LORD OF MISRULE

Myra Lucretia Taylor’s combination of drawl and twang immediately transports us to backwoods West Virginia. Author Jaimy Gordon tells the story of a small-time racetrack in the early ‘70s, populated by an excitingly original cast of characters, including two noteworthy horses, Lord of Misrule and Pelter. Indian Mound Downs is a small world within the larger world, crowded with horse trainers, grooms, scam artists, and deadbeats. And if an innovative plot and unique characters aren’t enough, Gordon shows a remarkable ear for regional speech. Taylor’s tone and pace, her lilting cadences, are exactly right through several alternating points of view. Vivid writing and a narrator whose voice slips seamlessly across gender, racial, and regional lines make this 2010 National Book Award winner high-quality listening. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2011]