What the Bayou Saw: A Novel (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

About the Author

Patti Lacy graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. in education. She taught at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois, until 2006, when she began to pursue writing full-time. She has two grown children and lives in Illinois with her husband, Alan, and a dog named Laura. Visit Patti's website at www.pattilacy.com

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 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #704,443 in Books (See Bestsellers in 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 (Georgia) - See all my reviews

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

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 What the Bayou Saw, August 5, 2009

By	S. Fields (College Station, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book covered so many "touchy" subjects. Trying to conceal things of the past, innocent friendship, racial issues, young girls having to deal with the issues of rape at such a tender age, and murder just to name a few. Once I got into the bulk of the story, and became familar with each of the characters in the story, I was hooked all the way to the very end. I truly loved the way the author captured the friendship of these two young girls of different races, in the midst of the prejudice that was surrounding them. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good book to read. The only disappointment is having the story come to and end.