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Formats
Ebook Details
  • 01/2023
  • 9798218129873
  • 314 pages
  • $4.99
Jack Cawthon
Author
The Prettiest Street in Savannah
Jack Cawthon, author

Set against the backdrop of one of America’s most beautiful and historically rich cities, The Prettiest Street in Savannah is a story of great loss and renewal, of high stakes and devastating secrets, of unrelenting values in the face of adversity. At its heart a coming-of-age tale, the novel sets its sights on an unlikely hero, Billy Ray Shuman, who works to secure a better future for himself and his brother, comes to acknowledge a number of hard truths about life, and discovers the power of true friends and family.  

Reviews
The fiction debut from Cawthon (author of Origins & Faith) lives up to its title with its beautiful juxtaposition of loss, empathy, and courage, all set in a neighborhood neatly sewn together by Cawthon’s warm storytelling. Present day Savannah is home to a low-income family teetering on the brink of ruin with matriarch Jolene terminally ill and son Billy Ray adapting to manhood as a teenager whose father has deserted them. Immediate concerns for his younger brother and dodging family conflicts weigh down Billy Ray from the start. Cawthon invites readers to walk alongside Billy Ray on his many trials, observing tough decision-making, reveling in the young man’s strength, and witnessing his maturation and the development of his moral character.

Bullying surfaces in many interactions between characters, a theme that does not discriminate on age, relation, or circumstance. Confrontations at school with peers occur frequently, while at home he faces all-too-common altercations instigated by his uncle. But vital moments of tender honesty between Billy Ray and his steadfast supporter Aunt Becky give depth to their family’s complex relationships. With direct prose and clear love for his characters, Cawthon blends sometimes painful realism with an abiding belief in resilience and the selflessness of the best of humanity.

Cawthon throws many obstacles at his protagonist, some devastating and violent. But through it all the theme of “how to keep faith in the face of fear” powers the story. The author’s also attentive to problems that can seem minor by comparison, such as Billy Ray’s embarrassment for being “some sort of freak” for having an old flip phone—later, it’s with the greatest elation that he receives a laptop as a Christmas gift. Such sweet moments bring solace. Readers who relish stories of good people finding their path, with prayer and lots of heart, will want to walk this street.

Takeaway: The ultimately heartening story of an impoverished Savannah coming of age.

Great for fans of: Rose Betit’s Sparrows, V. L. Brunskill’s Waving Backwards.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-

Olross, Pensacola FL

Uplifting Story Of Triumph Over Adversity

Coming of age under difficult circumstances. Plenty of suspense, perseverance and strength drawn from faith, family and community with a nice dose of local history thrown in at no extra charge. Delightful read with no preaching, politics or social engineering. Highly recommended.

Formats
Ebook Details
  • 01/2023
  • 9798218129873
  • 314 pages
  • $4.99
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