I fumed at Nick Wilgus’ account of self-righteous “buckle of the bible belt” evangelical homophobia in “Shaking the Sugar Tree.” But I’ve never encountered a more eloquent portrayal of love, in all its glorious imperfection.

In its first edition, “Shaking the Sugar Tree “was written before the Supreme Court’s same sex marriage decision. It features Wiley Cantrell, once a successful writer, raising Noah solo; his deaf “meth baby,” who is now 9 years old. His family ridicules Wiley as a gay father who won’t let either “proper” (i.e. straight) grandparent raise Noah. Wiley works a part-time minimum wage job, both because of discrimination and Nick’s needs. But Wiley barely cares about material success. Noah’s love, a testament to Wiley’s superb parenting, is all Wiley thinks he needs.

How does he survive? With a wicked sense of humor that mimics his bigoted, but honest grandfather. Wiley’s comical, positive nature attracts Jackson, a Boston-born pediatric nurse who knows sign language and treats Noah like an average kid. What follows is “North meets South” and a gentle, toe-tingling courtship.

This is one of the funniest books I’ve read. Here are Wiley’s descriptions of two men he cruises, while his “gaydar was twitching like a jack rabbit at a rodeo.” One guy “smiles such a heavenly smile that I thought the butter might slide right off my biscuits.” And another “was a fine-looking how-do-you-do.” Wiley is much, much funnier, but I’ve chosen PG quotes and he’s an X-rated kinda guy. When Wiley and his mother or Papaw (grandfather) get going, my eyes and nose ran in laughter.

It’s not easy to pen a hero whose best traits are also his worst. Wiley’s “heart was so full of love and such stout determination.” He adores Noah, wishing the boy’s mom “could have felt what it was like to be loved by Noah, loved by someone who was so wonderful and good-hearted.” They often visit his homophobic family, even his brother, who regularly tries to beat the gay out. He won’t give up on his beloved Mississippi, where a gay mayoral candidate was shot, but “half the state voted for Obama this past election, not just the blacks, but a lot of white and Hispanics and everyone else.” Yes, this means he gives his heart away too easily, and we’re nervous about what will happen with Jackson. But I am in awe of Wiley, a true model of Christianity, in his ability to turn the other cheek, regardless of others’ mistreatment.

Wilgus uses the novel to impart pivotal information about deafness, such as, “Touch is an important part of a relationship with a deaf person, especially a deaf child… They can tell a lot about you just by touching you, holding you, connecting with you. Your body is a map as far as they’re concerned.” Wilgus is impassioned in asserting that deafness is a difference rather than disability.

Finally, Wilgus creates a rich cast of unsupportive characters. From in-laws, to mom, brother, and especially Wiley’s Papaw, each has a rich, but unique personality, deftly drawn in humor. Here’s Papaw’s advice to Wiley. “‘Don’t run away from your problems, kid. Just take ‘em up the chuff and use a lot of Crisco, eh?’” And here’s how Papaw responds when Wiley asks him not to call Noah “deaf boy.” “‘He’s as deaf as a post. What do you want me to call him? It’s not like he can hear me anyway, is it?’”

If society could provide reparative therapy to born-again dogmatists, “Shaking the Sugar Tree” might be their new bible. In the gentlest, warmest, and kindest of manners, mixed alongside outrageous human foibles and humility, Wiley taught me the answer to a confounding philosophical question. “Can LOVE love HATRED?” Yes, pugnacious, world-weary Wiley proves absurdity can bridge misunderstanding, bringing perspective, until healthier bonds are formed.

In my book, Nick Wilgus’ second edition of “Shaking the Sugar Tree” is a national treasure. I’m praying Sugar Tree 2 and 3 are released soon. Meanwhile, I’ve stocked up on the rest of this superlative author’s back inventory, so excuse me while I rush to devour them.