Go to Hell Ole Miss

by Jeff Barry

To what lengths will a father go to save his daughter?

Big John, a former POW in WWII, thinks women are smarter than men. The three women in his life agree, especially when he brags about knowing more Shakespeare than anyone else in Hope Springs, Mississippi. Big John is overly proud of the only seven words of Shakespeare that he The prince of darkness is a gentleman. When Big John and his wife learn their beloved daughter has been beaten to the point of death by the man Big John pressured her to marry, he needs only three of these prince, darkness, and gentleman.

Set in the Mississippi hill country in the early 1970s, Go to Hell Ole Miss tells the story of a father’s willingness to do almost anything to save his daughter from the Southern gentleman he had pressured her to marry. Almost.

For fans of Pat Conroy, Barbara Kingsolver, Wiley Cash, and Cormac McCarthy, Go to Hell Ole Miss is a historical family saga of hope and hardship, redemption and revenge, faith and doubt. It’s also a compelling Southern tale with characters that become people who make you laugh, cry, and think.

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Tupelodan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted this to be a 5-star rating. Nope. Excellent story but the storyline was very, well, disjointed. As another reviewer mentioned, it was difficult to keep up with who was who and I found that very distracting. I still don’t know which families a couple of characters belonged to, and I re-read several sections. Oh, well. A good story could have been told a lot better.

BTW, I grew up in North Mississippi and spent 50 of my 78 years there. Oh, yeah: I’m an Ole Miss alum and my father-in-law was a B-24 pilot in WWII and a POW.

[Shea Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barry writes his characters with a responsibility to their place and their people, and he delves into what it looks like when you can’t control what happens to those you love even when you are bound to them in loyalty and commitment. You don’t want to miss this cast of characters and the story that Barry weaves.

[Christie Bane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book on the new books shelf at Barnes & Noble and had to have it. (From the library, not from B&N.) Why? I'm not sure, I think because it was obviously a Southern novel and looked pretty original. Well, it was definitely Southern. Too Southern for me for about the first 2/3. Once I finally got the names straight -- Cookie, Slide, Shine, Salt, are these people, or coonhounds? -- then I realized that the story was great, the characters solid, and the Southern feel enchanting and not off-putting. BUT it did take me a while to get there. This is a part of the South (Mississippi) that I don't know anything much about except that I don't like driving through it and when I do have to drive through it, I always play Mississippi Squirrel Revival at least a few times. The Deep South is just DIFFERENT, and the Deep South in the 1970's when this book was set is even more different, but definitely never boring.

[Lauren Lindsey Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars. Good story but storyline a tad difficult to follow. Appreciated the north MS/Memphis references. And the title ;)

[Caitlyn Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was engaging from the start. Barry perfectly conveyed Mississippi culture and relationships like a true native. The characters were so easy to love and I hate that the book ended. It was a wonderful journey. A classic in my book!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Go to Hell Ole Miss is the best kind of Southern novel. The characters with all the flaws of their humanity just suck the reader into the story. They are quirky, aggravating, and endearing , and easy to cheer and root for when they triumph, mourn for in their flaws and disappointment, and even despise when they commit heartless acts. But most of these characters are realistic: They are all of these things, just as most humans are. Like most Southern literature, the family, race, and social relationships are complex, and honestly, I never got them straight in my mind. Halfway in, I finally just accepted that there were relationships and I just had to accept them. So that bothered me a little- that I couldn’t untangle these complexities, but I still enjoyed the story. Jeff Barry writes a great story!

Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for an an Advance Reader Copy.

[Sarah Bratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Go to Hell Ole Miss, Jeff Barry blends the sweet, slow lifestyle of Southern living with page-turning intrigue and gripping emotions. Barry wrestles with hypocrisy, parental responsibility, racism, Christianity, and suffering. He shows an impressive ability to address each topic with completeness and nuance, while still adhering to plot and character development.

The narration jumps back and forth between three main points of view, which can cause some confusion at first. However, Barry grabs the reader’s attention early, strong enough to keep an appetite for the story’s conclusion while the characters are being established. We are introduced to a wide range of personalities that engage you for the entire story.

[Barbara Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters in this very well written debut novel by Jeff Berry. I’m sure growing up in the South made this story so much more relatable for me than possibly someone from a different geographical region. I enjoyed getting to know each character and liked the way only chapters narrated by Slide were written in first person. I frequently read Christian fiction. And although this novel is not what one would consider Christian fiction, the theology that is taught by Big John and Cookie presents a powerful example of what faith and doubt can do. Great work Jeff Barry. I look forward to reading your future books.

[Jensen Jacquet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this one!! I’m typically hard on MS lit because it’s the same old story—racism, use of N word, division between races, poor plot lines, trying too hard on dialects, etc., but Barry had a new plot line that captured southern family ties and what people will do for their families, as well as brokenness from war. Highly recommend.

Not enough Ole Miss hating in the book for my liking, but I liked the source of the title. Interesting if actually based on a true story.

[Sarah Steen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this book up because I live in north Mississippi, love Mississippi writers, and have a deep love for this state and her people. I will read just about anything by a Mississippi writer. I wanted this book to be a solid 5 stars, bought it in hardback, and had high hopes. Unfortunately there were a few things that just made it too hard to love. First of all, there were a LOT of characters, with odd names and unclear relationships…I had to read and reread sections, and even at the end was unclear who all belonged to whom. Some of this casual familiarity is very common in the south…we will talk to you about our family members and our bug guys with equal expectations that you know and remember them all from one day to the next. But in this instance it was just too hard to keep up with everyone. Second, the nephew that narrated quite a bit (Slide?) was god-awfully obnoxious and not nearly as funny as he thought he was…however, since he was a 14 year old boy I have to think that Barry knew exactly what he was doing and give him props for excellent character development here. Additionally, the north Mississippi hill country setting would have been just as nice without the thinly veiled name changes….I think authors sometimes think they need to change the names of towns, counties, businesses, etc., when it’s really just another level of distraction (this probably has no bearing on someone reading that is not from this area). The story itself was good, sad and true, complicated and hard, with moments of joy and love, like real life. I think overall I enjoyed this as a debut novel but felt it could have been tighter, cleaner, and shorter. As a P.S., the story behind the title was clever, and I wonder if it’s based on a true story. Hail State!

[Bailey Montgomery · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m honestly confused by all the good reviews I found for this book. I grabbed it at a Barnes and Noble because of its beautiful cover and interesting title. I graduated from Ole Miss and have lived in north Mississippi my entire life, so I was excited to read about something close to home and support a local author; however, the most captivating part of this book for me was trying to figure out which county the fictional Hill County was based on. The author mentioned Oxford, New Albany, and Memphis, which I thought was cool. The story could’ve been so good, but I was so distracted by all of the many characters and perspectives thrown in. Speaking of the characters, why are they all named something weird? Salt, Slide, Shine, Victry. Very random, and it was pretty unclear about who was actually related or who belonged to who. The grown men in the book would just have tears streaming down their faces at the slightest thought of emotions. The southern men I know and grew up with never cry, much less in front of others. The dialogue was bad. The writing just felt all over the place. I was very disappointed with this one, but maybe I was trying too hard to compare it to my real life and the stories of small town Mississippi in the 50s-80s that I’ve been told from my parents and grandparents. The bit with the shed was cool, though.

[Kester Nucum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not going to lie, this book lost me half of the way through. Maybe it's because I started and stopped it so I could keep pace with book club.

First half, I was like, man, this book is so Southern and actually intriguing. As the book progressed, the characters nor the story just meshed well with me. Big John and Myles just don't feel fully fleshed out as characters, and some actions felt like they were pulled out of thin air. I did skim the final 1/3 in a night because I felt bored. It was fun and compelling at the beginning but just lost me in the middle. The pacing felt off, like it felt slow until the last 30 pages, and that was honestly underwhelming.

What's a bit disconcerting is that I've read the blurbs and met the author in person. To liken this book to The Things They Carried or say that the book is spiritual in nature is quite a stretch. I think if the author approached the plot line from either Big John or Cash's perspective, instead of Slide and Cookie, maybe this book might achieve the level of literary fiction it's claiming to possess.

Maybe the Southern atmosphere and characters are the strengths of this book, but just like the entire family situation, the plot and pacing and character depth felt messy.

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK REPORT
I’m pretty sure this book was an Amazon First Read pick for me, one I chose because I lived in Mississippi from 1988 to 1991 and in Memphis from 1991 to 1992 (the longest 11 months of my life, but that’s a story for another day).

I had some difficulty getting into the story because of the author’s use of dialect, but at some point it started to feel natural, as did the progression of the storylines, unfortunately.

Not a feel-good novel by any means.

I’m giving this book 3 stars because I thought the author did a very good job of capturing the essence of a certain time and place and some of the people (real and/or imagined) who lived life then. I remember feeling, thinking, and saying when I first moved to Mississippi that it was at least 10 years behind Alabama in terms of sociopolitical norms, if not 15 or 20. (In short: Racist as all fuck, weirdly and lawlessly violent, and quite open about it all.)

I can see where it might be hard for someone—let’s say a “more genteel” sort of reader—to buy into this story without having experienced at least some of that sort of stuff firsthand. Again, especially because of the dialect.

But hotty toddy gosh-almighty if it didn’t ring true.

[Anya Schwartz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve gone back and forth on whether to give it one or two stars. The fact is, the writing is so bad that I just can’t get past it.

The story could have been told in about a 1/3 of the pages. It could have been a too long story a family member told you over post lunch chats.

I could not figure out who was related to who and how for most of the book. I could not picture almost any of the locations.

I don’t care if it’s in the south. There’s nothing normal about a dad debating who his daughter will marry, even if Pearl ultimately decided herself. This was 1970, not 1830. I find it hard to believe.

I grew up and have lived most of my life about 100 miles from where this story takes place. So I feel confident saying this as someone from the area. I read southern lit. I love the genre. I know what good writing is. This isn’t it.

[Arlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is a solid effort for a first book. As the story opens, it takes a while for the reader to connect all the dots in the family relationships. Once you can sort that web out, the story picks up the pace a bit. I found Cookie and Shine to be the most authentic female characters. Slide, the teenager who tells the story from his point of view is also very relatable. Full of heroes and villains, this book makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens in the end. I do think the book is rather wordy and pontificates a bit too much. Spoiler Alert....As for the ending, as a nurse I find it hard to believe that Pearl was pregnant by Myles. Possibly this ending was the opening for another book about the Jackson family.

[Reviews from the perspective of a 66 year old moderate who won't judge you by your politics, but by how you treat others · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.
I really wanted to like this book. Its set in the deep south, which I love. And t had a good vibe about how we parents think we know what's best for our children and how our children don't think they want our guidance because they think they know their hearts better. And how we can both be so very wrong.
But two big problems. I live in the south and love it and its people. But not these people. Didn't like the people. And the dialog. I'm thinking it was meant to entice and pique curiosity, but for me, it didn't work. So much going around in circles. Got tired of it and just didn't care anymore.

[Thuressa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5⭐️s
I don’t remember how I stumbled across this book, but decided to give it a try.
Honestly, I was really confused throughout this book. I struggled to keep the characters straight and remember who was actually related. I think a good story was there, but there was just a bit too much going on.
I really enjoyed the last 50 pages where everything came together. I also enjoyed being familiar with the settings throughout the book as I currently live in Memphis.
Also, I wish there would have been more descriptors about the characters. Maybe I missed it, but I couldn’t picture these characters well or what they were wearing throughout the whole book.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Barry's narrative was at first confusing. Too many characters introduced too quickly. Started liking some about half way thru book. Suspenseful enough. An important piece of the time line does push it. Big John and his younger brother Cash have to be a good 20 yrs different in age, for the elder to serve when he did in WWII and the younger to serve in Vietnam. The story is told thru the eyes of different characters, with the name of the narrating character starting the chapter. It's an entertaining enough read. Moved fairly quickly too. 3.5 to 4 stars.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy southern literature for its wonderful characters, and this cast is deep and wide. I loved trying to figure out where the next turn would be. Discovering how folks were related and key background facts that were revealed along the way kept me reading along happily. I read the last 2/3 of the book in one sitting. While not as heart pounding as Grisham, I couldn't put it down because I cared about Big John. My favorite part was understanding the title...how it elicited hope...messy hope, unexpected and delightful!

[Jennie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think the reviews are really generous. There are too many characters too know who the hell is who. The names are mentioned in the way you'd say a cousin you'd never see but they had some folklore status in your family and you keep mentioning them. And I get it's the south but Jayzus the names are insane. And for the first 100 pages or so the father has such a hard-on for the daughter to marry one specific guy. Where is the daughter's perspective? This is one big jumble of nothing.

[Cassidy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m adding this to my all time favorites.
Jeff brings to life the beautiful reality that not all family is related by blood and portrays the depth of a father’s love in this astounding novel. His writing intertwined bits of history, faith, and the ways of the south intricately as the story of Big John and his brother Cash unfolds.
This novel had me laughing, crying, and relating in each chapter. I couldn’t put it down.

[Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go to Hell Ole Miss is a gripping, heartfelt Southern saga that blends grit, love, and justice in a way that sticks with you long after the last page. The characters feel like real people you’ve known all your life, the kind who make you laugh, break your heart, and challenge your thinking. Jeff Barry’s storytelling pulls you straight into the Mississippi hill country and doesn’t let go. An unforgettable read.

[Sherwood D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Go to Hell Ole Miss" is an awesome read that totally nails the vibe of Mississippi in the 70's. Jeff Barry's storytelling is super vivid and really pulls you into the characters' lives. The themes of hope, redemption, and family are woven in perfectly. If you love a good Southern saga, this book is a must-read. Highly recommend it!

[Harvey Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Go to Hell Ole Miss. The author does well to capture mid-Southern eccentricities and colloquialisms without a patronizing tone. The core of the book is a family's struggle to which I could relate. As I progressed through the story, I was surprised by several different twists and found that I read faster and faster the further I got into the book. This is a good one.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. I really enjoyed this story. I feel like it was a bit rough around the edges as a first novel, but the author has great potential for future books. Written by a Memphian telling a story that takes place in the northern hill country of MS, I could relate to many of the characters. The title weaves its way into the story so you understand exactly what it means in the narrative.

[Emily Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story itself fits into the "dysfunctional Southern family" genre, which I love.

However, the over usage of overly-contrived colloquialisms made it hard to read, at times.

The writing seemed to flow better towards the end of the book.

And I was started, but pleased, by the very astute semi-veiled politics statements of our modern day scenario.

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Jeff Barry provides a great representation of small town deep South. As a Memphis native, I could relate to some of the images shared. His characters come to life. He shows how love is strong but can also blind us. It shows some of the beautiful things about the Deep South--but also many of its hardships. I highly recommend this book!

[Cindy Boney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ole Miss Fan (Go Rebs)

This book represents the quintessential South, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I laughed and I cried, I couldn’t put it down. The characters were so well developed I felt their joy and pain as my own. You will feel like you’re on a rollercoaster ride the entire time. I highly recommend it to everyone.

[Ashley Shirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't Put It Down
This book pulled me in from the first page. The characters feel so real-like people I've met or even grown up with. Big John is flawed, stubborn, and deeply human. The story is heartbreaking at times but also full of heart. Jeff Barry does an amazing job bringing the South of the 1970s to life. I laughed, teared up, and kept turning pages late into the night.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Southern Than My Aunt's Monogrammed
Tupperware. If you've ever wanted to read a story where someone's pride is as big as their front porch, and revenge is served with a side of cornbread, this is your book. I didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or call my mama. Big John is a trip, and I'd let him ruin my family barbecue any day.