Foot Ways [Paperback]

Lynn Veach Sadler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2007

Lynn Veach Sadler weaves this coming of age tale with old wives' tales and a twist of menace to deliver a stunning, thoughtful story of youth and penance. Polly Junior never could understand why all the womenfolk in her sleepy little town would get so worked up over the arrival of Mr. Rufe. Why did everyone feel obligated to open their homes each year to this wanderer, who arrived each spring to the delight of the town ladies and the dismay of the town menfolk? Nothing is what it seems, and soon it becomes apparent that the seemingly harmless tradition carries a darker purpose.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a richly told tale, full of wonderful characters and heartfelt dialogue that makes the book an absolute joy to read." -- Clubreading.com, May 2007

"Foot Ways is a delicious book that left me wishing for more; it tasted of Southern Cooking and Southern Folklore." -- Rambles.net, June 2007

Subtle, endearing, and poignant, Foot Ways is an intriguing read from start to finish. -- ReviewCentre.com, May 2007

From the Publisher

More of Dr. Sadler's work can be found in the 2005 Bards and Sages anthology Bardic Tales and Sage Advice.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 84 pages
• Publisher: Bards and Sages (June 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615145639
• ISBN-13: 978-0615145631
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,213,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Foot Ways: A lyrical journey, September 9, 2007

By 

Peter A. Balaskas "author of "The Grandma... (LA, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Foot Ways (Paperback)

"Foot ways" is a wonderfully written tale about lost loves and the journey to find a sense of completion. Veach Sadler expertly balances the tale through a number of first person narrators, each one distinct and shines through their own strengths and weaknesses. Her descriptive power adds flavor to this "folktale about a folk tale." Excellent characterization, crisp dialogue and a vivid, lyrical narrative. A wonderful combination.

5.0 out of 5 stars As seductive as having one's foot kissed...., May 23, 2007

By 

Reader Views "Reviews, by readers, for readers" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Foot Ways (Paperback)

Reviewed by Tyler R. Tichelaar for Reader Views (5/07)

"Foot Ways," by Lynn Veach Sadler, is one of the most creative, whimsical, and enjoyable books I have read in recent years. It is a short book, but one written with a true precision of language and thought.

The novel is divided into five chapters, told alternately by Mary, her mother Polly, and Dan Asher. The story begins with Mary speaking as a young girl about the fuss the women of her community, including her mother, make when Mr. Rufe annually visits the community every spring. Mary, taking cues from her father, decides she hates Mr. Rufe, partly because Mr. Rufe gets more attention than her, partly because her family allows him to stay in her playhouse, and partly for darker reasons Mary can only sense without putting into words. Later, Mary's mother Polly speaks about her own history. While the entire book is enjoyable, Polly's narrative if definitely the most entertaining as she describes her upbringing and ultimately her marriage. The book then focuses on Dan Asher, a new character, who tells his own coming-of-age story which oddly enough revolves around the fact that his father is probably the only man who ever derived a foot fetish as the result of reading the Bible. Dan's involvement with Polly will later change her life.

I do not wish to go into too much detail about the plot for fear I will give it away. I will, however, say that this book is remarkably unique in its humor. It reads like a fable or old wives' tale. I felt as if I were alternately reading Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market," James Joyce's "Finnegan's Wake," old Scottish ballads, and Southern Gothic literature. Sadler creates moments of the grotesque such as Polly's father selling tickets for people to see her mother dying of cancer. People come from all over to see "The Woman Eaten Up," and when single men come, Polly hides for fear her father will force her into marriage with one. For me, the book's highlight was when Polly performed at the "Annual Masonic Lodge Number Fourteen Spring Jubilee Barbecue and Chicken Stew Supper and Theatrical Performance Tribute." That name alone suggests the whimsicalness of the event where people in the community go looking for a bit of culture. What happens at the (it bears repeating) "Annual Masonic Lodge Number Fourteen Spring Jubilee Barbecue and Chicken Stew Supper and Theatrical Performance Tribute" is the true climax of the novel.

My only criticism is that I thought the ending a bit rushed, and I would have liked to see more about Mary's relationship with Mr. Rufe. A few questions remained unanswered at the end, although that may strengthen the aura of mystery throughout the tale.

Besides being a talented novelist, the author, Lynn Veach Sadler, is also a poet and prize-winning playwright. Somehow she found the time to be president of a college, travel around the world five times, and still master the art of dialogue to a degree few writers achieve. Her characters' voices draw the reader in with the first few sentences, making the book difficult to put down. The reader reads not only to find out what Mr. Rufe's attraction is to the women of the community, but also because Sadler's prose is as seductive as having one's foot kissed. I recommend "Foot Ways" to everyone and intend to read more of Sadler's work soon.

Received book free of charge.