Ooof. This was a great story, but not an easy read. I’d compare it to something like Where the Crawdads Sing. It’s difficult, but the payoff is worth it. Hard themes, great characters, and worth the effort.

Genevieve Charbonneau, born Oleana, has been on her own for years. She had to leave home after a series of disappointments, unhappiness and assault. After falling in with a circus, she learns a number of skills and finds an affinity for snakes. She also can see ghosts.

A chance encounter with a Vietnam War vet in a graveyard. She chooses the name Genevieve to hide her identity, but urges him, despite his reluctance, to return home, with her accompanying. He's come back from the war grieving and not eager to reconnect with his ultra-religious family. He's self-medicating with copious amounts of alcohol to cope with "normal life" and with the fact that he regularly sees and talks with his best friend and fellow soldier, now dead. The African American man was named Bigger. He was big in stature and heart, saved Mercer's and others' lives countless times, as well as opened Mercer's eyes to different perspectives.

Genevieve is intending to only visit for a short while, as Mercer and his family live in the same town in Arkansas her grandmother did. Unbeknownst to Mercer, Genevieve is actually connected to his family, which is run by its horrific preacher father, who constantly abuses and controls his wife and daughters. Mercer's experiences in the war taught him that all the bigotry he grew up with was garbage, and he cannot bare to see the damage perpetuated by his father on the family.

Genevieve gradually becomes involved with Mercer's family, and she has to make a decision, whether to leave them to their unhappy lives, or actually make a connection and put down some roots.

This is wonderfully written, with vividly characterized individuals. Genevieve is a treat, and I loved her immediately. Mercer is an open wound, and I longed for him to find some peace.

I loved the way author India Hayford brought in fantastic elements and used these to delve into trauma, bigotry, domestic abuse, and grief. The story is poignant, and also satisfying, from a wish fulfilment perspective, as the baddies get their proper rewards, thanks to some snakes, manipulation, and smart thinking.

The story is not light, and everyone is suffering, except the horrible people, and I really liked this book.

It's also beautifully voiced in the audiobook, which I listened to while reading,. I loved the use of multiple narrators: Zura Johnson, Matt Godfrey, and Laura Jennings. They each brought something special to this dark and gothic story. I have always loved the use of multiple narrators, and they each voice the characters well, bringing them to life beautifully.

Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Publishing, and to Rbmedia for these ARCs in exchange for my review.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an Audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree is a tragic, emotional, but beautifully written story. I was hooked early on. in the story. The characters (major and minor) have so much depth and are vividly written. You truly get to know each and every one. The story tackles some sensitive subjects: religious beliefs, PTSD, child abuse and neglect. Genevieve can see and hear ghosts and Mercer brought back ghosts from Vietnam. This is a story of a family dealing with an abusive father, PTSD, and finding family. It is very sad but also hopeful. I loved the found family in the story and the determination to survive and thrive in life. If you like historical novels that are beautifully written, well developed characters, southern charm, family struggles, and hope give this one a chance.

This was somewhere between Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Ava Morgyn’s The Bane Witch. Considering those were two of my very favorite reads of 2024, it made for a magical experience.

I’m honestly so surprised at how much I loved this because abuse is abound. Domestic, sexual, emotional, mental… it’s an intense read.

While exploring themes of abuse, PTSD, religious trauma, and generational family trauma, it also managed to tie us as readers so deeply into the narrative. It was a visceral experience.

Genevieve was a fantastic character and there were so many fantastic side characters. Bigger, the ghost, being one of my favorites. The scene when they visited his family completely broke me. I haven’t been that affected by a book since the nightingale. Devastation, no breathing.

This is a true story in every sense of the word, I loved the way things unfolded and I found the tale to be completely captivating. I’m also such a sucker for a multiple POV.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC!

This story has a slight Southern gothic flavour to it and follows the protagonist Genevieve through her travels and misadventures.

Her skills include an ability to communicate with ghosts and an affinity for rattlers! Not surprisingly, this makes for a life lived on the decidedly wild side.

On her travels, she picks up an unexpected companion, who is haunted in a different way than Genevieve herself. But given the life that she has led, can she really risk taking what she is being offered?

An unusual story featuring a unique protagonist, this is told in a voice that is both unique and authentic. It gets 3.5 stars.

THIS book. This book has all the best things combined - a Southern setting, a tragic history, a chance a redemption, and characters you both love and hate. I adored it and was recommending it to my friends before I finished. It is a MUST read for anyone who loves a good Southern tale.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced audio version of The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree by India Hayford.

Ooof, this is a good read, but not easy. It has some tough stuff in it, like abuse and religious fanaticism, so approach with caution.

This is the story of a young Vietnam vet who has just returned home, freshly traumatized to his tyrannical preacher father, and abused mother, and siblings, all of whom have different loyalties. But when a mysterious Genevieve appears in their life, none of them can prepare for how much things will change. For starters, she can see and hear the ghosts that haunt the young veteran.

I think what surprised and pleased me the most, was the lack of romance, even though it would have been LOW hanging fruit. Instead it was about resilience, strength, women and MEN standing up and doing the right thing, and unearthing dirty, ugly secrets. I really liked this book.

Song of the Blue Bottle Tree by India Hayford is a story that explores strength, resilience, and found family. It delves into dark elements like violence, abuse, and PTSD, ultimately focusing on love, family, and self-discovery. The multi-narrator audiobook, featuring Matt Godfrey, Laura Jennings, and Zura Johnson, enhances the story with expressive and clear voices that differentiate the characters. Highly recommend the audiobook.

This book was a disappointment. It seemed to be an attempt at capturing previous authors’ books like, Where the Crawdads Sing, instead of writing her own stories. It was too chopped up until I was 71z pthrough and I got 71% the story picked up, I had hope that the story was going to take off on it’s own; but it did not and slipped back with in a short time. There were too many stories in the book..

This is a debut novel!?! Wow!! Keeping an eye out for India Hayford, because this book really was impressive and exceptional. Her prose has a lyrical, atmospheric quality that depicts the dark underbelly of the American South in a way that’s both chilling and strangely appetizing. The promise is really cool and I can see why this was one of the most requested ARCs on Netgalley!
The synopsis:
We follow Genevieve Charbonneau, an exceptional, dynamic character, who sees ghosts and hangs out in cemeteries; she borrows her name from a tombstone she’s napping on. Eventually she makes it back to what’s left of her distant family. She’s quickly welcomed by them, and Genevieve learns they’re in a dangerous domestic violence situation.
Genevieve, wanting to protect her new family, finds herself rooted in place for the first time. We follow Genevieve through her weird and wild life, learning of her time in a grim insane asylum, as a handling her beloved pythons in the circus, and dancing in a grimy strip club. Each of her life stages is a little shady but she remains a high integrity character through each of them, it sets her apart from her seedy gigs.
My thoughts:
The novel really does compare to Barbara Kingsolver and I agree with the comps listed in the blurb. It also reminded me of Water for Elephants, surely because of their common denominator of caring animals in the circus, but for the themes of redemption and vengeance.
While I loved the story, I absolutely HATED the “sanctimonious predator”, as he’s alluded to in the blurb. Ohhh my god he was so vile and got under my skin. I only read this book with plenty of daylight left to erase the disgusting imprint of this horrible, horrible character. UGH I could not stand him.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

5 emphatic stars

The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree is a beautiful fusion of historical fiction and magical realism. The story was intriguing, heartbreaking, and unique. It could be difficult for some to read as it deals with themes of abuse in multiple forms.

One question - HOW is this a debut novel? It is incredible!

The audio was fantastic, with 3 narrators - Matt Godfrey, Laura Jennings, and Zura Johnson. The different voices helped differentiate the characters. I found they all had very expressive, clear voices. I highly recommend the audiobook. I couldn't stop listening to it and finished in less than 2 days. I can't wait to see what India Hayford comes up with next.

Recommended for readers who love historical fiction with a mix of magical realism, found family, and paranormal elements.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ALC; and for letting me listen to one of my new favorite books!

The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree by India Hayford.

Thank you to @netgalley and the author @indiahayfordbooks for an ARC copy of this book.

This book was beautifully written but haunting. It covered dark themes of religion and domestic abuse. There were times that it was difficult to read because of all of the terrible things which happened in the book. However the characters were created with great depth and courage, and the story was so engaging that despite there being hard topics, you had to keep reading. The author did a beautiful job of tying up all the pieces at the end and leaving you feeling hopeful for the characters.

This was great debut novel by India Hayford. I really enjoyed this audiobook. Thank you to netgally and Kensington press for this ARC. The characters live such tragic lives and are so wonderfully developed throughout this book.
Genevieve has lived many lives in her short existence, she was committed to a psychiatric facility because she talks to ghosts, took on many roles in the circus, and a hoochy-kootch dancer. When she meets a man in the cemetery she is brought back to her family without realizing who he was. This is a very dark story with themes of rape, incest, religious indoctrination, and child marriages to name a few. But this is also a story of love and redemption. Hayford is a naturalist and her descriptions of the land and habitats are beautiful and make this an enjoyable read, it reminds me of Where the Crawdads Sing but is still such a completely different book.
If you are looking for a beautifully written book with strong characters, natural elements, and hints of magic. I’d strongly encourage you pick up this book.

Thank you, thank you, thank you #RBmedia & #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this fantastic book. I don't think there was anything I did not like about the book. Even the difficult subject matter was handled with expertise. The utilization of the perfect words in a concise, but finely constructed way, avoided redundancy or being overly descriptive.

I was hooked on this book with the first sentence.
"Ghosts started whispering to me by name the spring I turned twelve, the same spring the flesh mounded up under my nipples and the dark moon blood began its monthly flow from between my legs."
Rarely will a first sentence cause me to stop and replay the line. I even borrowed the eBook from the library because I had to see these words in print.

I am not usually interested in a supernatural storyline, unless it is a great story. This is a great story!
The audio book was superb with a multicast of characters.

The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree by India Hayford’s debut, a Southern Gothic story of trauma, grief, pain, and enduring bonds of family and friendship, is hauntingly beautiful. Solid narration by Laura Jennings as Wreath and Matt Godfrey as Mercer. Zuru Johnson’s voice as Genevieve is mesmerizing!

It has many content warnings, but the information is portrayed without being graphic or gratuitous.

This debut novel was a five star binge read for me! It has a richness of language that that captures beauty of nature.

Genevieve Charbonneau is a complex yet endearing protagonist, one whom I hope will return on the pages of another Hayford novel!

Thank you to RBmedia and NetGalley for an audio version of this title for an honest review.

I had the privilege of enjoying the audiobook of The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree by India Hayford has been praised for its haunting and visceral storytelling. Set in 1967 Arkansas, it follows Genevieve Charbonneau, a woman with a unique connection to ghosts and rattlesnakes, as she returns to her childhood home. The story delves into themes of trauma, family, and redemption, blending Southern Gothic elements with magical realism.

Listeners have highlighted the audiobook's ability to bring the characters and setting to life, making it an immersive experience. The narrative explores dark and emotional depths, offering a powerful tale of resilience and human connection. If you're a fan of Southern Gothic or stories with complex characters and rich atmospheres, this might be a captivating listen for you!

The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree by India Hayford is a mesmerizing blend of folklore, mystery, and emotional depth that completely swept me away. The audiobook narration is nothing short of magical—bringing each character vividly to life and drawing you deep into the heart of the story. Hayford’s writing is rich and lyrical, painting scenes with such beauty and authenticity that I felt like I was walking beside the characters, hearing the wind through the trees and the haunting call of the blue bottle tree itself. The blend of magical realism with deeply human themes makes this a truly unique experience. It's rare to find a story that feels both timeless and fresh, and this one struck that perfect balance. I laughed, I held my breath, and yes—I cried. The characters are unforgettable, especially the strong and soulful protagonist whose journey of self-discovery and healing feels incredibly real and relatable. Highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who loves beautifully told stories that stir the soul. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.

This does have content that could trigger some people- explicit physical abuse and child sexual abuse especially.

I was on the fence about picking this up due to the whole magical element of the book. I did, and I was find until the climax. That pushed over my tolerance for anything fantasy. So, basically, I am not the target audience, so take my rating with a grain of salt.

I did enjoy the setting and characters- well MOST of the characters. Bigger was my favorite. I liked how they overcame adversity.

Zura Johnson, Matt Godfrey, and Laura Jennings narrate the audiobook. It is told from many POVs, so while I enjoyed the narration a lot, I kind of prefer either one narrator or one for each POV. The in-between, like this, is kind of confusing from a listening aspect. You associate a voice with a POV, but that was not the case.

I received an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Im sorry to say, that I had trouble following this story. There were time jumps and so many characters that I didn’t under what it was supposed to be about.

I’m sure it’s a great book but as an audio book I’m not sure.

1967 Arkansas and Genevieve has returned to her childhood home. She escaped a mental hospital, worked at a circus and danced to earn money. She meets a trouble Vietnam veteran and family members. She sees abuse dispensed by the local Preacher, both to his family and parishioners. He must be stroked.

Well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Good complicated characters who have lots in their lives to resolve. Can they help others who need rescuing from the Preacher or is life just too difficult or dangerous?