Crooked Hallelujah

Crooked Hallelujah is a stellar novel that explores the lives and loves of a family of Cherokee women through the generations. The narrative unfolds as a series of short stories arranged basically in chronological order. This construction allows the reader a kind of intimacy with so many different characters at different points in their lives. When Kelli Jo Ford is writing, no character is filler or window dressing - each one is their own universe. If you like novels by Larry McMurtry, Louise Erdrich, or Tommy Orange, you'll love Crooked Hallelujah.

Beautifully written, raw, poetic novel that captures the complexity of human relationships.

Most of the write-ups of this book are quick to mention that the author is a member of the Cherokee nation of Oklahoma. This is true and it's important, and as we assess what America is and what it ought to be, this perspective couldn’t be any more vital. Yet--as with the very best works of literature--it transcends the immediate predicament of its characters and says something important about the human condition as a whole. Read it not only for insights into another person’s life but into your own.

I really liked the references to the regional area in the setting. The inner workings of the Holiness Church offered an excellent insight into that religion. The characters were hard for me to keep straight. I also had difficulty following the storyline at times. Too much information was given before I could begin to put the new chapter in perspective.

I loved reading this book! Each page had me wanting more. It was easy to connect with the characters and took me back in time to life in a small town. I felt it was an honest look at people, their struggles and triumphs - both internal and external. If you're looking for an easy read that will capture your soul, make you laugh out loud and even cry a little, this is the book for you. You won't be disappointed.