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Southern Man

A Novel

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Southern Man

Written by: Greg Iles
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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About this listen

"A first-rate political thriller."–John Grisham, #1 New York Times bestselling author

The hugely anticipated new Penn Cage novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Natchez Burning trilogy and Cemetery Road, about a man—and a town—rocked by anarchy and tragedy, but unbowed in the fight to save those they love

Fifteen years after the events of the Natchez Burning trilogy, Penn Cage is alone. Nearly all his loved ones are dead, his old allies gone, and he carries a mortal secret that separates him from the world. But Penn’s exile comes to an end when a brawl at a Mississippi rap festival triggers a bloody mass shooting—one that nearly takes the life of his daughter Annie.

As the stunned cities of Natchez and Bienville reel, antebellum plantation homes continue to burn and the deadly attacks are claimed by a Black radical group as historic acts of justice. Panic sweeps through the tourist communities, driving them inexorably toward a race war.

But what might have been only a regional sideshow of the 2024 Presidential election explodes into national prominence, thanks to the stunning ascent of Robert E. Lee White, a Southern war hero who seizes the public imagination as a third-party candidate. Dubbed “the Tik-Tok Man,” and funded by an eccentric Mississippi billionaire, Bobby White rides the glory of his Special Forces record to an unprecedented run at the White House—one unseen since the campaign of H. Ross Perot.

To triumph over the national party machines, Bobby evolves a plan of unimaginable daring. One fateful autumn weekend, with White set to declare his candidacy in all fifty states, the forces polarizing America line up against one another: Black vs. white, states vs. the federal government, democracy vs. Fascism. Teaming with his fearless daughter (now a civil rights lawyer) and a former Black Panther who spent most of his life in Parchman Prison, Penn tears into Bobby White’s pursuit of the Presidency and ultimately risks a second Civil War to try to expose its motivation to the world, before the America of our Constitution slides into the abyss.

In Southern Man, Greg Iles returns to the riveting style and historic depth that made the Natchez Burning trilogy a searing masterpiece and hurls the narrative fifteen years forward into our current moment—where America itself teeters on the brink of anarchy.

©2022 Greg Iles (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers
Crime Thrillers Mystery Political World Literature War Civil Rights
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Intense

Greg Iles' "Southern Man: A Novel" is an intense novel, even more so than his earlier works. It deals with racial, social, and class issues - themes prevalent in all of the Penn Cage series. The intensity of this novel is enhanced by its relevance to contemporary divisive politics and racial tensions, making it feel uncomfortably realistic.

This is the seventh installment in the Penn Cage series. Though it's not essential to read the earlier books to understand this one, it's highly recommended. The previous novels provide context about Penn Cage's character and his evolution, which is crucial to fully appreciate "Southern Man: A Novel".

In addition to reading my Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC), I also purchased the audiobook version, narrated by Scott Brick. His narration is top-tier, making "Southern Man: A Novel" a five-star performance.

Regardless of whether you read or listen, "Southern Man: A Novel" by Greg Iles is an excellent and intense novel that engages from start to finish. It's an impressive feat, considering the book is 976 pages or 45 hours long.

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Great story

Awesome read. Well worth the time. You will not regret it. What way to sum the series up.

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Interesting glimpse into the Southern USA

I liked the history and rawness of the portrayal of slavery. Insight into how many white Southerners don’t want to acknowledge the effects of slavery and racism. Story was contrived. Some of it just wasn’t believable. But overall it kept my interest and made me think about racism.

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Fantastic as always

I have enjoyed every Iles book I’ve read so far and this was no exception! Gripping, exciting and full of history. Loved it.

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Penn Cage's (and perhaps Greg Isles') Swan Song?

A bittersweet but satisfying ending to the Penn Cage saga. I wonder if it's the last book for Greg Isles because sadly he too is battling cancer. I hope not!
I will say I did not like the narration. On 1.0x the voice is much to slow. Speeding it up helps but then he sounds like Batman in the 60s TV series. (Every sentence sounds like it ends in an exclamation mark)

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It has it all

A phenomenal author who is able to weave poignant stories in with uncomfortable truths, history and insights. This book did not disappoint!

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