The Wettest County In The World by Matt Bondurant

In his very entertaining blog, MRB friend Charlie Stella recommended this book by Matt Bondurant. I’ve learned that if the Knuckmeister hisself recommends a book, it’s probably pretty dang good and he ain't been wrong yet. 

This is advertised a ‘a novel based on a true story’ and the general storyline is based on newspaper and historical reports, court records, and family tales. The gaps are largely supposition, making this a ‘novel’. Let’s get to it.

Franklin County is in southwestern Virginia just south of Roanoke. It’s just after WWI. To say time were tough is an understatement. Jobs and money were scarce, but brewing whiskey is one thing that can be counted on. Everyone wants their hooch and the rural mountains of the area all the way into West Virginia are more than happy to feed the country's thirst.

Howard Bondurant is just back from the war and he ain’t talking much about it. But he is one big dude and is quick to act when called. Forrest Bondurant is Howard’s older brother. He sort of runs a bit of a diner assisted by Maggie. Jack is the youngest brother and he’s trying to stretch his wings in the family business – making and delivering moonshine.

The Bondurants have a bit of a reputation for more than just prime whiskey. While they didn't seem to really instigate much violence, they certainly knew how to end things quickly. And Forrest had the toughest rep. One snowy night, he was jumped outside the diner by 3 guys. While he got the best of one guy and was making a serious dent in the 2nd, an unseen 3^rd got to Forrest from behind and darn near decapitates him with a hunting knife. Forrest’s reputation was solidified by surviving and when the ER nurse asked how he got to the hospital 10 miles from the attack, Forest replied ‘I walked.’ One tough guy.

The Bondurant boys and other families are making good money considering the tough times. But the state’s county prosecutor and sheriff demand protection money from the families making their rotgut. Pay up and we will see that you get to the county line without incident. Refuse and we just might make sure you don’t get down out of the hills. Forrest thinks the old way was just fine and would keep on that way culminating with a shootout on a bridge that became part of Franklin County lore. A whole slew of minor plots and characters add authenticity, breadth, and depth to the story.

Maybe I have a little redneck in me, but I found this a fascinating commentary of the time, its hardships and how people with darn near nothing manage to survive when so many others were failing. I thought it was kind of interesting that I was reading this at a time while I was also watching the History Channel’s 3-part series on the Hatfield and McCoy feud and it almost seemed like the Bondurant’s could have been 1930’s era relatives of either family. Jack Bondurant turned out to be the author’s grandfather.

But what really grabbed me was when I learned that it’s been made into a movie called Lawless that is due out in late August; you can bet I will be in a theater on opening weekend. Watch that trailer and tell me you are not going to go see it. Glad I read the book first. Might be a good thing for you to do before Labor Day when the Bondurants bring their version of justice to the screen.

East Coast Don