular about her Romeo's credentials. Enter Wallace, an Elmer Gantry-like evangelist who's got something other than the Holy Spirit on his mind. When Wallace marries Mama, Layla Jay's haunting web of lies becomes more intricate and nightmarish. As in her previous novels (Walking Through Shadows; Right as Rain), Marshall has written another gem with rich, benighted characters whom small-town Southerners will recognize with affection or horror as one of their own friends, relatives, or unfortunate acquaintances. Marshall's natural Southern voice is a gift to readers who enjoy Sue Monk Kidd, Lee Smith, and Sharyn McCrumb. Highly recommended.-Mary Ellen Elsbernd, Northern Kentucky Univ. Lib., Highland Heights Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

From the Publisher

Praise for Bev Marshall’s Right as Rain

“One of those quietly absorbing stories that draw the reader right in and never let go . . . Reading this novel is like sitting on a porch in a summer breeze listening to an old friend tell you a story you know well but can’t wait to hear again.”
–New Orleans Times Picayune

“An old-fashioned Southern family saga and a page-turner, a wonderful blend of comedy and tragedy . . . These voices ring true.”
–Brad Watson, author of The Heaven of Mercury

JUN/JUL 06 - AudioFile

The voice of Layla, the Mississippi-born narrator of this audiobook, features not a drawl, but a sweetness and earnest innocence that captivate the listener from the opening line. Liz Morton infuses the young speaker with an eager-to-please purity and clarity, maintaining a balance between Layla's open personality and the cruelties of the world. Throughout the dramatic events that unfold in her life, Layla blends optimism with wisdom to overcome, or at least accept, the pain she encounters. Morton's reading of the central character is an ideal performance of that role--she captures the contrasts that exist between a child's world and the world at large. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171310837
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	02/24/2008
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos