King of Nod
Scott Fad

Reviewed by Araminta Matthews

 When I first received Scott Fad's book, King of Nod:  Some Things Never Die, I was daunted by its magnitude.  Weighing in at just under 600 pages, I remember thinking "how am I ever going to review this by my deadline?"  As a reviewer, I am the first to admit that not all the books that cross my desk are my favorite literary fare.  Truth be told, it is a rare occasion that I am riveted by a book at all, let alone one by a relatively unknown author showcasing a setting with which I have little experience (the deep South) and brandishing a heft with which I could bludgeon home intruders – even in paperback form!   Let me tell you, this is one such rare occasion.

Scott Fad has woven a tale – a "Southern Gothic Epic", to be precise – that seemed to mechanize my fingers to keep turning the pages long after my partner's bedside light went out.  His writing is unique, energetic, fresh, compelling, and alive!  His descriptions allowed me to virtually visit an area of this country I have only passed through by bus or over by plane, and it felt as if I were standing right there with all the practically-breathing characters!  And the story, a classic ghost tale rife with troubadorian kitchen magic, good versus evil, paranormal, murdering witches, childhood romance, a redhead!  All of my favorite things. 

In King of Nod, we follow Boo Taylor as he returns to his childhood home of Sweetpatch Island, South Carolina.  Through deft word-weaving, Fad reveals that Boo has avoided his home since his youth as it is the home of many unpleasant memories.  Mamie Stuvant, a regal dark witch, murdered Boo's best friend, Hoss haunts Boo's memories , along with the magical monster and devourer of men that Boo battled in his childhood.  And yet, he returns to find his childhood crush, Gussie Dutton, still as heart-melting as ever and he stays, in spite of the dangers and mysteries that surround him. Armed with the power of knowledge awarded him by his family's former housekeeper and kitchen witch, Laylee, Boo is ready – if not reluctant – to take on the new challenges Sweetpatch has to offer.

This book will keep you guessing.  It will move you to tears one moment, and double you over with laughter the next.  It will wax nostalgic of your bittersweet high school romances in one chapter, and wow you with believable magical feats a chapter later.  I couldn't put this book down.  Even my rigidly critical inner English Teacher could not find fault with this book.  Once every couple of years, along comes a writer for whose prose I am grateful.  Tom Robbins, for one.  Jeanette Winterson.  Chuck Palahniuk.  Dan Brown.  And now, Scott Fad.  Thanks for a thrilling read!

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