Go to Hell Ole Miss

“While globalism and the mass-market have long tried to genericize us all, regionalism has remained a dynamic and steadfast force—and especially for those who hail from the South. In this spirited debut novel, we see a 1970s-era Mississippi family in high relief and high dudgeon. Jeff Barry deftly captures the idiosyncrasies, the conversational quirks, the deeper strains of melancholy, and the darker impulses of violence that most lifelong Southerners know all too well.” —Hampton Sides, New York Times best-selling author of Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers

"Jeff Barry's novel exquisitely captures the South and it's complications of family, faith, hopes, and dreams. It's a first novel of literary depth that makes a mark. His characters spring to life and keep the pages turning because we know them and can't forget. Barry's detail is rich, the literary voice strong, and it's a must-read for fans of Southern lit." —David Magee, author of national bestseller, Dear William

“Rich with imagery of the deep south and just the right dose of faith to make it real, Jeff Barry's very well written debut novel is a must read for lovers of southern literature.” —Ron Hall, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Same Kind of Different as Me

“Before the title raises your hackles—or your hands in praise —remember the proverbial advice about judging books by covers. There's a perfectly good story behind this memorable title, and curious readers will enjoy finding it as they sort through the complicated dynamics of the big, messy Southern family at the heart of this winning debut. You'll recognize these people. Hell, you may even find yourself in these pages. Jeff Barry relishes the pastime of good banter and storytelling. Reading his novel reminded me of a bygone time and of eavesdropping on the grown-ups with their colorful ways of tiptoeing around (and often steamrolling over) the truths and assumptions found in all families. —Jamie Kornegay, author of Soil

“One-part Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried and two-parts Richard Grant’s Dispatches from Pluto, Barry’s book overlies the ways soldiers carry war home and carry home into war. With a pitch-perfect cast of characters from his own family tree planted in rural Mississippi, it’s a colorful tale of family and all its messy incarnations—humor, loyalty, revenge, conflict, acceptance and, ultimately, unconditional love.” —Molly Crosby, author of national best seller, The American Plague

"Truly great storytellers make the reader feel as if the story is one she has lived. In Go to Hell Ole Miss, Barry writes with authenticity, humor, and subtlety to bring Mississippi hill country in the 1970s to life. The protagonist, Big John, is as brilliantly flawed as Odysseus, and following him on his journey as he works to right his own wrong is entertaining and engaging. Perhaps most importantly, this novel offers a much-needed meditation on southern masculinity." —Courtney Miller Santo, author of Three Story House and The Roots of the Olive Tree

“Jeff Barry’s novel is rich with veins of lore interconnecting all things and peoples Southern. His title demonstrates the natural intelligence a POW conveys to the next captured warrior of his nationality and origin. Such a message to a captured fighter in a lonely shed can save a life because it points toward home where springs hope. Southern readers will love the rivalry his title points out. His characters are dramatic and faithful to the culture, ways and influences bred in southern families and communities. Its truth is that people in the South often do not address violence directly, nor even express love openly. So much emotion is held inside, safe, to protect one’s soul. The southern experience often hides in shadows below the level of the conscious mind. Finding that truth in Barry’s first novel is a labor of love. When I think of Barry, I think of Slide.” —Sue Watson, journalist with The South Reporter

“I fully endorse Jeff Barry’s debut novel. Go to Hell Ole Miss is a pleasant and enjoyable read about a man and the love he has for his daughter and the people around him. Barry’s book tackles race through the eyes of the friendship, offering a welcome respite from the divided nation we find ourselves in today.” —James Armfield, book scout with Alcon Entertainment

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