Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
paperback 272 pages
published by Harper Perennial June 1st, 2011
ISBN-13: 9780060594671
Type: {Airplane Read: makes time fly.}
Rating: {An Unputdownable: Couldn’t eat or sleep until I finished this book.}
Why You’re Reading It:
- You enjoy a well written book and a compelling plot
- You find unique characters refreshing
- You love the South, and the books that feature it as a character
- A well thought out mystery keeps you turning pages
What I Thought:
Wow. Wow, wow, wow. I have been texting my friends telling them to go get a copy of this book for book clubs, airplane trips, or just sitting on their porch and reading this weekend. I devoured every word of this; part character study, part mystery, part exploration of a small town in Mississippi. How to get you to read this? I’m not sure what to say that would convey the message.
This story explores how misconceptions can break a person but not their soul; how important it is to tell the truth, tell the truth, tell the truth; how sometimes the most beaten down people can be the most loving — and how sometimes they can be the most disturbed. It will make you feel love for someone who, if you actually lived in this fictional town, you would probably fear. It will make you wonder who you are ignoring, neglecting, judging. It will make you think about how much you ridicule and isolation you could endure if made to do so.
Interwoven in the richness of the characters and their plights is a mystery; about a girl who went missing 25 years ago and another who went missing in the past few weeks. What happened to these girls, why it happened, and the effect it caused on the people left behind will have you tearing through the pages of this incredibly readable, short novel.
Please read it — and do so before they make the movie; the rights have been bought and it is being optioned (thanks to Jaydek for giving me the insider info on that). It will make an incredible film (I see awards here), but there is so much that they won’t be able to capture. So read it this summer, you won’t be sorry.
*One last thing: I will forgive Tom Franklin for using my name the way he did. But looking forward to someone, someday naming a charming, lovely, female character ‘Wallace’.
About Tom Franklin 
Tom Franklin is the author of Poachers, Hell at the Breech,and Smonk. Winner of a 2001 Guggenheim Fellowship, he teaches in the University of Mississippi’s MFA program and lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife, the poet Beth Ann Fennelly, and their children.
Thank you to TLC Book Tours for allowing me to be part of this, and to the publisher for sending me a copy of the book. See links to more reviews of this book here.
What a fantastic review! I was offered the opportunity to read this book, but despite all the positive reviews I had read about it, I wasn’t really all that interested in it or convinced it could be that good. Your review has me kicking myself! This sounds so engrossing and intriguing…. Curses!
I have that happen all the time; there are just too many books to choose them all. I recommend buying or borrowing this one when you get a chance though!
Your review is really cruel : all what you say about the book is tempting !!
).
A few months ago, I warned my English bookshop that the paperback release was for July. I hope the guys have already pre-ordered the book, otherwise I’m going to be nuts (even if, in fact, I’m out of cash… But knowing the book is there, on the “good” side of the Atlantic, would be a relief
Haha! I’m thinking about it I want to keep this one or not, if not – I’m sending it to you. I also found an $8 copy on BookDepository.com and they have free shipping anywhere in the world. (Have you ever looked on that site)?
I didn’t know BookDepository : thanks for the information ! The books are slightly less expensive than on Amazon. For the moment, I’ve just registered and created a wishlist
But, concerning the Franklin, it seems that you have been texted lot of your friends recently 
I’ve just re-read your review and your enthousiasm reminds me why I love reading…
This looks great and my library has it! Thanks for the post!
Kim
Thanks! Lucky you — go grab it!
I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of this at the Random House Tea during BEA and have really been wanting to get to it (actually for months prior to that). Need to read asap!
Yes, you do!
Everyone is buzzing about this book. Obviously for very good reason. I’ve added it to my TBR list, but I’ve decided to put off any new reading until I finish what I’ve got on hand right now. TOO MUCH PRESSURE.
Ha!
I completely understand that. Keep this book in mind for when you want to spend the weekend with a book. It’s quite a page turner and you’ll want to be able to read it in long doses!
Great review! Didn’t know they were making a movie–so hope they don’t screw it up because this one really is brilliant.
So glad you liked it too! Hopefully they will do a good job – but even so, I think there are little things that movies can never really portray. That’s the beauty of a book.
I don’t think you could have written a more positive review! I admit that I’ve been on the fence about this one (only because it isn’t a genre I usually gravitate to) but your review has convinced me to give it a try.
Thanks so much for being on the tour!
PS. I featured your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.
Thanks! Yes, give it a try and see what you think. It surprised me.
This was such a great post Wallace! Loved your enthusiasm for this book – makes me wish I’d picked it to read for TLC! I’m wondering why I passed on it. Well, it doesn’t matter, because your post made me realize I need to read this book (before the movie comes out). Thanks!!
To be honest, I had a friend’s mom tell me that it was something I should absolutely read otherwise I probably would have passed it up to. Definitely read the book — I think you might like it.
I *heart* Southern Lit and this one goes straight to my wishlist. Although… how many books about missing girls can the world support?!
I know, isn’t that the truth? This one is about more than the missing girl, so there’s more to it to keep it going.
I read this book a couple of months ago. It was amazing. I have this on my “To Read Again” pile. Also great review.
Cathy
Thanks! Glad to know I’m in good company.
This book sounds perfect for me. I must get to it soon!
It’s very good… and a quick read to boot!
Great review and I agree! I also agree about needing to read the book before the movie comes out. I would hate it if those characters were stuck in my mind as the faces of actors…..
Yes, I would almost feel robbed if someone else created them for me, especially Larry.
I’m so glad that you loved this one! I’ve been thinking of reading this for a long time, borrowed it from the library thrice but never got to it yet! Can’t wait to read it!