I Didn't See This Guy When I was at Cades Cove. Review of Revelator

 

Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Of course, I never saw a "Ghostdaddy" while I was there. That might have changed my attitude toward the place.

Revelator takes place during the time when the farmers where slowly moving out of the area after the National Park Service bought the it, 1930's-40's. One strange family is reluctant to move away because they've got themselves their own god living in one of the caves. Add copious amounts of corn liquor, unfortunate sows,  a lady protagonist moonshiner who curses like a sailor (maybe curses more than a sailor,) and long lines of unusual, red-speckled girls and you have quite a story. A lot of interesting characters, including one who thinks he'll get rich off the mysterious "Ghostdaddy."  Religion and money; dang if people don't get in trouble over combining the two. It certainly causes trouble in Cades Cove.

An exciting romp through the Smoky Mountains. If the "f-word" bothers you, it's used a lot, sometimes several times on one page. It seems excessive for the time period this was set in, but I guess that was part of the main character's personality. The story seems set up for a sequel. 

Thanks to Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.