Just finished "Rivers" by Michael Farris Smith...An incredible 1st novel.....

[Rowdyboy]

?w=420

http://www.bookforum.com/review/12402

"Rivers is set in the post-Katrina Mississippi Gulf Coast after a climate shift has made much of the gulf uninhabitable. The federal government has given up. Rebuilding is simply too much work because the storms are relentless and growing worse. A line has been drawn, both literally and figuratively, and if you live below "the Line"—meaning, in this case, "a geographical boundary drawn ninety miles north of the coastline from the Texas-Louisiana border across the Mississippi coast to Alabama"—you are forsaken.

Cohen, the novel's protagonist, is grieving. He has lost his beloved wife, Elisa, and their unborn child. Cohen lives alone, below the Line, in the rain-sodden and moldy home he and his wife once shared, surrounded by the artifacts of their love. At times, it's not clear if Cohen is preserving memories of the life he had or punishing himself for staying below the Line too long while Elisa was still alive.

There are few people in Cohen's world. He keeps to himself; his only human connection is Charlie, a scavenger who makes his money by bringing much-needed supplies below the Line. Cohen has a horse, Habana, and a dog that has taken up with him. Mostly, he has his grief, and that grief overwhelms this novel. Cohen is a man who lives to mourn.

When he is robbed by two young drifters, Cohen is left for dead. He vows to avenge himself. When he encounters the assailants again, he stumbles upon a commune of women and two boys being held against their will by Aggie, a self-declared prophet hell-bent on building an army of followers by any means. Cohen is warily welcomed into the desperate community, but the situation is precarious. The storms are coming more fiercely, threatening everyone's lives; and then there is Aggie, who is just as deadly and who wants to lure Cohen into his machinations, one way or another."

The climax of the books takes place in a tiny town about 7 miles from my hometown so maybe I'm a little prejudiced but I really think I'd love this work regardless. Its among the best apocalyptic fiction I've ever read and I've read everything I could find in the field since 1966. If you have ANY interest in the genre do yourself a favor and check it out.

Michael Farris Smith is a name you'll see again.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. Thanks for the suggestion.

I really love good apocalyptic fiction, although I cannot say that I have read all that I can find. But I have read quite a few, some good, some not so much.

[Rowdyboy]

2. This is not a "formula" book. Its truly engrossing...I just stumbled onto it last week

in the new books at my local library and took a shot. I'm really glad I did.

[japple]

3. Many thanks for the suggestion. It sounds wonderful--a real find!

Will have to see if my library has it.

[japple]

4. Just finished this book last night, and it is as remarkable as you

said. Nothing formulaic about it. I loved the author's writing style--straightforward yet filled with nervous tension that made it a real page turner. The climax was riveting. Thank you for bringing this book to our attention. I look forward to Smith's next book.

[Rowdyboy]

5. I'm really glad you enjoyed it too. Isn't it exciting to find an excellent new writer?

Its been a month, I've read multiple other books, but Rivers sticks with me still.

[japple]

6. Have you read Wayne Caldwell's books, Cataloochee and Requiem by Fire?

Both are set in the NC mountains where the Great Smokies are located today. The author's considerable historical research is evident throughout. The storyline and characters are compelling.

If you like southern lit, a couple more suggestions: Dog of the South and True Grit by Charles Portis and Nightwoods by Charles Frazier. True Grit might well be the best book I've ever read.

[Rowdyboy]

7. Haven't read any of them and will definitely check them out. I have really eclectic tastes

in reading and plenty of time for it. Right now I'm into "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith (pseudonym of JK Rowling) and 2/3 of the way through Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy.

Checked our local library's on-line catalogue and they have all three books you mentioned so I should have no problem getting access. Thanks for the recommendations!

[japple]

8. I love Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy. I listened to it on CD or tape

after I had eye surgery. The reader did a beautiful job.

[japple]

9. A new series you might be interested in reading.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11935607