A Land More Kind Than Home is the 1st novel by Wiley Cash. He’s from North Carolina, where this novel takes place.
On a hot, lazy afternoon in the small town of Marshall, North Carolina, 9-year-old Jess Hall and his mute older brother Christopher see their pastor cavorting with their mom in their parent’s bedroom. This one brief episode changes both boys forever, especially when Pastor Chambliss tries “curing” Christopher of his muteness but ends up killing him instead.
Clem Barefield—the sheriff of Marshall, and Adelaide Lyle—the local midwife help the townspeople truly see Pastor Chambliss for the scumbag he is.
A Land More Kind Than Home is amazing, and it’s an impressive first novel. I’m not really into books about religion and grew up on the West coast, so I thought for sure I’d lose interest, but I trudged ahead anyway. I’m so glad I did that.
I started really getting into it after reading about Pastor Chambliss’ snakes. Then I was hooked for good after meeting Jess Hall in the second chapter.
I love this author’s writing style. It’s the epitome of “show, don’t tell,” which many authors don’t practice.
I thought many characters were indirectly creepy, including Pastor Chambliss (of course), some of the townspeople, and Jess Hall’s mom. Nothing about this novel is predictable and it’s exciting to see what’s in store for the characters at the end.
Other books by Wiley Cash include:
- This Dark Road to Mercy (2014)
- The Last Ballad (2017)
- When Ghosts Come Home (2021)
What did you think about A Land More Kind Than Home?
Last Updated on December 8, 2025 by Sarah Ann
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