by Tina Haapala

Created on: June 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 10, 2009

You can't go home again? Well, that's just fine for Arlene Fleet, the main character in "gods in Alabama" by Joshilyn Jackson. She left her small Alabama town just about a decade ago for a new life in Chicago. Her old life constantly rattles her thoughts, however. She has made promises to God to keep her mindful of the sins she committed there.

Jackson wastes no time letting the reader in on Arlene's past impious behavior: jealousy, promiscuity, - and murder. All God had to do was keep the body she last saw falling down a crevasse of kadzu from surfacing, and she would never lie to another or lay in bed with another again. She stood firm with her side of the bargain. Her boyfriend, Burr, has been patiently waiting for her to explain the reasons behind her celibacy and her avoidance of family functions in Alabama. He's been tolerant of not becoming more a part of her life for a long time. Just as Arlene's past starts to catch up with her, Burr's indulgence is just about spent. The dominos start to fall and Arlene needs to scurry back to her Alabama past in order save herself and her future with Burr.

Burr is warned that Arlene's family will not approve of their relationship; the older white southerners in her family especially will have a hard time with the color of his skin. Arlene thinks it's only fair to warn her family about her interracial relationship a few hours before arriving. Her Aunt Florence, who has been trying to get Arlene to visit for years, thinks it's a ploy: "I guess now I am supposed to say, 'Oh no...you can't come home and ruin your uncle's special day, so scamper on back to Chicago with my blessing.' Is that your plan?" It wasn't Arlene's plan, but she was so set on stopping the woman from her past from asking too many questions, she would have been happy to have been disowned right there. That way, she could find Rose Mae Lolly and stop her before the truth came out.

Gods in Alabama alternates between Arlene and Burr's present and Arlene's past. The story unfolds as the reader learns about the death of Arlene's father, the loss of her mother's mind, and the aunt who tried to give her a family. Her cousin, Clarice, becomes her best friend and confidant. Clarice is beautiful and a year older, although Florence sees to the girls being in the same grade. When they start high school, they are only allowed to go on double dates. Arlene often ends up being the favorite date for the friend of the guy wanting to take Clarice out. Arlene's resents not being the one who is noticed, especially when it comes to her perfect love, Jim Beverly, whose bones she now prays stay hidden in the kadzu vines.

This is Joshilyn Jackson's debut novel. She has crafted a story that keeps you guessing and laughing. If it wasn't for Arlene's wicked humor, she may be less likable. But as her past unravels, we see her as damaged and possibly even a little heroic. When the secrets come out to play in the light, Arlene's family takes the spotlight as a strong and loyal group. And Arlene finds, although the road is bumpy, you can make it home again.

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