Blinded by Jealousy.
Set in Cold Sassy, Georgia, at the turn of the twentieth century, Olive Ann Burns's book tells the story of one year in the life of the narrator, Will Tweedy. The novel shows the changes in the attitudes of Will Tweedy as he grows closer to adulthood. Despite the coming-of-age theme in the book, the fourteen-year-old narrator allows his insecurities to blind him to the hardships of another teenage boy named Hosie Roach. Will's character flaws insecurity and self-centeredness-keep him from seeing that while he is a privileged town boy who will inherit wealth, Hosie is a poor mill boy who must work to make something of himself. Will's father and grandfather are pleased with Hosie's work as soon as Hosie begins. Hosie scrubs himself clean and even shaves his head so that customers won't "git the nits"