Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson; read by Joshilyn JacksonBack-of-the-box blurb: Rose Mae Lolley is a fierce and dirty girl, long-suppressed under flowery skirts and bow-trimmed ballet flats. As “Mrs. Ro Grandee” she’s trapped in a marriage that’s thick with love and sick with abuse. Her true self has been bound in the chains of marital bliss in rural Texas, letting “Ro” make eggs, iron shirts, and take her punches. She seems doomed to spend the rest of her life battered outside by her husband and inside by her former self, until fate throws her in the path of an airport gypsy—one who shares her past and knows her future. The tarot cards foretell that Rose’s beautiful, abusive husband is going to kill her. Unless she kills him first.
She Is Too Fond of Books’ thoughts: Rose Mae Lolley is clever and strong, doing what she needs to do to survive an abusive marriage in Amarillo, Texas, one she thought would save her from living on the run from an abusive father. When a tarot-reader in the airport exposes the truth, Rose Mae hesitates, but, the idea that she has the power to change her future has been firmly planted, and Rose Mae may have finally had enough of her husband, Tom, and his meddling family.
Rose Mae’s journey takes her and the reader/listener into a past where childhood dreams were shattered early, then looking toward a future of changes. She has few friends from past or present, and must rely on inner strength, instinct, canine support in the form of her 3-legged dog (Fat Gretel), and sometimes, the kindness of strangers.
This is the first Joshilyn Jackson book that I’ve read, and was pleasantly surprised by the depth and intricacy of the plot, and loved the characters (and those characters I hated get full credit for being so well-developed and real). The novel is written from Rose Mae’s perspective, and her sharp wit and patter of thoughts allows Jackson to temper the scenes of domestic abuse, which is the underlying motivation for the character’s growth throughout the novel.
Jackson allows her characters to gain strength from traditional religion and prayers, as well as seeing inner strength via meditation and exercise similar to tai chi. I really appreciated this ‘different strokes for different folks’ approach to a ‘higher power’, and felt it made a statement without hammering it into the reading. The significance of the title, and dichotomy of Saint Sebastian vs. Saint Cecilia, is revealed in the novel.
The audiobook is read by the author, whose southern accent belies the often serious themes of the book, making it palatable for those who might shy away from a story of abuse. Kathy at BermudaOnion, tells me that she has loved every Joshilyn Jackson books she’s read, and that Gods in Alabama is her absolute favorite. There’s a brief author’s note at the end of Backseat Saints, in which Jackson tells us that Rose Mae is a character who is introduced as a minor character in Gods in Alabama; many, many readers wrote to ask Jackson what became of Rose Mae, and Jackson sat down one day to start writing … and to find out the rest of her story!
Great review. I’ve been needing to pick this one up, as it’s been languishing for months.
Wonderful review, Dawn! I have been reading such good things about this book and am really excited about reading it. I think it’s cool that the main character in this one also appeared as a satellite character in one of her other books as well. I am really goad you liked the book and I will be looking forward to it!!
I LOVED this book. I actually read it (I am not a fan of audio books). I too want to read more from this author and have heard high praises for Gods in Alabama, which will be my next foray into the writing of Joshilyn Jackson.
Here is a link to my review:
http://www.gerberadaisydiaries.com/2010/07/book-review-backseat-saints.html
This was my first time reading Joshilyn Jackson as well and I really liked a lot that you mentioned about the book. EVeryone was marvelously drawn and complex. I really want to read Gods in Alabama now.
SKrishna – I was pleased that the novel was much ‘meatier’ than I expected; not dark, but more intense. Joshilyn Jackson’s reading of her own words was fantastic!
zibilee – yes, I plan to read GODS IN ALABAMA before the summer is over
Melissa – Thanks for linking to your review … do you plan to read GODS IN ALABAMA as well? I got into the rhythm of audiobooks about 6-9 months ago. Was using them only when on the treadmill, but now I multitask when doing housework as well (if the kids aren’t home to chat with me).
Nicole – I realize I had a misconception about “southern fiction”, that it was all ‘nice’ stories. This is a great story, but with a definite serious side!
What?!? You haven’t read gods in Alabama yet?
There was an excerpt in the back of Backseat Saints from gods in Alabama…the scene with Rose Mae, which I had totally forgotten. It was interesting to see her from a different perspective.
Dawn….I loved this one as well (print version). I also liked her first book, but have not read the second.
Sorry I forgot to mention that my daughter is going to be in Newberryport (yarn shop) for a trunk show on 9/11, in case that worked for you.
Geez, am I feeling left out of things here! Has everyone read something from this author? I’m going to toddle on over to my beloved library website and see what they have in the way of audios. I’m impressed that the author reads her own, and pulls it off!
I imagine Joshilyn has the perfect accent to read this book, especially since she has a theater background. You must read Gods in Alabama now!
I’ve only read her “The Girl Who Stopped Swimming” but everyone says these two others of her are the best ones. I think I’ll have to read both of them.
softdrink – I promise to read it this year!
Bibliophie by the Sea – If you do listen to audiobooks, her narration is phenomenal
Thanks for letting me know about the Newburyport show; I bought NEW ENGLAND KNITS at our local bookshop and sent it up to my sister. She was thrilled to hear the backstory, and to know where the photos were taken.
Sandy – you will love it. I promise!
Kathy – accent? what accent?
Jenners – I haven’t read THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING, so I can’t opine. But … I’ll opine on BACKSEAT SAINTS – much deeper than I expected; really liked it! (and you can read all the thumbs up from other commenters
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I haven’t read anything by this author, and I’m thinking that’ll have to change. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book.
I love her books and lucky me — the audio appeared in my mailbox yesterday! Can’t wait.
I have been wanting to read this book – I have seen quite a few excellent reviews.
I hope you will have time to come by and visit one of my two blogs: Holocaust Resources or Library Cats Book List !!
Have a great weekend!
I love when the author’s read their own books. This one is on my wish list already so I’ll have to look for the audio.
Anna – really, a much more involved book than I was expecting! I’m looking forward to reading GODS IN ALABAMA next
Beth – I think you’ll like both the plot and the narration
Donna – thanks for stopping by … yes, I’ll be ‘visiting’ you
Stacy – Others I’d recommend (authors reading their own books) are Susan J. Gilman (UNDRESS ME IN THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN) and Malcolm Gladwell.
[...] did I read it: The first novel by Joshilyn Jackson that read (listened to) was Backseats Saints, which took me by surprise in the most positive of ways. I commented on the “depth and [...]