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20th out of 98 books
—
52 voters
Why I Live at the P.O.
by
Eudora Welty
Eudora Welty, one of America's great storytellers, relates, in her sweetly vibrant Mississippi drawl, five of her finest stories. from the uproariously irreverent Why I Live at the P.O. and the quieter, richly perceptive A Memory and A Worn Path to sponteneous Powerhouse and the insightful voice of women's truth's in Petrified Man, Welty opens up her stories and invites th
...more
Published
(first published January 1st 1941)
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Sibling rivalry described with humor. Poor sister, everything she does backfires.
Writers is a great series on UEN. The Eudora Welty House Foundation found and restored a film of unknown interviews and readings by Miss Welty. A wondedful introduction to this prolific writer.
She said this story was inspired by how people isolated in small towns dramatize everything to make life more interesting: have fights, stop talking to each other, give presents and take them back. She says she didn't have a p...more
Writers is a great series on UEN. The Eudora Welty House Foundation found and restored a film of unknown interviews and readings by Miss Welty. A wondedful introduction to this prolific writer.
She said this story was inspired by how people isolated in small towns dramatize everything to make life more interesting: have fights, stop talking to each other, give presents and take them back. She says she didn't have a p...more
Repeating myself... I love Eudora Welty's writing, especially her humor. I first heard this story on tape, recorded by the author herself. I can't remember when I laughed so hysterically. (The only other time that comes even close was when listening to a recording of David Sedaris reading his account of a Christmas tale, titled "Six to Eight Black Men"...) Reading the written short story "Why I Live at the P.O." was just as entertaining, and even allowed me to pick up little details I had missed...more
I did a bit of reading about Eudora Welty and she had an interesting life. Soon after her first novel was published, she stopped writing to care full-time for her family for fifteen years: for two brothers with severe arthritis and her mother who had had a stroke. After her mother died in 1966, she returned to writing and was also an accomplished photographer.
I wanted to know more about her because I just didn't connect with her writing. I can see how is is of great historical significance as s...more
I wanted to know more about her because I just didn't connect with her writing. I can see how is is of great historical significance as s...more
One of my favorite stories! Absolutely smashing. Will get a good chuckle and a nod of approval from those of us who understand. Some of us are different, and we're happier and need our own space. Leave us alone. ;)
This story has sentimental value for me. First, because I read it out loud to my college boyfriend one summer when he was suffering a painful case of dysentery. (You probably thought dysentery ended with the Civil War. Nope.) Anyway, I had to stop reading it because it made him laugh so much. Still, I recommend it, especially out loud.
Second sentimental reason is that when I had kids, my father wanted to be called something besides "Grandpa," and I remembered one of the characters in this story...more
Second sentimental reason is that when I had kids, my father wanted to be called something besides "Grandpa," and I remembered one of the characters in this story...more
one of the funniest short stories i have ever read.
i have a sister, maybe that unfairly influences my opinion.
stella rondo + moving out + living where you work + family feud = hilarity.
i have a sister, maybe that unfairly influences my opinion.
stella rondo + moving out + living where you work + family feud = hilarity.
"Why I Live at the P.O." is one of the funniest Southern short stories ever written. She paved the way for people like Flannery O'Connor, and even T. C. Boyle.
My favorite Welty story. Her sense of humor is unparalleled and her portrayal of sibling rivalry and family dysfunction is superb!
This is pretty hilarious. Apparently I've never read Welty so I'm off to read some more...
This story perfectly catches the cadence of small town Mississippi life. What a gem!
WHY I LIVE AT THE POST OFFICE is a must read short story
Read this in college for a class and it has stuck with me.
I thought it was dull, I wasn't impressed.
May 05, 2009
Tina Mccain
added it
I love anything by Eudora Welty!
lovely lovely little book
I had to get five years and fifteen hundred miles away from my home town to fully appreciate to Welty's writing. This story is quintessential Welty, quintessential Mississippi. One of my favorite stories of all time. My brother and I tried reading it out loud in our best southern drawls and we ended up laughing so hard we couldn't finish it. She captures Southern humor and the complexity of human relationsips like no other. And to think I used to see her shopping in the Jitney 14. Bless her soul...more
Hilarious.
Great audible book!
.
This little story has one of those one-of-a-kind narrators...she and Ignatius Reilly would make good teammates for a caper.
Anywho, it is a comedy, a domestic drama, a glimpse of the South...and, true to its title, it tells us why, indeed, she finds herself living at the little post office where she works. Recommended for everyone!
Anywho, it is a comedy, a domestic drama, a glimpse of the South...and, true to its title, it tells us why, indeed, she finds herself living at the little post office where she works. Recommended for everyone!
A sweet and salty Southern short story...Feels like you're watching from a front porch swing with a nice, sweaty glass of ice tea. I actually listened to a reading by Welty of this story, which was amazing to witness with her Mississippi manner - and I thought I talked fast!
One of my all-time favorite short stories, this is best if you can get a hold of the recording of Eudora reading it herself. She reads it with an unbeatable rhythm:a fast-paced,unceasing stream of southern drawl. Hilarious.
I loved this story. Back in college I took a lit class and the prof assigned a lot of southern writers to read. Eudora Welty was one of them. She was so funny! I felt like I was in Mississippi.
Jan 11, 2008
Margie Ferguson
added it
my favorite line from this book I stole from my friend Alan Huffman. "Why you just made that up sitting there eating breast of chicken"
I just do NOT connect with the writing style. Neither do I see the humor others ee. Finally, I never seem to like short stories.
I love her style: funny, readable and meaningful.
Welty at her best? My opinion.
Regional writing at its best.
Sep 28, 2008
Michelle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Someone looking to read a really funny, well written story
Recommended to Michelle by:
myself
My favorite story ever!
Rereading this one.
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Eudora Alice Welty was an award-winning American author who wrote short stories and novels about the American South. Her book The Optimist's Daughter won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among numerous awards. She was the first living author to have her works published by the Library of America.
Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and lived a sig...more
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Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and lived a sig...more
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