Oh how often have I sung the praises of Sean Dietrich aka Sean of the South on my blog? Too many to tag, that is for sure. I was introduced to Sean’s writing years ago by my best friend, Ann, and over the years I have followed his career and enjoyed his daily posts as well as his books. Guess what? Come November fans will be able to get his latest novel, Kinfolk, from their local bookstores and it is one to not miss.
The book description is as follows:
Sometimes it’s the most unlikely meetings that give us life’s greatest gifts.
1970s, Southern Alabama. Sixty-two-year-old Jeremiah Lewis Taylor, or “Nub,” has spent his whole life listening to those he’s loved telling him he’s no good—first his ex-wife, now his always-disapproving daughter. Sure, his escapades have made him, along with his cousin and perennial sidekick, Benny, just a smidge too familiar with small town law enforcement, but he’s never harmed anyone—except perhaps himself.
Nub never meant to change his ways, but when he and fifteen-year-old Waffle House waitress Minnie form an unlikely friendship, he realizes for the first time that there may be some good in him after all. Six-foot-five Minnie has been dealt a full deck of bad luck—her father is a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, her mother is dead and buried, and she has a Grand Ole Opry-worthy singing voice with no place to perform. Oh, and there’s the small fact that she’s unexpectedly pregnant, courtesy of a no-good high-school boy.
Gradually, Nub realizes the gift he’s been given: a second chance to make a difference.
Beloved Southern writer Sean Dietrich, also known as Sean of the South, once again brings people and places to life in this lyrical song-turned-story about found family, second chances, country music, and the poignant power of love and forgiveness.
Book Jacket of “Kinfolk”
Do you see why I might have been drawn into this book even if Mr. Dietrich had not been the author? I loved it. It was hard at times to read it because of the subject matter but as always our favorite writer handles the tough topics with humor and wisdom and the reader is blessed with a story that sticks with them long after it is finished.
Here is my own review:
I feel I must start this review with a disclaimer. Sean Dietrich is my favorite present day author. With that being said, I do try to be objective when I am reading a book for review purposes. If I hadn’t been reading this for review, however, my reaction and review would be the same.
Sean Dietrich, also known as Sean of the South, writes from the heart. Whoever said that writers write what they live would reinforce this idea after reading Sean Dietrich’s latest book – “Kinfolk”. Full of emotion and characters who are so real the reader feels that they are best friends by the end of the book, this book is one that is easily read in one sitting. Once I started it, I just could not stop.
The book starts with a very difficult scene – a suicide and the grief that follows in a small Alabama town in the 1970’s. If you are familiar with Mr. Dietrich’s back story you can understand that that is a real and personal subject matter to him and one that he writes about often. But just like the author, the main character, Nub, is able to overcome the sadness and the life situation that he found himself in and is eventually able to live a life with love and happiness.
This is not an easy book to read at times due to the themes of alcoholism, suicide, loss, racism, and crime but the overall theme is love and that is indeed the message that the reader comes away with in the end. Redemption prevails as a strong theme and what a joy it is to read this book to see how the story unfolds.
The author has a unique way of telling a story. His true Southern charm bleeds through every page and his witty descriptions had me laughing out loud several times. He definitely knows how to evoke an image in your mind as you read with his descriptions.
The main characters, Nub, Emily and Minnie are so well defined and described that it was easy to fall in love (and sometimes dislike) at their antics and actions. They are just plain folk who are the type of folks that we run into every single day in our lives. Thankfully these were ones that were not ignored and it reminded me that each and every person has worth and value in this world despite their circumstances. Sometimes we need to be reminded of that.
If you have the chance to read this book I would highly recommend that you pick up a copy. Better yet, get an audiobook so you can hear the author read it to you in his own voice. This was one that I listened to at regular speed and did not speed up because I wanted to enjoy every drawn out word and hear every inflection of Mr. Dietrich’s voice.
Huge thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me an advance copy for review. This is my honest review of Kinfolk.
Pre-order it today at your local bookstore or online here.
