Thursday, June 07, 2007

BETWEEN, GEORGIA

By Joshilyn Jackson


Before I even start blogging about BETWEEN, GEORGIA by the sublime Joshilyn Jackson, I want to publicly flagellate myself for not having read this book yet. I read Joshilyn's other novel, GODS IN ALABAMA, and did backflips over it. So what the heck am I waiting for? This is a writer who's got it all--intense, authentic characters, gripping plot, gorgeous language and a delicate touch for the nuances of human relations.

So okay, it's on my list!

Meanwhile, Joshilyn was good enough to play along with my GCC Does Hollywood game, and here's how she would pitch the book to our fictional producer:

The bitterly feuding families of a modern South Juliette and her redneck Romeo blow up the smallest town in Georgia.

Does this book have to be a movie or what? I hope Hollywood is paying attention.

Anyway, here's Joshilyn's dream cast:

Nonny Frett, our beleaguered heroine who was born into the trashiest family in town and then stolen and raised right by the ever-so-proper Fretts, I would cast– Dallas Bryce Howard, maybe? She looks right, and as an actor, there isn’t much she can’t do.



Henry Crabtree, Nonny’s best friend, would be Johnny Depp. No. Explanation. Needed.




Jonno, Nonny’s erstwhile husband … Brendan Frasier.




Bernese Frett Baxter – The Frett matriarch with an iron spine, a willful, red heart and feet of clay? Kathy Bates.



Stacie Frett. Nonny’s deaf blind artist mother -- Dianne Wiest.



Ona Crabtree – The opposing matriarch who is both drunk and crafty -- Glenn Close.


BETWEEN, GEORGIA is now available in paperback, so please do yourself a favor and run out to your favorite bookstore for it. Or, order online from anyplace that sells books, like Amazon, Barnes & Noble and BookSense. For more information, visit joshilynjackson.com.

No comments: