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Of God, Rattlesnakes, and Okra: A Preacher's Boy Tells His Growing-Up Story
A heaping slice of old-fashioned Southern storytelling, this book gives readers a taste of genuine American life that will keep them coming back for more. Join the journey as a preacher's kid survives his father's stern discipline, rattlesnakes, and harvesting okra. The deep-fried characters are unforgettable, and the furry and feathered folks will steal the heart of animal lovers. Soaked in faith, people survived the lean, mean times, thanks to the velvet hearts they carried under their calluses, hard work, the good sense to laugh at themselves, and, often, the hand of God. What a delightful legacy they left us! Once you pick up this book, you'll be pleading, "Don't stop now and don't ever grow up!"
258 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 13, 2014
Of God, Rattlesnakes & Okra by J. Bennett Easterly got off to a slow start for me. It is a collection of stories or memories of the author growing up in on a small farm in Prospect, Mississippi. He was a preacher’s kid and he learned a lot from his father about telling the truth, morals and the work ethic.
The reason for the slow start at the beginning is that I had heard many similar tales from my mother about growing up poor on a farm during the Great Depression. The work ethic was the same, respect for others was the same but the foods that he grew and ate were different. He hated okra because it could really tear up your hands when you pick it. My mother was enterprising as the author when she hired herself out to pick strawberries to earn a little money to buy fabric. She want some new clothes not the hand me downs that she got at almost the tail end of a large family. She gave up after a few days of backbreaking labor in the hot sun. She learned a deep appreciation for the people who didn’t have the option to quit that job.
A lot of what the author did in his childhood for survival of the family, that he didn’t have the option to skip. His father was very wise and taught his family many lessons and admitted when he was not right.
But the stories got more interesting when the author tells of his experiences with the accepted practices of race relations in the South and his father gave him a good education about the Klu Klux Klan and wrong that they were doing. The author was totally honest about his feelings. I loved the amazingly funny stories about the pigs and dogs on the farm. His family had some Choctaw in their family and they hid it, were ashamed of it. He tells how they didn’t speak of it. This is sort of a time capsule into the South and the Great Depression.
This isn’t a dramatic story, but rather a a collection of recollections, truly told. So even though it seems slow at the beginning, stick with it and you will be laughing and doing some heavy thinking along the way.
I received this Advanced Reading Copy from LibraryThing but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in my review.
The reason for the slow start at the beginning is that I had heard many similar tales from my mother about growing up poor on a farm during the Great Depression. The work ethic was the same, respect for others was the same but the foods that he grew and ate were different. He hated okra because it could really tear up your hands when you pick it. My mother was enterprising as the author when she hired herself out to pick strawberries to earn a little money to buy fabric. She want some new clothes not the hand me downs that she got at almost the tail end of a large family. She gave up after a few days of backbreaking labor in the hot sun. She learned a deep appreciation for the people who didn’t have the option to quit that job.
A lot of what the author did in his childhood for survival of the family, that he didn’t have the option to skip. His father was very wise and taught his family many lessons and admitted when he was not right.
But the stories got more interesting when the author tells of his experiences with the accepted practices of race relations in the South and his father gave him a good education about the Klu Klux Klan and wrong that they were doing. The author was totally honest about his feelings. I loved the amazingly funny stories about the pigs and dogs on the farm. His family had some Choctaw in their family and they hid it, were ashamed of it. He tells how they didn’t speak of it. This is sort of a time capsule into the South and the Great Depression.
This isn’t a dramatic story, but rather a a collection of recollections, truly told. So even though it seems slow at the beginning, stick with it and you will be laughing and doing some heavy thinking along the way.
I received this Advanced Reading Copy from LibraryThing but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in my review.
August 27, 2014
I laughed and cried my way through Of God, Rattlesnakes, and Okra by J. Bennett Easterling. The youngest son of a southern preacher tells about growing up as part of a poor family in the tiny community of Prospect, Mississippi. I enjoyed reading of his memories of a different time, when people (children included) worked hard and were were ready for bed at night. No one had time to say they were bored, there was to much that needed to be done. If children today could spend a week or even a day in that life, they might not be so quick to become bored because they couldn't find anything to do. I laughed as I read about Grannies sweet love and dobbers, yes that is how it was done before Gerber created baby food, I just never knew there was a name for it.
I highly recommend this book, about a time that has since passed but we can learn a lot from.
I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.
I highly recommend this book, about a time that has since passed but we can learn a lot from.
I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.
September 8, 2014
I was so excited to be selected for an early review copy on LibraryThing. This book was a collection of stories detailing what it was like growing up in the south as a poor, preacher's kid around the time of the Great Depression. Some of the stories were more entertaining than others but it was a great glimpse into what I imagine life was like for my parents and grandparents. It's amazing to me how poor some people were and how difficult it was to provide basic necessities. I love the work ethic and survival skills of these hard working southerners. I also loved the honesty with which the author shared about sensitive issues like inadvertently offending someone with a racial slur and gently being corrected or the fact that his grandmother was half Choctaw and how the family tried to keep her mixed race a secret out of shame. There were even some things I could relate to about my own childhood in the south and things I learned like the term scuppernong and how to get honey without a Wal-mart. Overall, I thought the book was delightful and it left me longing for simpler times.
September 19, 2014
This book was a very pleasant read. Some of the stories brought back childhood memories. Others were long before my time, but every tale was written in a way that made you long for the good old days.. In a simpler time and a simpler world a child's memories of that time long past are fun and memorable. The author is a wonderful story teller.
November 19, 2019
I live in this location, even though some of the events mentioned were before I moved here... it still holds my attention and is nostalgic for me to read about the community I've called home since 1963.
September 26, 2014
Very nostalgic.
I enjoyed this book immensely. The author wrote about times long ago when people in the South lived a much simpler life. I always love stories like this. If you are a person who enjoys remembering your childhood, I highly recommend you read this book.
I enjoyed this book immensely. The author wrote about times long ago when people in the South lived a much simpler life. I always love stories like this. If you are a person who enjoys remembering your childhood, I highly recommend you read this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews