Fall Line%E2%80%A8Joe

In Starnes's (Calling) latest, set in 1955, big change is coming to the rural south and it isn't coming easy. At least, not for the lingering residents of a stretch of nearly-pulped forest and dormant farmland in the path of the Oogasula River, scheduled to be flooded by the Georgia Power company on government orders. Elmer Blizzard, a trigger-happy ex-deputy who opposes the plan, sets out on a mission of vengeance against the interests plundering his family's land, especially Aubrey Terrell, "The Guvnah," for whom the new dam is named and whose betrayal of his constituents is so thorough he plays cards for cushy lakefront properties. Meanwhile, the widow McNulty and her dog Percy are too tied to the land to leave. Percy, whose increasingly confused adventures in the changing landscape function as act breaks, is easily the highlight of the novel, which moves from perspective to perspective without adding depth to the characters. Though simplicity and obstinacy may be the point, the narrative doesn't move beyond southern-noir saga. Readers looking for a challenging southern novel will likely get bored quickly, but those willing to toe the line will find an expert in local color doing right by his all-but-vanished region. (Nov.)