The title has a double meaning. The story does expose the colorful lifestyles of people living and enjoying life on the Mississippi - from a wealthy Cincinnati lawyer, a talented sculptor of classics in the mud to an old voovoo lady who performs miracles - almost. A deeper meaning is brought out through the personal relationships and feelings of these people from different stations in life as they are brought together through some rather strange happenings. A strained love story is brought to a successful and happy ending through the sincere concerns of some "good lod boys" and their friends who live and play in the small town by the banks of the Mississippi. The hero, one Andrew Brown, grows up, aided by his mentor "Uncle Ben."
While Andrew was taking it all in, he noticed a riverboat coming around the bend just up above the spot where he was. He decided he could wait and watch it go by. As the boat came close to that side of the river, it was in plain sight for Andrew. He could see the captain in the pilothouse. Andrew waved. The captain blew his whistle. That brought back a particular memory for Andrew. He remembered the incident in the cabin with Mama. She said she didn't think the boat whistles would disturb those sleeping on the ridge. Made Andrew wonder. He knew Mama was in the place she would want to be - in this world overlooking the river. But, was she really there? Andrew didn't think so. What was of this world was of this world. He thought the real Mama had to be somewhere else - not rotting in that wooden box. No wonder the boat whistles didn't wake the dead. They weren't there! They were somewhere else!
Excerpt
The first night we went down there - to her hut by the river - I was scared. It was at night, of course. She scared me, and her place scared me - at first. But when she began to talk and be so sympsthetic to me and to Bonnie, I came to like her. She started out womewhat the same way Ben did - talking to Bonnie and being interested in anything and everything she did or lived in her life. Again, I had to help with the explanations. She asked me about things as she went along. Then the second time we went down there Mama gave Bonnie some strange liquid to drink. I was uneasy about this, but Mama assured me it was OK. I went along. But later I asked her if I could take some home and have it tested. She said she understood completely. I took it to old Dr. McNeemer.
In a post-coup America, an Illinois farm boy is drawn into the resistance by his brother's death. Captured, he is given a choice: betray his friends, or the girl he loves will be lobotomized.
