In the novel 'The Heavenly Table' by Donald Ray Pollock, set in 1917, readers are introduced to the Jewett family, particularly the three young sons, Cane, Chimney, and Cobb, who turn to a life of crime after their father's sudden death. The story also follows Ellsworth Fiddler, a farmer swindled out of his life savings, and a wealthy young man struggling with his sexual identity as they navigate their own challenges. The author skillfully weaves these narratives together, introducing a cast of quirky and dangerous characters, providing dry humor, sudden bursts of violence, and a mix of lively adventure and vulgar satire.

The Heavenly Table is a gritty and imaginative novel that delves into themes of poverty, crime, suffering, and redemption in a vividly drawn setting of 1917 America. With multiple perspectives, the story follows characters on independent paths that ultimately converge, creating a raw and abrasive narrative that keeps readers engaged with its unpredictable plot twists and unapologetically bold storytelling style.

Characters:

Characters are richly drawn, embodying stark realities of life while straddling the line between villainy and vulnerability.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by a brutally honest and humorous style, blending salacious imagery with sharp observation.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative intertwines two primary threads: the criminal evolution of the Jewett brothers fleeing poverty and their meeting with the beleaguered Fiddler family, highlighting their shared struggles.

Setting:

The setting in early 20th-century America significantly enhances the narrative, reflecting the challenges of rural poverty.

Pacing:

While generally fast-paced, the pacing sometimes suffers from the complexity of intertwining stories.

IN 1917, JUST as another hellish August was starting to come to an end along the border that divides Georgia and Alabama, Pearl Jewett awakened his sons before dawn one morning with a guttural bark th...

Notes:

The novel is set in 1917 during a time of social and political upheaval, including the brewing of World War I.

It features two main storylines: the Jewett brothers, who turn to crime after their father's death, and Ellsworth Fiddler, a struggling farmer in Ohio.

Pearl Jewett, the father, has a distorted belief that suffering is necessary to earn a place at the 'heavenly table' in the afterlife.

The Jewett brothers initially live a life of extreme poverty, hoping for a promised reward of laying hens from a wealthy landowner that never materializes.

After their father's death, the brothers commit crimes, including murder and robbery, becoming known as the Jewett Gang.

The novel contains over 72 short chapters, which some readers find makes it difficult to connect with the characters.

Pollock introduces other characters that complicate the narrative, including a sadistic bar owner and a sanitation inspector with a humorous physical trait.

The story is rich in dark humor and depicts a gritty southern gothic atmosphere, emphasizing the harsh realities of life for poor individuals in early 20th century America.

Pollock's writing combines violent imagery with comedic elements, creating a tone that some readers describe as both cringe-worthy and hilarious.

The title 'The Heavenly Table' reflects themes of suffering and redemption throughout the characters' lives.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include extreme violence, sexual content, mental illness themes, substance abuse, and depictions of racism.

From The Publisher:

In 1917, in that sliver of border land between Georgia and Alabama, Pearl Jewett ekes out an existence as a dispossessed farmer along with his three criminally-minded sons Cane, Cob, and Chimney. Hundreds of miles away, another farming family, the good-natured Fiddlers, have been swindled out of their family fortune while reeling from the disappearance of their son Eddie, who left to fight the Germans. When a crime spree sets the Jewetts on a collision course for the Fiddlers, an unlikely-and turbulent-relationship begins between the families. In the gothic tradition of Flannery O'Connor with a heavy dose of cinematic violence reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino, Donald Ray Pollock pens a bloody tale of dark and horrific conflict between two families in an era not so distant from today.

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About the Author:

Donald Ray Pollock, recipient of the 2009 PEN/Bingham Fellowship, made his literary debut in 2008 with the critically acclaimed story collection, Knockemstiff. He worked as a laborer at the Mead Paper Mill in Chillicothe, Ohio, from 1973 to 2005. He…

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The Heavenly Table

Donald Ray Pollock