Review: Indiana gothic
Editorial Review - Kirkus ReviewsA deft blend of fact and fiction vividly re-creates a 90-year-old family scandal. Working from clues dropped by a great-aunt and newspaper clippings unearthed by a cousin, freelance journalist and first-time author Brock tells the story of his great-grandfather, Ham Dillon, and the adulterous affair that led to his violent death. Ham, a hail-fellow-well-met farmer/politician, and Luke Hale, a somewhat older and rather staid schoolteacher and minor government clerk, married sisters, Maggie and Allie Thompson. Allie, the elder of the two, found her young brother-in-law's charm irresistible and in 1905 began an affair with him that lasted for three years and produced one child. Given the demands of running a turn-of-the-century household and the lack of privacy in rural Indiana, well documented here, the couple's resourcefulness in arranging trysts is impressive. Luke, suspicious since the child's birth, discovered the truth in 1908 and shot Ham to death. In the trial that followed, he pleaded temporary insanity. Though court transcripts were destroyed, the author found extensive press coverage of the case. ""Facts formed a line of buoys in the sea of my imagination,"" he writes, explaining his technique. Brock succeeds in creating convincing courtroom scenes featuring the skilled oratory of the lawyers for both sides, and the testimony on insanity makes absorbing reading. The story of Ham and Maggie's courtship is enriched by details of Indiana life and customs, although the character of the wronged wife is fuzzier than those of other three principals. Adultery, murder, a climactic trial, and old-fashioned clothes--perfect source material for a TV docudrama.
Review: Indiana Gothic: A Story of Adultery and Murder in an American Family
User Review - Jerry Smith - GoodreadsNot sure about books such as these. Although they ostensibly cover "true" stories, they are essentially works of fiction woven around known facts, many of which are scarce on the ground. The book ... Read full review
Review: Indiana Gothic: A Story of Adultery and Murder in an American Family
User Review - Lydia - GoodreadsThe idea of this book is fantastic: a relative stumbles upon a scandal from several generations back in his family and uses the opportunity to learn some family history and write the tale. It is a ... Read full review
Review: Indiana Gothic: A Story of Adultery and Murder in an American Family
User Review - Tamelyn Feinstein - GoodreadsHandsome, charismatic man marries one sister, then falls in love with the other. Complications ensue. Read full review
Review: Indiana Gothic: A Story of Adultery and Murder in an American Family
User Review - Deirdre - GoodreadsBrilliant book. A gripping story. Read full review
Review: Indiana Gothic: A Story of Adultery and Murder in an American Family
User Review - Leslie - GoodreadsWell-written story based on a true family event. It would have been nice if Brock had provided more notes because it was hard to know between what he had discovered in his research and what he had to "make up." Read full review
Review: Indiana Gothic: A Story of Adultery and Murder in an American Family
User Review - SE Shurtleff - GoodreadsExcellent creative non fiction. Will definitely pick up another book by Brock in the future. Read full review
Review: Indiana Gothic: A Story of Adultery and Murder in an American Family
User Review - Hrhcara Bauer - GoodreadsFamily love trianges are nothing new! I really enjoyed the book. The author tackled a family scandal and it was very interesting how it still affected his family decades later. Read full review
Review: Indiana Gothic: A Story of Adultery and Murder in an American Family
User Review - Tanya - GoodreadsReally interesting and well written. Thanks Lesley D. for the idea! Read full review
Review: Indiana Gothic: A Story of Adultery and Murder in an American Family
User Review - Erika Haws - GoodreadsThis book is good. My 8th grade history teacher, Mr. Spillman, was a contributor. Read full review
