Product Description Preston Clearwater has been a criminal since stealing two chain saws and 1600 pairs of aviator sunglasses from the Army during the Second World War. Back on the road in post-war North Carolina, a member of a car-theft ring, he picks up hitch-hiking Henry Dampier, an innocent nineteen-year-old Bible salesman. Clearwater immediately recognizes Henry as just the associate he needs--one who will believe Clearwater is working as an F.B.I. spy; one who will drive the cars Clearwater steals as Clearwater follows along in another car at a safe distance. Henry joyfully sees a chance to lead a dual life as Bible salesman and a G-man. During his hilarious and scary adventures we learn of Henry's fundamentalist youth, an upbringing that doesn't prepare him for his new life. As he falls in love and questions his religious training, Henry begins to see he's being used--that the fun and games are over, that he is on his own in a way he never imagined.
Edgerton fans will be disappointed, others may notNovember 19, 2008 This is not to say that this is a poorly written book, or that the story is not interesting. It is to say that fans that have followed this writer know that he is capable of delivering so much more. "The Bible Salesman" hardly holds a candle to "Raney" and "Walk across Egypt." The submersion effect in "The Bible Salesman" is minimal coming off more like a quaint and cute tale that we observe from afar rather than being on the front row up close to the action.
This book reminded me of John Grisham's "Bleachers." Perhaps this was a story that the author always wanted to tell, but probably should have shelved it in favor of something more dynamic and stirring. Yet knowing that his publisher would publish it anyway, went ahead and wrote it. Good for the author, good for the publisher, not so good for devoted fans.
Even the jacket hype put me off. "The 'burial tuck' alone should make 'The Bible Salesman' a classic." The dead cat with a dead snake in its mouth and the subsequent action was at best amusing, and far from anything that will ever be deemed "classic." Also, I found Henry Dampier's final act in the book totally unbelievable and completely out of character, which may have been only used as a convention by the author to set up the reaction of the cops not buying Henry's story; to what, make it funny?
I'd say that if the reader really wants to get inside the seamy underbelly of the violent South, onto those dark back roads that no one travels at night, where unspeakable horrors abound, read something like Robert Paul Blumenstein's "Flirtin' with Jesus." That book is scary, not "The Bible Salesman." I will certainly read Edgerton's next book, and even the one after that. Edgerton is a great writer; however, "The Bible Salesman" is not a great book.
Pretty Good, I GuessNovember 3, 2008 A good book, nicely written. But it lacks any real punch. The plot is a nieve young semi-con artist is conned by a real criminal - but it all turns out well in the end. The characters are drawn well initially, but fail to be developed or deeply explored. No reason not to read it, but not one I'd recomend as a "must read" either.
Not Edgerton's bestOctober 14, 2008 I'm a big fan of Edgerton, particularly his earlier books _Raney_ and _Walking Across Egypt_. I found this book lacking. It has its moments, but on the whole, it's not his best work. I'm glad I used a gift card to purchase it, so I'm not out anything. If you can, wait for the paperback edition--it's not worth the hardcover price.
Bible sales is only incidentalOctober 13, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is little more than a series of adolescent anecdotes loosely knitted together by a thin and largely implausible plot. The description of the neighbor lady who could throw her voice to her cats was tedious and her son with the goiter simply became grotesque due to the young protagonist's facination with the condition.
Left wanting moreOctober 2, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This Southern tale set in the 50's blended adventure and place wonderfully - like the rest of Edgerton's books. I found the families interesting and the character's well developed but not belabored - you felt like you knew them just enough. I wanted the story to go on a little more - I wanted to find out more of Clearwater's background and what happened next in Henry's life. Which is a good sign in a book - you are left wanting more (rather than relief that you've finally finished). If this is your first book of Edgerton's you are off to a good start with many more great books to come.
