Red Clay Suzie, Jeffrey Dale Lofton
Red Clay Suzie, Jeffrey Dale Lofton
12 Rating(s)
List: $19.95 | Sale: $13.97
Club: $9.97

Red Clay Suzie
A Novel Inspired by True Events

Author: Jeffrey Dale Lofton

Narrator: Pete Cross

Unabridged: 10 hr 14 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/10/2023

Synopsis

The coming-of-age story of Philbet, a gay, physically-misshapen boy in rural Georgia, battles bullying, ignorance, and disdain as he makes his way in life as an outsider—before finding acceptance in unlikely places.Fueled by tomato sandwiches and green milkshakes and obsessed with cars, Philbet struggles with life and love as a gay boy in rural Georgia. He is happiest when helping Grandaddy dig potatoes from the vegetable garden that connects their houses.But Philbet’s world is shattered and his resilience shaken by events that crush his innocence and sense of security; expose his misshapen chest, skillfully hidden behind shirts Mama makes at home; and convince him that he’s not fit to be loved by Knox, the older boy he idolizes to distraction.Over time, Philbet finds refuge in unexpected places and inner strength in unexpected ways, leading to a resolution in the form of a letter from beyond the grave.

About Jeffrey Dale Lofton

Jeffrey Dale Lofton hails from Warm Springs, Georgia, but has called Washington, DC, home for over three decades. During those early years he spent many a night treading the boards of the DC theater and performing arts centers, though he ultimately stepped away from acting for other, more traditional work. He has Master’s degrees in both Public Administration and Library and Information Science, and today works as a senior advisor at the Library of Congress, surrounded by books and people who love books—in short, paradise.

About Pete Cross

Pete Cross is an Earphones Award–winning narrator. He holds a BA in theater from the University of Toledo and an MFA in acting from the California Institute of the Arts. His experience on stage includes Carnegie Hall, and he has also acted in film. He has served on the faculty at Cal Arts and with Aquila Morong Studio in Hollywood. He has coached for film and theatrical productions and continues to work with private clients all over the world.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Ellery on July 08, 2023

This coming-of-age novel reads like a series of vignettes very close to memoir. I warmed to young Philbet right away, and was content to listen to his stories about Hot Wheels, growing up in rural Georgia, his Granddaddy's wisdom, and how he became aware that not only was he physically different fro......more

Goodreads review by Dona's on August 24, 2024

Beautiful! Review to come.......more

Goodreads review by Christine on June 28, 2023

Intimate and beautifully written, authentic and immersive, Red Clay Suzie portrays the life of Philbet, a physically misshapen gay boy growing up in rural Georgia. His story is told with such sweetness and truth, the book is destined to become a classic of Southern literature.......more

Goodreads review by Jaynelle on January 16, 2023

Thank you for TLC Book Tours for giving me this book in exchange for my honest review. This is the authors debut novel and the story is based on his life- which just makes it pack more of a punch. Or at least it did for me emotionally. The story starts off (the first third of the book) when Philbet i......more

Goodreads review by Sheena on December 18, 2023

This book is the epitome of “all the feels.” It was so heartbreaking…it made me feel so sad and guilty and lonely with the main character for the majority of the reading of this book. But as I grew up with him throughout the book, I experienced with him his feelings of love and acceptance and hope t......more

Quotes

“A vivid depiction of a unique childhood that feels universal in its longing.” Christopher Castellani, author of Leading Men

“Red Clay Suzie offers a lesson in what it takes to thrive in a world that’s intent on building fences, and it does so with affection and sweetness.” Paul Lisicky, author of Later

“Philbet Lawson joins Scout Finch and Frankie Addams in Southern literature’s pantheon of outsider children…[and] a new literary hero.” Alice Leccese Powers, writer and editor of the bestselling In Mind series

“An intimate exploration of people, place, and identity, Red Clay Suzie opens up the idea of the South into one that is more inclusive and real.” W. Ralph Eubanks, author of A Place Like Mississippi

“A story so close to the heart you can almost hear it beating.” James Hart, author of Lucky Jim

Awards

  • Center for Fiction First Novel Prize
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