Grandma Dowdel

Grandma Dowdel is Mary Alice's elderly grandmother, and she serves as the heart of the novel. She is a larger-than-life presence, and not only because of her large frame. She has a wild history with the town, including her reputation as a crack shot and her willingness to use her firearms. Her husband, Grandpa Dowdel, died many years ago, and she has carried on as a single widow. She has very little formal schooling. She is extremely self-sufficient and has a tireless work ethic, and while she lives simply, she is never in need of basic necessities.

Mary Alice is initially fearful of Grandma Dowdel, much like the rest of the town. This fear is perhaps motivated by the fact that Grandma is a woman of few words, and rarely does she explain herself or her actions. She has a strong sense of justice, and several episodes...