A Land More Kind Than Home
By Wiley Cash
(William Morrow Paperbacks, Paperback, 9780062088239, Jan 2013, 336pp.)
The Short of It:
While this story had me sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering how it would all end, it fell flat for me.
The Rest of It:
It’s garnered a lot of praise so I was a little surprised when I closed the book and felt less than impressed. But in all honestly, this book has everything that I normally enjoy in a book, but perhaps it had to do with timing. I had just finished  a rather meaty book and the other book was still bouncing around in my head. Perhaps this contributed to my feelings over this book?? Either way, I’ll try to give it a fair shake here.
Jess and Christopher live in the small town of Marshall. Jess is the adventurous one and very protective of his mute, older brother Christopher. Christopher, thought to be slower than the other boys is often called Stump and when Stump witnesses something he shouldn’t, the results are disastrous for all involved.
The story is told by multiple narrators, Jess, Adelaide Lyle, the town’s midwife and Clem Barefield, the sheriff. As the midwife, Adelaide delivered many of the town’s children and because of that, she knows most of the kids and is familiar with their families. At least enough to know how they tick. When the town’s pastor, Carson Chambliss performs a snake charming ritual that goes wrong, Adelaide takes it upon herself to move the children to a separate Sunday school in order to protect them from what is going on in the main church. It’s clear from her actions, that although she doesn’t approve of what Chambliss is preaching, she is trying to respect his beliefs and the beliefs of others. But even with protection, something goes terribly wrong and Jess is left to deal with the heartache.
I think the main problem I had with this story is that I felt as if I was reading the story from a distance. I never really felt as if I got to know any of the characters, except perhaps Adelaide. She rang the most true to me out of the bunch and I enjoyed reading her parts of the story. The other thing that I didn’t care for, that I rarely care for in any book, is the strong religious aspect. I am a believer, but this book bordered on fanaticism and I just didn’t care for it.
What I liked though, and what I felt worked, were the alternating chapters. Had my brain been free to really focus on this book, I think I would have enjoyed it more as I did feel moments of intense emotion but in the end, it never hit the “love” mark for me.
Source: Borrowed.
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Book Chatter 
I started this one on audio a month or so ago, and didn’t enjoy the accent. I definitely plan to read it at some point. I think it’s my kind of story — whatever that means:)
I tried the audio after print wasn’t working for me and had the same reaction.
I picked this one up and read it at the exact right time I guess, because I loved it…the characters, the mood, the conflict, the prose. I blew through it. I assume the previous book you are talking about is Wind Up Bird? I’m finding it extremely hard to focus on anything right now. I’ve been reading the same book for three weeks, and I like it, I just can’t focus.
Wind-Up Bird was the book I was referring to. It messed me up for other books. I am just now able to read again.
Interesting reaction. I really liked it, but I liked it even more after I found it that it was kind of based on a story that really happened!
I just didn’t feel anything for any of the characters, which is so odd for me.
Yeah, this book lost me half way too.
I have to say – I listened to this one on audio and thought it was very powerful. The narration was really good.
The religious aspect really turned me off and then there was that other book that was floating around in my head. There were moments where I was really into it but then others where I could care less if I finished it. I was all over the place with it.
I had a similar reaction–the ending was definitely anti-climactic. I listened to the audio version which I think helped me to become more attached to the characters (well, Adelaide and Clem, anyway, as I didn’t care for the narrator who played Jess).
I switched to audio for a little bit and that is when I began to enjoy Adelaide’s story. The part about the mother and how she trusted the preacher just because he told her to.. blew my mind.
I’ve heard great things about this book, but this doesn’t seem like a good fit for me as I like to know the characters and feel them.
Many found this to be a powerful story but there are a few reviews floating around like mine. I am definitely in the minority though.
After a really awesome book, the book that follows always suffers. LOL I haven’t heard too much about this book and can’t say it speaks to me right now. It does sound like something I’d like though. Maybe down the road.
I’ve been planning to read this one and am actually happy to read your review… it tempers my expectations (and that’s a good thing).
I have had this for awhile but I am never in the mood to read it…now I know why…lol…
Sorry to hear this one fell flat for you. I was so impressed with Cash’s ability to string the tension out and loved the ending.