| Good, Clean Country Livin' is a novella concerning the interpersonal relationships of a small group of people living in a small town in Texas in the early 1970's. Each chapter is meant to highlight a particular aspect of the action. "The Lasches" introduces John and Anne Lasche. It is meant to demonstrate the dichotomy between John Lasche's private life and public life, and set the scene for the rest of the story, in particular the menace that lurks in the dark. "Rusty's Tale" is the first look at Anne Lasche as a character. It is meant to demonstrate her inner-strength. This chapter is the reader's first glimpse into John's alternate lifestyle. "Addictions" delves deeper into John's psyche, giving the reader a hard look at the kind of man he is. The title is intentionally heavy handed. "Let it Fall" is a closer look at Anne's psyche, and her connection to the farm. This is a scene heavily inspired by Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth. "Choices" is the first time Charlotte enters the picture as more than a madame of a whorehouse. "Comin' to Jesus" was a term commonly used to refer to having a serious talk with someone in which an ultimatum of some sort is given by the initiator of the conversation. "Strength" is a deeper look into Anne's psyche and a chance for the reader to better understand her attitude towards the farm, and suffering in general. "Fall" is an attempt to show the passing of time, as well as the way she and John lived on a daily basis, and to show John's more monstrous side. "Two More Inches" is a commentary, but is it a commentary by the author, narrator, or sheriff?;"Amanda's Hidden Talent" is an opportunity to put the action on the women, and to bring them closer together. "The Summer Billy Got His Limp" was a chance for the author to play with narrative voice. "Beginning of the End" is the demarkation point between Anne's old life before she was a mother, and the end of that life, and the beginning of a new life. In "Roy's Visit", human nature rears its ugly head in the form of spite and revenge as Roy Lipscomb visits Charlotte's whorehouse with the Texas Ranger. "The Back 40" is a chapter explaining why Charlotte cared about what was happening to Anne, and the nature of Amanda and Charlotte's friendship. The story is concluded with "Going Home." This bookends the story with the image of the truck driving down the dirt road, being chased by the cloud of red dust, and brings some closure, though leaving it open for more development. It is the shortest section of the entire story. |
