Review: My Only Sunshine

In the early 1960’s, Charlie Boone and his younger brother, Jute, live with their Memaw and Papaw in Red Church, Louisiana, because their dad’s in prison and their mom was swept away by a hurricane.   At least that’s what Charlie’s been told.  Memaw and Papaw are characters in their own right – Memaw has her own brand of justice and Papaw is paid by the government not to grow crops and is fascinated by “forces of nature.”  Uncle Dan returns home with Aunt Lona in tow, and the fun really begins.   Uncle Dan and “Aunt” Lona are schemers, trying to figure out how to strike it rich without working and just barely staying one step ahead of the law.

The air raid sirens go off one day, and the whole town of Red Church is convinced that they’re under attack – this is during the Cold War, after all.  It’s each man for himself and poor Charlie finds himself in a huge mess and this time he’s not sure he can get out of it.

When I saw that My Only Sunshine, by Lou Dischler, was endorsed by George Singleton, I knew I had to read it, and I was not disappointed!  This book is Southern storytelling at its best – absurd tall tales that hook you and reel you in.   You can’t help but like Charlie – he’s young and naive and he doesn’t totally understand all that’s going on around him.  His family is just a little bit “off,” and because of that he gets caught up in all kinds of crazy adventures.  You know the stories can’t be true, but you believe them anyway.

Uncle Dan is a whole other story – he’s old enough to know better and there were times I wanted to shake him and Aunt Lona – especially when he did things that would involve the whole family.

My Only Sunshine alternates between Charlie’s and Uncle Dan’s stories and it is great fun!  It’s a quick read, but it will keep you laughing throughout!  If you enjoy Southern storytelling and humor, you won’t want to miss this outrageous book!

Review copy provided by Hub City Press.  I am an Indiebound Affiliate.