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After Papaw passes, Belinda, Darlene, and Vireo are on their own. Belinda does her best to take care of the two by working as an exotic dancer, but she loses her job after being mistakenly accused of theft. When Belinda gets a new job working in fast food, Vireo realizes she will need to drop out of high school and take over as an exotic dancer as the pay is much better. She’ll just lie about her age. The two do their best to make ends meet and take care of their cousin, Rip. Rip is a hot-headed young man who plunges into far-right thinking after his wife leaves him for a woman. He takes a few odd jobs but eventually ends up living above the strip club, eating painkillers and happy meals while growing more obese, sullen, and secluded. Vireo records their story on a recorder left to her in the strip club by a sociologist from England.
In tone, Jackson’s story is reminiscent of John Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces. Jackson uses colloquial language and turns his characters into caricatures of small-town clichés from the American South. The writing is clear and easy to read, and this concise novel is quickly finished. Many readers will likely enjoy the over-the-top feel and general buffoonery, although the parody can wear thin at times. The humor is intentionally meant to be “rural” and immature, and the ignorance of most characters underscores Vireo’s difficult circumstances, which she tackles with as much grace and insight as anyone in her position could put forth. Her relationship with Papaw is highlighted and tender in its country wisdom and helps give a foundation for her discerning nature.