47 pages • 1 hour read
Wiley CashA Land More Kind than Home
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In his first novel, A Land More Kind than Home, American author Wiley Cash creates a thriller in an updated version of the Southern Gothic genre. Published in 2013, this work explores the secrets that govern a small North Carolina town and the ways in which a community can fall under the sway of a charismatic religious figure with sinister motives. Set in the 1980s, A Land More Kind than Home is told from the points of view of three different residents of the town, each of which is limited in their understanding of what it is they’ve witnessed. By piecing together their stories, the reader gets the full picture of what happens as a result of a toxic combination of blind faith, suspicion, and self-preservation above all else.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Wiley Cash's A Land More Kind than Home is praised for its immersive Southern gothic atmosphere and powerful storytelling through alternating perspectives. Critics commend the novel’s rich character development and emotional depth. Some, however, feel the pacing is slow and the plot predictable. Overall, it’s a compelling read with a strong sense of place and character.
Who Should Read A Land More Kind than Home?
Readers who enjoy Southern Gothic tales and familial drama will find A Land More Kind than Home by Wiley Cash compelling. Fans of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird or William Faulkner’s works will appreciate the novel's deep exploration of small-town secrets, moral complexities, and gripping narratives.