This book absolutely immersed me in the dust bowl experience, and in a good way. It is the story of twin brothers Jeremiah and and Josiah Goodbye who long ago had a falling out when Josiah turned Jeremiah in to the police for four murders he did not commit. Jeremiah wins a reprieve when the electrocution that was supposed to kill him runs awry and he escapes. He travels back to Nowhere Oklahoma to take revenge against his brother and on the way picks up/rescues a young non verbal boy named Peter. When the dust settles on the brothers feud they have a truce of sorts. Jeremiah decides to stay in Nowhere and he and Peter move in to an abandoned home in town. Dust storms are common and sometimes deadly and the town people are just about done in by them, many of them have given up, but that is where Peter and Jeremiah can do their best work and help the towns people survive the hideous dust. There are elements of magical realism and the age old fight between good and evil interwoven throughout the story and I really, really liked these tropes. I love a story with a little bit of supernatural thrown in the mix. The characters are all well fleshed out and believable and I loved the underlying message of 'kindness breeds kindness'. The narrator was excellent and gave voice to each individual character. The author James H. Markert's writing and story telling style reminds me a little of one of my favorite authors Michael McDowell, although not as dark. I can highly recommend this book, especially the audio version.

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher Dreamscape Media for an ARC of this highly entertaining audiobook. ( )

What Blooms From Dust? Kindness. This well-written book places the reader in the Dust Bowl (Nowhere, Oklahoma) in the mid-1930s. Daily dust storms are sapping the town of hope and energy and despair is on the rise when Jeremiah Goodbye returns home. Convicted of killing four men and turned in by his twin brother Josiah, a freak storm saves him during his electrocution. Dubbed the Coin-Flip Killer, he rescues a young Peter Cotton (and his typewriter), who is being sold by his own mother, on his way home. Peter seems simple in mind, repeating whatever is said to him. Jeremiah's return is controversial with some remembering his contributions to the town while others, including the local sheriff, remember his drunk and disorderly behavior. Josiah worries that his wife Ellen still carries a torch for Jeremiah. When a really bad black duster hits town, almost all residents become catatonic until Jeremiah, Peter and a reporter named Rose lift the town up with their love, forgiveness and kindness. Engaging characters, strong symbolism, with an underlying element of magical realism. 4.5 stars.

P.S. You can judge this book by its striking cover ( )

What Blooms from Dust is an unlikely combination historical/supernatural mix that the author actually manages to pull off very well. In fact, it was one of my favorite reads of 2018 for a variety of reasons.
Jeremiah Goodbye is set to be executed but is given a "reprieve" by an act of God; a tornado tears down the prison walls giving Jeremiah the chance to escape and start again. Along the way to settling a score with his twin brother, Jeremiah encounters a young boy and together they set off to Jeremiah's hometown. When they arrive, they find the townspeople cowed and afraid; weighed down by the dust storms that constantly test their strength and resolve. Jeremiah decides to uncover the truth behind the murders he was accused and found guilty of committing, and also help the townspeople in their time of need (mainly through the actions of his sweet sidekick).
There are so many elements to this novel that make it stand out for me. One key is the theme of deciding actions based on the flip of a coin, and another is Jeremiah's seemingly supernatural gift.
This story takes place during the dustbowl of the 1930s and is described so well that you can almost feel the dust settling in your lungs and clothes. There is a beautiful balance between historical fact and subtle supernatural people and happenings that mesh very well. To be honest, the book has a bit of the flavor of Stephen King's earlier works to me. In essence, it is a story of strength in the face of adversity and the small miracles that help us to cope and survive.

I have written before about books that are smarter than me. This is one of them. I just know that I missed things so I am definitely keeping this one to read again – it’s that kind of book. The kind of book that develops with each successive read. Your understanding of the characters and events will grow.

What Blooms From Dust is not your typical historical fiction novel. It does share the horror and despair of the Dust Bowl through the story of the people in Nowhere. Oklahoma. The founders of the town had moved there with promises of a majestic city already in place but found out that when they arrived there was … nothing. They decided to stick it out and the decisions they and others on the plains caused the ecological damage that when there was prolonged drought led to the Dust Bowl.

One family is the center of the tale, the Goodbyes. I am sure that name is purposeful and significant but I haven’t figured that out yet. Twin brothers Jeremiah and Josiah both love the same girl. Jeremiah has been in prison lately and had been set to be electrocuted but a tornado rolled through just as they pulled the switch and he was able to escape. He is heading back home to settle some scores.

Along the way he finds a woman selling one of her children as she claims she can’t afford to feed them. The boy is a little addled and repeats everything that is said to him. He also carries around a typewriter that he is constantly typing on.

There is so much to this tale that simply cannot be explained. I was hooked from the very first paragraph and I could not put it down. I seriously want to read it again but my reading schedule doesn’t allow the time for it right now. It is not a straightforward book as it does wander into the realm of magical realism and with books written like that you either go with the flow or you fight them the whole way. I am a very literal reader as I have mentioned before but there are authors that can break through that and Mr. Markert is one of them. I didn’t care that actions and events didn’t necessarily make sense in a real context. They made sense in this world. If you let them. And do, please do. This book was a magical exploration of love, redemption and perseverance. ( )

What Blooms from Dust is a hauntingly beautiful tale of forgiveness, hope, and healing, amidst life’s darkest times. Sprinkled with subtle symbolism and delicate nuances, it is a well-crafted story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading.

Full Review at
https://thelastpageturnedbookblog.blogspot.ca/2018/04/review-what-blooms-from-du... ( )