In Devil All the Time, the beginning story of Willard, His wife, and son Arvin is amazing. Between the poverty, rural setting and depiction of religion. The mothers harrowing battle and the desperation of the father. Arvin dealing with his fathers actions and his mothers health. Then you get hit with the prayer log.
I have read a ton of Southern Gothic and that story alone is as close to a Cormac Mccarthy Esque Southern Gothic tale ive read. It amazes me it is only the first act in Pollocks 300 pg novel.
It could have easily been a stand alone short story and I truly feel it would have been harolded up there with A Good Man is Hard to Find by O'Connor.
Its a great read for anyone who loves Mccarthy, Woodrell, Rash, O'Connor…
I also have seen the movie and the book is 10x better. Read it if you enjoyed the movie.
by Personal-Ladder-4361
1 Comment
Yes, his other book The Heavenly Table I also really enjoyed. Knockemstiff was also good.