I loved this book! Emile - Meely - LaBauve is a 15-year-old Cajun living by his wits in the bayous of South Louisiana. His mother is dead, his father, an alcoholic "gator hunter," and his friendship with Joey Hebert highly discouraged by the prominent and wealthy Mr. Hebert. Yet, Meely is spunky, plucky, and, frankly, rather lovable.
I was dubious of a description of Meely LaBauve as a mid-twentieth century Huck Finn, but I think the description is apt. Meely sees people for who the are, the good as well as the bad, and is a master of getting into and out of rather unimaginable scrapes.
This is a short, quick read that I wasn't ready to finish. Ken Wells has captured the rhythm of speech - and life - in Cajun country perfectly (or at least from the perspective of this Yankee girl), and created a mulch-dimensional character who left me wanting more.
Four stars.
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