What do a trigger-happy bootlegger with pancreatic cancer, an alcoholic helicopter pilot who is afraid to fly, and a dead guy with his feet in a camp stove have in common? What are the similarities between a fire department that cannot put out fires, a policeman who has a historic cabin fall on him from out of the sky, and an entire family dedicated to a variety of deceased authors? Where can you find a war hero named Termite with a long knife stuck in his liver, a cook named Hoghead who makes the world’s worst coffee, and a supervisor named Pillsbury who nearly gets hung by his employees? Sequoyah, Georgia is the answer to all three questions. They arise from the relationship between A. J. Longstreet and his best friend since childhood, Eugene Purdue. After a parting of ways due to Eugene’s inability to accept the constraints of adulthood, he reenters A.J.’s life with terminal cancer and the dilemma of executing a mercy killing when the time arrives. Take this gripping journey to Sequoyah, Georgia and witness A.J.’s battle with mortality, euthanasia, and his adventure back to the past and people who made him what he is - and helps him make the decision that will alter his life forever.
The Front Porch Prophet
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Editorial Reviews
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Amidst humorous dialogue and unusual townsfolk, Atkins weaves a tale that will have the reader hard-pressed to set the book down. --Diane Kidman, Carpe Libris
The dialogue is some of the best ever written. It is natural, true to each character, and so funny in places readers will be hard pressed to stifle their laughter. --Maryann MIller, Blogger News Network
Atkins is the new Twain. --Ken Anderson, Author, Someone Bought the House on the Island
It has been awhile since I've read a book that so fully captured my attention that I wasn't able to put it down until the end. --Rebecca Adler, The Inside Cover
Front Porch Prophet is an incredible novel. --Joanne Mosher, Book Zombie
The dialogue is some of the best ever written. It is natural, true to each character, and so funny in places readers will be hard pressed to stifle their laughter. --Maryann MIller, Blogger News Network
Atkins is the new Twain. --Ken Anderson, Author, Someone Bought the House on the Island
It has been awhile since I've read a book that so fully captured my attention that I wasn't able to put it down until the end. --Rebecca Adler, The Inside Cover
Front Porch Prophet is an incredible novel. --Joanne Mosher, Book Zombie
"With a knack for storytelling, a sly sense of humor, and a Faulkneresque sensibility, Ray Atkins enters the literary scene with aplomb, and he plans to stay." —Melanie Sumner, author, The School of Beauty and Charm & Polite Society
"A world of Southern quirkiness . . . with Atkins' unique voice leading the way into and through the tradition of quirky characters doing quirky things in quirky ways." —Kenneth Robbins, author, In the Shelter of the Fold
"I don't have to be a prophet to predict you'll adore this book." —Man Martin, author, Days of the Endless Corvette
"Atkins is the new Twain. . . . This is what you get when you blend the best sense of humor in the world and the biggest heart: The Front Porch Prophet." —Ken Anderson, author, Someone Bought the House on the Island and The Statue of Pan
"Raymond L. Atkins whisks the reader into a world of Southern quirkiness . . . leading the way into and through the tradition of quirky characters doing quirky things in quirky ways." —Kenneth Robbins, author, The City of Churches and Buttermilk Bottoms
"I laughed out loud, chuckled, grinned, felt sad, found hope, and burst into tears. . . . That's pretty powerful writing to my way of thinking." —Terre Gorham, editor, Memphis Downtowner Magazine
"A deep poignant look at friendship in a small Georgia town. . . . Fans will appreciate this insightful glimpse at life in the south where sipping Georgia iced tea on a cabin's porch might be dangerous as anything can fall from the sky; just ask the cops." —Harriet Klausner, Gotta Write Network
"I really enjoyed this book, and I hated to reach the last page." —North Georgia Living Magazine
About the Author
Raymond L. Atkins has been published in The Blood and Fire Review, Christmas Stories from Georgia, The Lavender Mountain Anthology, and The Old Red Kimono. He lives in Rome, Georgia.
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More About the Author
Raymond L. Atkins resides in Rome, Georgia. His short stories have been published in Christmas Stories from Georgia, Christmas Through a Child's Eyes, The Lavender Mountain Anthology, The Blood and Fire Review, The Old Red Kimono, Long Island Woman, and Savannah Magazine. His columns have appeared in The Rome News-Tribune, Memphis Downtowner Magazine, Purple Pros, and Like the Dew. His first novel--The Front Porch Prophet--was released by Medallion Press in July of 2008 and went on to win the Georgia Author of the Year Award for First Novel as well as the Independent Publishers Book Award for Best Regional Fiction. His second novel--Sorrow Wood--was released by Medallion Press in June of 2009 to critical acclaim. Atlanta Magazine called it a "darkly humorous, casually clever mystery." Publishers Weekly praised its "subtle humor and pitch-perfect prose." His third novel, Camp Redemption, will be released in June, 2011.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You can go home again...but should you?,
By
This review is from: The Front Porch Prophet (Hardcover)
The Front Porch Prophet tells the story of lifelong friends AJ Longstreet and Eugene Purdue. Growing up together in Sequoyah, Georgia the two were friends through thick and thin. Pulling pranks on unsuspecting townsfolk, trying to loose their virginity, playing football, they are thick as thieves until a falling out over Diane (later to be Eugene's ex-wife) and the boundaries established by adulthood lead to a long term estrangement between the two.
Raymond L Atkins has crafted a quirky, humorous tale of the friendship between two men and the lengths one will go to help fulfill the final wish of another. AJ only reenters Eugene's life when he finds out his friend has terminal cancer and suddenly their arguments seem to be beside the point. Eugene has asked AJ to help him at the end, to put him out of the misery of hiss illness. Eugene counters with the observation that there must be many others who would appreciate and look forward to the opportunity. Eugene wants his friend to be the one ...and although AJ has doubts, he tries to humor his friend. As he wrestles with Eugene's request, he must also face a lifetime of regrets and his own mortality. The back and forth between the old friends/combatants does not mask the seriousness of the request and the inevitable end result. The two men have an easy back and forth that is common between old friends. Atkins is familiar with the rhythms of small town southern life. He develops believable characters, pulling back from the brink of ridicule and infusing them with humanity. The author has an ear for southern dialect and the easy rapport between men. The ability Atkins has with words made this a pleasure to read and many times I found myself nodding my head in recognition and appreciation. I was presently surprised by The Front Porch Prophet.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Quirky Southern Yarn,
By
This review is from: The Front Porch Prophet (Hardcover)
"The Front Porch Prophet" is a quirky, delightful southern tale that takes place in Sequoyah, Georgia. In this town, nothing goes as it should, especially for the main character A.J. That's what makes his life such an adventure. As his story is told, you will find yourself laughing, but there are also poignant moments where you see lessons being learned. I found Raymond Atkins style of writing to be exceptionally unique and truly enjoyed being able to curl up with a great story,
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
quirkey page turner,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Front Porch Prophet (Kindle Edition)
I really liked this book. Yes, the characters were "quirky", but it all worked together surprising well. A very good read.
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