"Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter" is a compelling novel by Tom Franklin that explores themes of friendship, prejudice, and redemption in rural Mississippi.
The story follows two main characters: Larry Ott and Silas "32" Jones, whose lives become intertwined through childhood friendship and later through a series of mysterious disappearances. Larry, a social outcast nicknamed "Scary Larry," lives a solitary life running his late father's auto repair shop while bearing the weight of suspicion from a decades-old disappearance case. Silas, now the town's constable, must confront his shared past with Larry when another young girl goes missing, forcing both men to face their complicated history and buried secrets.
The novel masterfully weaves between past and present, revealing how childhood experiences and societal prejudices shape lives. Through flashbacks, we learn about Larry and Silas's brief friendship in the 1970s, cut short by racial tensions and tragic events. The title comes from the old spelling rhyme "crooked letter, crooked letter, I, humpback, humpback, I" - used to teach children how to spell "Mississippi," serving as a metaphor for the twisted paths and repeated patterns in the characters' lives. The story delves deep into themes of isolation, racial dynamics in the American South, and the possibility of redemption. Franklin's rich character development and atmospheric writing bring to life the complex social fabric of small-town Mississippi, while the mystery element keeps readers engaged through to the surprising conclusion. The novel stands out for its authentic portrayal of Southern life and its thoughtful examination of how past actions continue to influence the present.
