This is a fantastic book. A great 20th Century Western.Set in the Depression, it’s about a group of teenage friends who decide to take their dead friend’s ashes to Hollywood. After her body is found in the river, they hatch this plan to head across the US, involving theft, grave-robbing and DIY cremation. They upset quite a few people before they set off down the Sabine River in an old boat and on the way they run into some bizarre but well-written characters. As well as a mad old lady there’s a preacher with a dark secret and a psychopath.
It’s all written first person from one of the character’s point of view, in the voice of a poorly-educated but bright country girl. It’s her narration that makes it work so well. That and the beautiful detail about the landscape they travel through, and some surprising action scenes.
It the first of Lansdale’s books that I’ve read but I’m going to pick up some more of his stuff. He’s written a heck of a lot so I’ll have plenty pick from.