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The Fayetteville Observer, N.C., Meredith Jacobs column: Faith and a con-game mix in 'The Bible Salesman'Nov 01, 2009 (The Fayetteville Observer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The door-to-door Bible salesman serves Southern fiction writers well. The character provides tension, stirs up change wherever he goes, and serves as a warning that those who seem to be in the service of their faith are not always what they appear to be -- even in the Bible Belt. Flannery O'Connor's Bible salesman in "Good Country People" became the catalyst of an intriguing story when he wooed a woman with a wooden leg. The award-winning movie "Paper Moon" is set in Kansas, but it's a thoroughly Southern product at its roots. The screenplay was based on the "Addie Pray," which is by Alabama native Joe David Brown. The Coen Brothers held to a winning formula when they remade "The Odyssey" into the image of the South in "O Brother Where Art Thou." Big Dan Teague (played by John Goodman) was a Bible salesman and Cyclops. Now, Clyde Edgerton has done his part to ensure that the South will suffer no shortages of fictional door-to-door Bible sellers. His novel's character is Henry Dampier, a naive Bible seller caught up in the corruptness of others. If you haven't read the novel, autographed copies of the novel will be a part of the reception ticket during the Friends of the Library's fundraiser featuring Edgerton. The event is Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Edgerton's program will be "Wake Up Your Funny Bone: Readings, Stories and Music." Details are in the Book Events listings. Memoir Charles Collins of Fayetteville has written a memoir that includes examples of his poetry. His book, "The Living Soul," can be ordered through www. e-booktime.com. It's described as "the story of the life of Charles Collins, a man who overcame the challenges of growing up poor to join the Army and serve his country in Vietnam, marry, complete a Civil Service career, and ultimately found his way to a close relationship with God." "The Living Soul" can be ordered in hardback or paperback versions. Staff writer Meredith Jacobs can be reached at [email protected] or 486-3542. To see more of The Fayetteville Observer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.fayettevillenc.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Fayetteville Observer, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |