Format: Softcover | Page Count: 168 pages Thank God for Boll Weevils is an in-depth look at the Southern soul as seen through the eyes of two God-fearing young women as they grow up in the early 1900 s, deep in the "Heart of Dixie"; Grabbing your attention with its charming southern dialect, the story entertains you with a rich wit and humor that is reminiscent of excerpts you might read from an old Mark Twain passage.The primary narrator, Janie Taylor, does a superb job painting the canvas of an era, of a people who once dominated the Post-Civil War South. Janie then draws you in to her close-knit family and community where a strong Christian moral presence is exhibited and leaves the reader yearning to live in such a time and place. Midway through, the book takes a unique turn as it dives into a historical fiction that merges with the factual accounts of George Washington Carver and others, whom by God s providence played an important role when faced with the invasion of a crop-eating insect called the boll weevil.
What will happen to the good people of Enterprise and Coffee County, Alabama, when their way of life, their culture, and their families are being faced with certain devastation? My Review:
"Thank God for BollWeevils " by Rhett Barbaree had me captured from page 1. The Prologue which is this " Pastor Seth always said we should make a Big Thank You to God List, and we should keep it going for the rest of our lives. " "When things ain't going your way and you're feeling down, you can pull that list out from wherever you keep it and remind yourself that Gawd is in the blessing business!".... " And then after you do that, I want you to take those lips of worn and instead of poor mouthing about the things you may be a facin at the time, I want you to start praisin Him for how He will turn all of it into somethin good. 'Cause folks, I want you to understand somethin,.......Gawd allows things to happen for a reason."
There is much more to the prologue but here is the summary, Pastor Seth goes on to say that the reason might not be understood then but when you finally understand them you will begin to lift these things up to Heaven and thank Him for the things you wanted to curse so bad.
This book has life lessons for all of us to heed. I thought about sharing them but then I thought no, If I share them, you might not want to read the book so I will just say Read this book and be blessed!
This is a story told mostly by Janie Taylor about her childhood in the Post-Civil War south when cotton was the main source of income and then tells how the boll weevils destroyed the cotton and then turns into historical fiction as the story of George Washington Carver and others emerge into Janie's life.
Sipsey also tells her story in a few chapters.
This is a story of how two girls from different races become friends as well as the story of how boll weevils changed lives in 1915.
I recommend this novel because if readers would take the lessons that Janie and Sipsey learn, I believe we would begin to look for the blessings when things happen that we don't understand.
I especially liked the preacher's take on how sin is likened to Samson's life! Ok, I got you hooked into wanting to read the story now, don't I. Take my word for it, you will not regret the time you took to read it.
Janie and Sipsey and other characters in the story had dreams and visions that at first they don't understand which is explained later in the story. I thought the interruptions were interesting.
There were a few lol moments in the story. These characters are ones that, if I could meet fictional characters, I would like to meet. I really would like to hear more of their experiences.
I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Christian's Women Affiliate. These opinions are my own.
About Rhett Barbaree:A life long resident of Alabama, Rhett spent his younger years growing up in Andalusia and Mobile before moving to Clanton where he attended Chilton County High School. After graduating in 1978 he attended Troy State University. His hobbies include old west & civil war history and on occasion, a good/bad game of golf. Self employed in marketing and advertising sales he once again resides in Clanton with his wife Amy and two children, Dison and Maci.
Thank you, Debbie, for your great review with author Rhett Barbara! I agree that we need to "begin to look for the blessings when things happen that we don't understand". We can trust God to pick us up and turn it around for our own good. He is faithful!
Thank you, Debbie, for your great review with author Rhett Barbara! I agree that we need to "begin to look for the blessings when things happen that we don't understand". We can trust God to pick us up and turn it around for our own good. He is faithful!
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