A Jug of Sweet Tea

In Mike Zealy’s collection of strong, tragic, and humorous stories he showcases the American South in all its complexity. In “Alabama Rehab,” the narrator asks “how in the hell was a redneck with a high school diploma going to make me all better?” Zealy’s imperfect heroes and heroines answer that question and explore others. A jug of sweet tea is a thirst-quenching blend, reminiscent of the stories of Flannery O’Connor and Barry Hannah.