A review by theskyboi
Red Clay Suzie, by Jeffrey Dale Lofton
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Red Clay Suzie is Jeffrey Dale Lofton's debut novel, and I am more than grateful to have been gifted a signed copy of such an extraordinarily candid and heartwarming book. I was immediately enamored with Philbet's pure way of seeing the world around him.
As a fairly character driven novel, Philbet's story spans from his earliest memories of time spent with his grandaddy to his life later on in school and every little detail in between. I would be doing any potential readers a disservice by not mentioning how genuinely conversational this book's tone is; every moment feels like peeking into a personal diary.
Obsessed with Matchbox cars and his own pedal car, Philbet learns the ways of life among his closest family and friends, recounting memories inevitably tinted by the rich, red clay of his hometown. Quite simply, this tender novel is so incredibly atmospheric in the way it weaves together seemingly unrelated memories to create a tapestry of recollection.
Based on Lofton's own uprbinging in Georgia, he states that Philbet's story is, at its core, a version of his own life's story. Given this preface to the book, it is so evident that every page was painstakingly pruned to show the truth behind a unique upbringing of a gay boy within a seemingly rigid yet caring culture.
Since much of the book is best left unspoiled, I will simply mention that I immensely recommend it to anyone who likes to feel good when they read. Of course, Red Clay Suzie isn't without its own share of drama and sorrow, but what good story is? Hop to it, and rev your engines up for this must-read debut!
As a fairly character driven novel, Philbet's story spans from his earliest memories of time spent with his grandaddy to his life later on in school and every little detail in between. I would be doing any potential readers a disservice by not mentioning how genuinely conversational this book's tone is; every moment feels like peeking into a personal diary.
Obsessed with Matchbox cars and his own pedal car, Philbet learns the ways of life among his closest family and friends, recounting memories inevitably tinted by the rich, red clay of his hometown. Quite simply, this tender novel is so incredibly atmospheric in the way it weaves together seemingly unrelated memories to create a tapestry of recollection.
Based on Lofton's own uprbinging in Georgia, he states that Philbet's story is, at its core, a version of his own life's story. Given this preface to the book, it is so evident that every page was painstakingly pruned to show the truth behind a unique upbringing of a gay boy within a seemingly rigid yet caring culture.
Since much of the book is best left unspoiled, I will simply mention that I immensely recommend it to anyone who likes to feel good when they read. Of course, Red Clay Suzie isn't without its own share of drama and sorrow, but what good story is? Hop to it, and rev your engines up for this must-read debut!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Cursing, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, and Medical content