What the Bayou Saw: A Novel [Paperback]

Patti Lacy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 2009

The past can't stay buried forever Rising author Patti Lacy's second novel exposes the life of Sally, set amid the shadows of prejudice in Louisiana. Since leaving her home in the South, Sally Stevens has held the secrets of her past at bay, smothering them in a sunny disposition and sugar-coated lies. No one, not even her husband, has heard the truth about her childhood. But when one of her students is violently raped, Sally's memories quickly bubble to the surface unbidden, like a dead body in a bayou. As Sally's story comes to light, the lies she's told begin to catch up with her. And as her web of deceit unravels, she resolves to face the truth at last, whatever the consequences.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Past Can't Stay Buried Forever

Since leaving Louisiana, Sally Stevens has held her childhood secrets at bay, smothering them in a sunny disposition and sugar-coated lies. No one, not even her husband Sam, has heard the truth about what happened when she was almost twelve years old.

Now a teacher in Illinois, Sally has nearly forgotten the past. But when one of her students is violently attacked, Sally's memories of segregation, a chain link fence, and a blood oath bubble to the surface like a dead body in a bayou. Lies continue to tumble from Sally's lips as she scrambles to gloss over harsh reality. Finally cornered by her deceit and nudged by the Holy Spirit, she resolves to face the truth, whatever the consequences.

"Like Southern molasses, What the Bayou Saw is a rich, thick read that explores a tale so haunting so painfully real, it will follow you into your dreams. There is a blazing light on the horizon of women's fiction, and her name is Patti Lacy."--Julie Lessman, author of A Passion Most Pure and A Passion Redeemed

"[A] deftly knit together story of two girls, four decades and one growing nation in a tale as relevant as ever. A winning combination that makes for simply great storytelling."--Tosca Lee, Christy-nominated author of Havah: The Story of Eve

About the Author

Patti Lacy, Baylor graduate, taught community college humanities until God called her to span seas and secrets in her novels, An Irishwoman's Tale and What the Bayou Saw. She has two grown children and a dog named Laura. She and her husband can be seen jog-walking the streets of Normal, Illinois, an amazing place to live for a woman born in a car. For more information, visit Patti's website at www.pattilacy.com, her blog at www.pattilacy.com/blog, and her Facebook daily Artbites.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (March 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825429374
• ISBN-13: 978-0825429378
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,723,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patti Lacy, a graduate of Baylor University and a Southerner who's found happiness in the Midwest, taught community college humanities. In 2005, God called Patti to write novels exploring the secrets women keep and why they keep them.

An Irishwoman's Tale, Patti's first book, draws on the real-life memories of a brave Irishwoman, who was banished from her beloved Cliffs of County Clare and plopped into a dysfunctional Midwest home.

Both An Irishwoman's Tale and What the Bayou Saw, Patti's second novel, were Foreword Magazine Book of the Year finalists.

Patti spans seas and secrets to gather material for her projects. 2010 found her hiking China's majestic Great Wall and mysterious Mount Tai in search of stories. Music weaves its way into her text, especially her third novel, The Rhythm of Secrets, which inspired a listening guide, The Music, found on Patti's website, www.pattilacy.com.

2011 brings two new Patti Lacy novels to bookstore shelves; The Rhythm of Secrets, published by Kregel, and Reclaiming Lily, published by Bethany House. Here's what award-winning, best-selling author Gina Holmes says: Reclaiming Lily is a moving story of loss, healing, and above all, love."

Patti has two grown children and a dog named Laura. She and her husband can be seen jog-walking the streets of Normal, an amazing place to live for a woman born in a car. Visit Patti's website at www.pattilacy.com, her blog at www.pattilacy.com/blog, and her Facebook daily Artbites. Patti LOVES to hear from her readers and thanks every one of y'all for supporting books!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making it Right, June 17, 2009

By 

Jennifer Coissiere "The Tough Critic"... (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: What the Bayou Saw: A Novel (Paperback)

Never before have I read a book on two controversial subjects that made me mad, sad, and depressed, while truly enjoying every page. What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy is a poignant story where the same crime happens to two different women. Can the secrets of two little girls, growing up during the times of segregation, really affect their adult lives? Exactly what is the bayou hiding and will anyone ever really know?

Sally Stevens, being a nurturing person, puts everything on the line to help one of her students over a tragedy. Sally has not been completely honest with the people around her, and now more than ever she will have to come clean in order to be there for Shamika Williams. Shamika, like Sally, has to choose how they will handle the bad cards that were dealt to them. For Sally, it has been quite a few years. But Shamika has the choice to either take the same path as Sally did years ago, or learn from her in making better choices. Will Sally be able to connect those things and people from her past? Will she succeed in making things right? And will Shamika learn from Sally?

The emotions of the characters were raw and I could feel them as I read. The characters and the plot were well-developed. The research that had to be done was extensive because certain details were so unrealistically real, and it could not come from Ms. Lacy's imagination alone. What the Bayou Saw is not a fast-paced book, but it is a page turner. I recommend this book to everyone interested in reading something out of the ordinary.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Captivating Story!, April 13, 2009

By 

Melanie Dobson (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What the Bayou Saw: A Novel (Paperback)

Patti Lacy has poured herself into What the Bayou Saw, and the result is an engrossing and beautifully written novel about secrets, healing, and transformed lives. As her characters struggled to overcome prejudice and lies, I struggled with them, and then I rooted for them as they began to free themselves from their burden of lies. I was captivated by this story!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book you definitely have to read, November 28, 2009

By 

P. Le Blanc (Yakima, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What the Bayou Saw: A Novel (Paperback)

All I can say is wow to this book. Two thumbs up to Patti Lacy for creating this story. Sally is the main character in this book. She has built her life around lies that she has so deceptively created that she can't remember what the truth is. That is until a tragic event at the school where she works as a teacher occurs that brings her right back to the reason she created all these lies in the first place. Her lies finally come full circle when she begins to tell her story and realizes what she needs to do to find closure. This is a tale that includes racism, some history, and fabulous characters. I felt the pain of the characters throughout the book and it made me feel as if I just wanted to be there for them and make the hurt go away. I loved this book. Patti Lacy took me to a place within the pages of this book that created a whole new view of events that occurred in our history. Some things I just never realized, and it takes reading about it maybe in a different way to bring it to the forefront. Definitely a book I would highly recommend.