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Lost Cain
CAIN MCALLISTER'S birth on the bank of the Mississippi River during an earthquake becomes a small-town story of infamy and forever changes the strong, troubled women who love the little boy.
Though shunned and bullied throughout his childhood, hope arrives when a new preacher and his family move to town and Cain finds what he has always longed for - a best friend. The fate of the friendship takes a deadly turn when a young girl with a secret comes to visit and the tiny town in the Arkansas Delta ignites into spiritual revival.
Lost Cain points a microscope at the political brand of Christianity taking root in the 1960's and 70's, illuminating the "Culture Wars" in a way that is poignant and impossible to ignore. All the hot button issues are here, yet they're explored with such a gentle bluntness that even the most inflammatory events feel natural, justified and believable.
Lost Cain will make you laugh, then cry, then laugh again - a hilarious, tender look at a fading town struggling against both the encroaching waters of the Mississippi River and the coming cultural change in small-town America.
Though shunned and bullied throughout his childhood, hope arrives when a new preacher and his family move to town and Cain finds what he has always longed for - a best friend. The fate of the friendship takes a deadly turn when a young girl with a secret comes to visit and the tiny town in the Arkansas Delta ignites into spiritual revival.
Lost Cain points a microscope at the political brand of Christianity taking root in the 1960's and 70's, illuminating the "Culture Wars" in a way that is poignant and impossible to ignore. All the hot button issues are here, yet they're explored with such a gentle bluntness that even the most inflammatory events feel natural, justified and believable.
Lost Cain will make you laugh, then cry, then laugh again - a hilarious, tender look at a fading town struggling against both the encroaching waters of the Mississippi River and the coming cultural change in small-town America.
312 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 29, 2015
I really enjoyed this book although it did take me a little time to adjust to the writers style of writing which included writing from different characters perspectives. He switched characters often and there are so many that it takes a little effort to keep them straight. Once you do though, it flows and one can even feel the mood of the chapter just from the characters name at the beginning. Mr Wright pegs small town in the Delta perfectly. I could even feel his love/hate relationship which ekes out subtlety throughout the book.
The story is rich and complete with many surprising details that someone unfamiliar with the area would never have included. I loved that he didn't stop with just stereotypes but added unpredictable story line as well. I felt joy, disappointment and confusion just as Cain was experiencing it. I found myself today thinking about Cain, Macy and Mark as well as the other characters.
The only thing I didn't really like was that, although the Baptist church is pretty accurately represented, he left off genuine believers. In his story he presents either "you are a sinner and going to hell" or "I don't believe that so I am more enlightened than you". There are no "I believe in God's all encompassing love AND even though I don't understand everything I am going to trust His word"
Read it! It has a nice after taste that sticks with you and keeps you thinking after you lay the book down.
The story is rich and complete with many surprising details that someone unfamiliar with the area would never have included. I loved that he didn't stop with just stereotypes but added unpredictable story line as well. I felt joy, disappointment and confusion just as Cain was experiencing it. I found myself today thinking about Cain, Macy and Mark as well as the other characters.
The only thing I didn't really like was that, although the Baptist church is pretty accurately represented, he left off genuine believers. In his story he presents either "you are a sinner and going to hell" or "I don't believe that so I am more enlightened than you". There are no "I believe in God's all encompassing love AND even though I don't understand everything I am going to trust His word"
Read it! It has a nice after taste that sticks with you and keeps you thinking after you lay the book down.
August 31, 2016
A very absorbing book
Surprisingly engrossing. Very believable characters and dialogue that encompasses the pettiness and judgmental behavior that can fire the emotions of small town lives.
Surprisingly engrossing. Very believable characters and dialogue that encompasses the pettiness and judgmental behavior that can fire the emotions of small town lives.
September 30, 2015
Loved this book.
July 4, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book.
October 3, 2016
Enjoyed the read, but just really didn't like the ending.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews