The Good Brother

The reader is given a glimpse into several fascinating cultures that are traditionally a well-kept secret. The lead character is at first a seemingly simple man leading a "hillbilly" life. Yet, in the face of adversity, he comes alive and you quickly realize he is exceedingly intelligent. The book drew me in and held my attention long after the last page.

Chris Offutt's "The Good Brother" tells the story of Virgil Caudhill's inescapable fate after his brother Boyd is murdered. Offutt's beautiful but terrible tale perfectly demonstrates the futility of revenge, and the unintended but inevitable consequences that flow from retribution. This moving novel showcases Offutt's ability for character development and perfect dialogue with a true "page-turner" plot. While some reviewers are critical of the novel's turn once Virgil reaches Montana, I think they are missing the point. Offutt has done a magnificent job of conveying Virgil's isolation and disconnect with the world once he's removed from his native Kentucky. It is a telling moment when Virgil's happiest time in Montana occurs as he bonds with his would-be assassin, a native Kentuckian. This Southern boy can tell you, that moment was real. Read this book. Offutt is a treasure.

Offutt's method is to draw you into the culture of both eastern Kentucky and western Montana. He lets everything build up to the point where you could almost see yourself in the shoes of the people that Virgil/Joe meets. I found myself agreeing with many of the militia members' sentiments, even though I (like Joe) found their methods and their thoughtless racism profoundly disturbing. Incidentally, if you liked this book you'll also like his book of short stories, Kentucky Straight. I also loved his memoir, The Same River Twice.

As the brother of the author, I could be said to be somewhat biased about his book, The Good Brother. On the other hand, I think I can safely claim that nobody else will understand it better. We grew up in Eastern Kentucky, where the first half of this book is set, and nobody has ever bestowed a more accurate description of modern life in the hills from an inside perspective. Every detail was carefully crafted and derived from real events and actual people. If you have ever lived in or near the Appalachian hills, you will see reflections of your memories, drawn in a stark, cutting, way. If you have not, then this book will show you the dark side of Appalachia, including the poverty, the simple joys, and the hopelessness of a culture that has been transformed from being based on pride to being based on welfare. Of course, the point of the book is not about Eastern Kentucky culture, but about the current anti-government culture. The book expresses the positive side of this movement, the allure of the extremists, and makes you understand how this movement has been able to grow from origins in Vietnam and the cold war. These essential points are presented as sidepoints to a moving story about a dead man and his good brother.