Customer Reviews

Granddaddy's Dirt

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Granddaddy's Dirt is a clever tale about one family's plight with generational curses. This story embraces the true meaning of reaping what you sow. Told with a storyteller's enthusiasm, this story makes you realized that grandparents are not as perfect as they seem; sometimes they make crucial mistakes and bad decisions. Egeston deals with the issues of race and human behavior realistically. He grabs the reader's interest immediately. A good old fashion book about a man's desperate actions that lead to the betrayal of all the people who love and respect him. One can easily follow the main character's, Andrew Scales, road of regret and frustration throughout the novel. His grandson is left to unravel the mess as he wrestles with forgiveness and a persistent sheriff who will never let it die. Egeston uncovers the harsh reality that the past is never to far away and secrets are among us all.

Granddaddy's Dirt will leave you wondering about the age-old adage of unjust deeds affecting future generations and the possibility of family curses. The novel opens with a serious crime committed and covered up in rural southern Georgia. This single act is the catalyst for a series of events in the life of Andrew Scales, a respected businessman with a wife, two daughters, and two grandchildren. Andrew is a proud, black man and pillar in the community who believes he has acted appropriately and righteously despite his wife's protests to the otherwise. He feels justified in that he must protect his honor, his family, and his money at all costs and ignores her constant pleas to "do the right thing".

As the story progresses through the years we watch a web of deceit and lies build to the brink of implosion for Andrew and his family. At the center of the story is Andrew's undying love for his oldest grandchild, Kyle. Unbeknownst to Kyle (the third generation), who has benefited greatly from his grandfather's wealth and reputation, very tough decisions are in order when he returns to take over the family business. Through a series of clues, the truth starts to surface and Kyle slowly begins to unravel a twenty-year old mystery. Cosmic forces are also at work and the evidence of a family curse is quickly upon him. Will Kyle dismiss everything to let sleeping dogs lie? Will he face the truth, break the cycle, and do what his grandfather refused to do?

Granddaddy's Dirt is a thought-provoking novel that effectively uses metaphors, similes and vivid imagery which heighten the reader's apprehension and allow them to use their own intuition to determine what is going to happen next. The symbolism of the 'dirt' and cleansing waters of the 'flood' was masterfully conveyed. The Southern dialogue was "readable and understandable" while still seemingly authentic. The scenes were indeed funny when they were intended to be comical and heartbreaking when they were to be sad. There are some religious overtones in this book: the concept of confessing sins, asking for forgiveness, loving thy neighbor, passing burdens and curses onto future generations may disturb some readers, but it does not take away from the novel. However, I concur with another reviewer when she wrote that Granddaddy's Dirt could be used as an excellent example for teaching writing and storytelling techniques. This is good book for an easy, quick summertime read.

Phyllis
APOOO Bookclub
Nubian Circle Book Club (Orlando, FL)

Brian Egeston's "Graddaddy's Dirt" is a must have in the collection. This novel reveals a story full of lies, deception, and broken promises. Egeston does a terrific job setting each scene for the audience.It is like being on a roller-coaster ride full of twists, turns, and stomach clenching stunts. As the lies were told to protect the innocent, a marriage gone sour, and trust broken all in the presence of racism I really had a hard time putting this book down to even eat for fear of missing something. I highly recommend this book.

I just finished Granddaddy's Dirt. Congratulations to Mr. Egeston. It's a great piece. I look forward to reading "Whippins, Switches, and Peach Cobbler".

The author's rich use of metaphors and similes along with his word and phrase choices delivered an entertaining, often funny, and compelling picture of life in the South. At the same time, the story could have been set in Anytown, USA, and it would have been a great story.

I have ordered additional copies for friends and I look forward to watching him "blow up" in the literary world.

Maybe other reviewers should start reading the ENTIRE book before they rate books. Two people said they didn't know when the book takes place. Duh! The first page of the story says in BIG BOLD BLACK LETTERs 1977-1980!! What do they want to see B.C. or A.D.?

I thought the book was very good. My sister teaches middle school and her class read it and loved it. My other sister teaches college level classes and her students loved it too.

I think this will be one of those books that gets discovered later on and pretty soon will be in every classroom in America. Good Job to a writer I had never read.

"One late night in southern Georgia, a crime is committed and subsequently covered up." Andrew Scales is a respected businessman with a wife, two daughters and two grandchildren. Andrew has a special affection for his oldest grandchild, Kyle. "The man possessed a love for him Kyle never knew. An unconditional, transcending, yet dangerous love". Fast forward approximately fifteen years......Kyle is a recent college graduate who decides to settle in Albany, Georgia to take over his grandfather's business. What Kyle finds are lies, deceit and lack of atonement. Will his grandfather's decisions cost him everything he holds dear?

Granddaddy's Dirt is a soul-stirring novel that effectively utilizes several literary techniques that capture the reader's attention. Brian Egeston's use of metaphors, alliteration, similes and imagery provide a thought provoking look at the events in this tale. The river, the dirt and death all play an important role in painting a picturesque view. The analogy of Alberto, the tropical storm, to Albany, the town, was masterfully done. Also, the southern dialect does not distract but rather adds a realistic and unforgettable conversational tone among the characters.

My favorite section is the church sermon because the message delivered is symbolic to Kyle's life and the lives of the residents of Albany. You will end this novel wondering if our unjust deeds really affect our future generations. Are we really cursed because of the past? If we do not admit our sins and ask for forgiveness, will our children carry our burdens?

I believe that Granddaddy's Dirt could be used as an excellent example for teaching writing and storytelling techniques and possibly be categorized as a classic. This is a stunning and passionate novel that will force you to care about the characters, feel their pain and triumphant in their victories.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves

On a trip home from visiting family, Andrew and Virginia Scales are pulled over by the police. A seemingly routine stop turns into a nightmare. Something terrible happens on that stretch of road between Atlanta and Albany, Georgia - something so terrible that the Scales family is haunted by it for generations. The novel, Granddaddy's Dirt, describes the events leading to the Scales' horror, deceit, and ultimate demise. Part One of the book details Andrew's ultimate cover-up for the events that transpired that fateful night and the effect it bore on the family. Part Two fast forwards to Andrew's grandson Kyle's connection to this family "dirt".

This novel demonstrated writing at it's best. Egeston's theme of "dirt" followed the reader throughout the entire story. Symbolism, foreshadowing, and lyrical prose contributed to the beautiful writing of Grandaddy's Dirt, a book sure to become a modern classic.

Reviewed by Candace K

Actually a 3.5
Granddaddy's Dirt reminds me of conversation on the porch talking to the elders of your family. Set in the small town on Albany Georgia, Egeston captures the mentality of race relations that has plagued the south for generations. The Scales family is faced with generational curses. The sins of a father do in fact affect the sons. Kyle Scales in this case is the grandson of Andrew Scales. Andrew Scales is strong businessman that is feared and respected. Andrew's decision made on one fateful night, cursed his family for over 20 years.
I found this book entertaining yet a little confusing in spots. It was hard to focus not knowing the time period in which the novel is placed. Being for the rural south, I do realize that the environment in present day society can seem like it is behind the times. Even so, the time setting would have helped the story line. The ending seems to be a little rushed. Three/Fourths of the book was setting the stage. The last fourth happened to fast to enjoy. Even with this being said, I would definitely buy the book to experiment with a new style of author.

L Shennice Pruitt-Gober

I would not consider myself a true reader, I read a book here and there, every now and then. So for me to complete Granddaddy's Dirt in 3 days is a testimony to what a great book this is. Also, since my wife is from Albany, I can actually relate to the landmarks and the events of this story. I have and will continue to recommend this book to EVERYONE. A MUST READ. GREAT JOB BRIAN!!!! "FIETTS"

This book contains folklore, culture as well as a bit of history that is presented in a manner that can be used in both classrooms and reading clubs alike. Being raised by Southern parents; I bonded with this story. This book has made it into my private collection - right next to "Their Eyes Were Watching God". I am quickly ordering Mr. Egeston's second novel. The book's back cover description is on point. This story will hold you and you won't forget it.