Georgia Bottoms

Apr 02, 2012 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Lovers of Contemporary Southern Literature, Humor

Recommended to Mike by: Jake Reiss, owner of The Alabama Booksmith, Homewood, Al

Shelves: contemporary-southern-literature, fiction, mothers-and-children, southern-literature, folk-art, race, 2011, on-the-southern-literary-trail

I've read each of Mark Childress's novels since his first, "A World Made of Fire," published in 1984. Born in Monroeville, Alabama, and a graduate of the University of Alabama, Childress is a master at portraying Southern folks. Some accuse Childress of creating stereotypical characters. But the fact is that the original persona existed before being labelled a stereotype.

Childress skewers lascivious preachers,less than upright pillars of the community,and intolerant attitudes in "Georgia Bottoms...more I've read each of Mark Childress's novels since his first, "A World Made of Fire," published in 1984. Born in Monroeville, Alabama, and a graduate of the University of Alabama, Childress is a master at portraying Southern folks. Some accuse Childress of creating stereotypical characters. But the fact is that the original persona existed before being labelled a stereotype.

Childress skewers lascivious preachers,less than upright pillars of the community,and intolerant attitudes in "Georgia Bottoms." It's great fun.

Georgia is from an old family in a small Alabama town. Originally named "Butts," Georgia's mama had the good sense to change the family name to "Bottoms." But now, the Bottoms have no assets other than their large rambling home. Mama is showing signs of dementia. Brother is on parole. It's up to Georgia to sustain the family.

Georgia is the belle of the town and a very practical woman. She doesn't believe in marriage. She likes to keep her options open.
She entertains six gentlemen, one each night of the week except on Monday. Each gentleman caller bestows gifts on Georgia. None know any of the others exist.

What Georgia needs to keep home and family together not covered by her callers gifts she makes up by selling quilts sewed by a group of black women in another part of the state (If you've not seen the work of the Gee's Bend Quilters, you should). Georgia buys quilts cheap and sells high in the town gift shop. The quilters haven't made it big yet, so Georgia lets her neighbors believe she's the quilt maker. No one calls Georgia at night because that's quilt making time. And it's a convenient cover for her six gentlemen callers.

The guilt ridden preacher at the First Baptist Church, "Mr. Saturday," is about to spill the beans to his congregation on Sunday morning. Brother is on a crusade to have Judge Roy Moore's Ten Commandments removed from the State Judicial Building. A documentary about a unique group of quilters is about to air on Public TV. And a little blue pill will cause that condition that should lead to medical treatment if it lasts for more than four hours.

Georgia may need more than one day off a week to keep on juggling her very busy life and deal with a secret from her past she's kept hidden for twenty years. Childress entertains as always. "Georgia Bottoms" is a rollicking romp.

EDIT: This review is shared for the benefit of goodreads group "On the Southern Literary Trail," and to draw readers to a talented contemporary Southern author.

Mike Sullivan
Founder and Moderator
"On the Southern Literary Trail"

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Nov 26, 2012 Alice rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mark Childress' writing is wonderful. I did laugh out loud several times and smiled through most of the book. Georgia Bottoms is a memorable character who fights every day of her life to "keep the plates spinning," as she puts it. She says she is self-centered and selfish, which is true, although she does take care of her dotty mother and AA-avoiding brother.

I loved the characters in her small Southern town, including the preachers, the law enforcement officers, the nosy ladies--I could see all...more

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May 14, 2013 Kathy Reinhart rated it 4 of 5 stars

I generally love fiction by southern writers, or anyone who has a true grasp of small town southern life. I love Fannie Flagg and had heard good things about Mark Childress, so I bought Georgia Bottoms.

What I liked: Almost everything. I enjoyed the plot immensely. I love Mark's writing and his way of storytelling. The pages turned methodically, no real dead spots or accelerations that left you in the dust... until...

What I didn't like: I think such a wonderful read deserved a better ending. Actu...more

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Apr 12, 2013 Thomas Holbrook rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Mark Childress is a Son of the South - the south that is educated, Self-aware, unashamed and duly remorseful for its sins. In that culture, one’s “sins” are largely an open “secret,” bizarre behavior is expected, peculiar people are celebrated and Church is a gathering place where the role is kept more for social standing than for being “called up Yonder.” Because Mr. Childress is a native, he is fluent in the language of the South, both verbal and nonverbal, and his stories reflect places of t...more Mark Childress is a Son of the South - the south that is educated, Self-aware, unashamed and duly remorseful for its sins. In that culture, one’s “sins” are largely an open “secret,” bizarre behavior is expected, peculiar people are celebrated and Church is a gathering place where the role is kept more for social standing than for being “called up Yonder.” Because Mr. Childress is a native, he is fluent in the language of the South, both verbal and nonverbal, and his stories reflect places of that wondrous region that one would enjoy visiting but would soon learn to be wary of “staying past your welcome.” This present novel is a case in point of such a place and of the author’s gift of story-telling.
Six Points, Alabama, once one of the richest locations in Alabama, now a place so small that cell phones get spotty service, cable television is as rare as central air conditioning and “everybody knows everybody’s business,” or so the inhabitants think. Georgia Bottoms, life-long resident of that quiet community, is proof positive that what is seen is what is displayed, but what is displayed is not always as it appears. Ms. Georgia is the last of a long line of a “moneyed” family whose money is long-gone and what she has left is the family mansion along with the bills to maintain it and her family. This family consists of her mother, “Little Mama,” an elderly woman whose memory is as consistent as is the cell phone service and Brother, a cute, charming, alcoholic miscreant. The story opens with Georgia sitting in church, realizing that her way of life is about to be ended by an unwise confession from a surprising source. Her reaction to this threat is but the beginning of a series of steps Georgia takes to keep her life going on.
Much of the antics recorded are hilarious (the arrest of Brother for Domestic Terrorism is one that could be read with glee repeatedly) while they are desperate and risky. What the reader learns of Georgia in the years she/he journey with her is the length one is willing to travel to provide for loved ones. The revelations, when they come, are made less shocking by the connection the reader has with Six Points and the reality that “one does what one has to do” in that small town. This is a book for an adult reader, as there are sexual situations, racial slurs and issues that require knowledge of life beyond adolescence to understand.
This book is one that would be a great summer/vacation read. There is much to ponder, but presented in such a way that one can read the story, laughing frequently and not have to stop and consider what has just been read.
At heart, this book is one of redemption, forgiveness and repentance. Georgia, a weekly church attending atheist, has no belief in, or expectation of, God. Her life is spent in Self-Sacrifice, seeing the needs of others as of greater importance that her comfort. Her mistakes are plenteous, but not so huge that the reader cannot grasp them. Her choice to face one of the larger “mistakes” and take responsibility for it requires that she cease hiding and LIVE; that choice allows her to walk into a new life unblemished by secrets. The reader is left with a sense of rejoicing in this “rebirth” while knowing that there are still things Georgia must face before she can truly be free.
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Mar 09, 2013 Ricki Treleaven rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recently I read Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress. I love Childress' style, and Crazy in Alabama is one of my all-time favorites. I did not like Georgia Bottoms as well, however it was very well-written. Georgia Bottoms is an archetype that all women hate and fear: the other woman. In spite of Childress' more than sympathetic treatment of Georgia, she still did not win me over. I simply could not relate to her on any level.

Georgia is small town Six Points, Alabama's, most beautiful woman: And sh...more Recently I read Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress. I love Childress' style, and Crazy in Alabama is one of my all-time favorites. I did not like Georgia Bottoms as well, however it was very well-written. Georgia Bottoms is an archetype that all women hate and fear: the other woman. In spite of Childress' more than sympathetic treatment of Georgia, she still did not win me over. I simply could not relate to her on any level.

Georgia is small town Six Points, Alabama's, most beautiful woman: And she knows it! In order to supplement her income of reselling handmade quilts she buys from rural black women, Georgia is the one night per week mistress to six of the most powerful men in Six Points. She gives herself the day off on Mondays. No one knows about her secret life other than the married men with whom she fools around; in Six Points she is known for her gorgeous quilts and her delicious cooking. She hosts one of the best annual luncheons in town, and she never misses church services at the local Baptist church. Things almost fall apart for Georgia when her Mr. Saturday Night, the Baptist minister, almost confesses to his sin of adultery during a service. But Reverend Hendrix's plans are foiled when Georgia faints in the middle of the aisle and causes such a scene that the sermon is cut short.

Georgia's life is like a house of cards. She cares for both her demented mother and her loser brother. Plus she is juggling six married men while preparing and cooking for her annual luncheon. When only two guests attend her September 11, 2001 luncheon, things begin to spiral downward for Georgia, and it seems that her "spinning plates" are about to crash.

Here is a list of why I do not care about Georgia Bottoms:

1. She is a hypocrite: She does not believe in God, yet she never misses church.
2. She uses married men for money with little or no regard for their families.
3. She thinks that she is actually "saving" the marriages of the men she uses. Huh???
4. She has been keeping a secret for twenty years, and it makes me hate her when it is revealed.
5. She passes off others' art as her own. :/
6. She only cares about appearances.

I hate to be so negative about one of Mark Childress' books....really I do. But it is not his writing, and it is not the story that I dislike, it is Georgia. However, I must admit that there is a glimmer of hope for her at the end of the book. Georgia Bottoms desperately needs a fresh start at a new (less selfish) life, and she seems anxious to get started.
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Dec 16, 2012 William rated it 2 of 5 stars

A friend lent this book to us, so I read it. Aside from being a fast read, it unfortunately turned out to be pretty much a waste of time. Now, having once lived in Tennessee for a number of years, I generally enjoy fiction with a Southern setting. In fact, this may be the first such novel that I have not liked.

Why? The plot is unfortunately tawdry and to some extent, predictable. If you have heard the old pop song "Harper Valley PTA," you don't need to read this. While there is some humor which...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Lauren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, southern-lit

This book has a fantastically cute cover, and ever since the first time I saw it faced-out on the shelf at the bookstore, I knew I had to read it. I didn’t even look at the description, to be honest, I just put it straight on my To Read list and put a hold on it at the library. Of course, not having read the description, I thought it was going to be a book about a place in Georgia. I love the South, with its hospitality, food, and unbelievable charm, and having spent four years in Georgia growin...more This book has a fantastically cute cover, and ever since the first time I saw it faced-out on the shelf at the bookstore, I knew I had to read it. I didn’t even look at the description, to be honest, I just put it straight on my To Read list and put a hold on it at the library. Of course, not having read the description, I thought it was going to be a book about a place in Georgia. I love the South, with its hospitality, food, and unbelievable charm, and having spent four years in Georgia growing up, I consider it to be one of my favorite states. As I came to find out, however, the book gets its title from its protagonist, a woman named Georgia Bottoms. As it centers around her small-town life in rural Alabama, though, it still possesses the cute Southern personality I had been expecting before I even knew what the book was about.

Georgia Bottoms is the Southern belle and community darling of Six Points, Alabama. A small town that’s still waiting for cell phones, A/C, traffic lights, and the internet, Six Points is a 21st century village that’s still as cut off from the rest of the world as it was in 1950. For that reason, lineage means a lot, and the roots of the Bottoms’ family tree helped build Six Points. While Georgia is careful to keep up appearances and hold up the family name (with no help from her dementia-ridden mother and her law-breaking brother, might I add), she has a secret life that would make her forefathers roll over in their graves and the town to ostracize her forever.

Georgia Bottoms is a lady of the night.

Her clientele includes the most influential men in town, from the Sheriff to the Preacher to the Doctor and banker: all happily-married men who are willing to pay Georgia for some extra entertainment once a week. For Georgia, it’s less about the men and more about the cash, as she is solely responsible for keeping her worn-down family home running. It also helps her do some things for the community good, like getting the much-needed support to help the Mayor (and her best friend) fulfill her campaign promises.

Unfortunately, Georgia’s happy, easy lifestyle is about to come tearing down when the Preacher tries to come clean about their relationship.

I would like to say more about the plot of this book, but it didn’t really have much of one. It describes Georgia’s life, her family, and her challenges, but it doesn’t really have one overarching plot. Things happen, sure, but the book is more like a snapshot of a few months of her life. There’s not some mystery to be solved. There’s not a big romance to be had. Challenges arise, but Georgia just deals with them. There’s not a lot of thinking and mulling over possible options, she just nips everything in the bud and moves on.

That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. The book was a delicious blend of humor, naughtiness, and the Southern lifestyle. I couldn’t figure out where the book was going, but I was enjoying my time regardless. Georgia is one hell of a character, the kind of woman who gets things done and can handle anything, and I really enjoyed reading about her lifestyle. The ending - and by that I mean the very, very last 8 - 10 pages - kind of tied everything together and made me say, “Ah, so that’s what this whole thing was about.” Until then, though, I was pretty clueless as to where Childress was going.

Altogether, I was left with some mixed feelings about the book. If you like to read books for the sake of reading them, to feel a part of a character’s life without any real notion of what you’re doing there, it’s worth your time. If you like a book that seems to have more of a purpose, though, you might want to look elsewhere. (less)

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Dec 03, 2011 Jan rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, chick-lit, least-favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 03, 2011 Mti Librarian rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, adult, cheating, disfunctional-families, emily-s-2011-reading-challenge, jail, humor, mental-illness, politics, prostitution, religion, teen-pregnancy, racism, alabama, new-orleans, quilting

I liked it, but found it serious and slightly depressing rather than humerous and lol. I love a good disfunctional family story and this book totally fits that bill, but the main character Georgia just struggles so hard to keep up the house of cards that is the illusion of her perfect life. Too many facades and too much trying to live up to other people's expectations, but I guess that's what small town life is like. I did enjoy the quilting part of the book, even though it was not what I expect...more I liked it, but found it serious and slightly depressing rather than humerous and lol. I love a good disfunctional family story and this book totally fits that bill, but the main character Georgia just struggles so hard to keep up the house of cards that is the illusion of her perfect life. Too many facades and too much trying to live up to other people's expectations, but I guess that's what small town life is like. I did enjoy the quilting part of the book, even though it was not what I expected. I also liked the Sept 11, 2001 chapter, the emotions felt very true to what I experienced. I think of Georgia Bottoms as a modern Scarlet O'Hara. This book takes place over several years from 2001 to probably 2006.

Georgia Bottoms is a good little southern gal, born and raised in Six Points, Alabama. Georgia's mother, Little Mama, is a true blooded racist who thinks that the world has been going to heck since Rosa Parks, but is slowly loosing her mind to Alzhemier's. Georgia's brother is a wobbly mess, in and out of jail and on and off the wagon. Being the respondsible one in the family, Georgia supports the family by selling quilts, and discreetly "entertaining" gentleman friends, one for each night of the week. Georgia ingeniously pretends to devote her evening quilting her fingers to the bone, while in reality she is acting out elaborate erotic fantasy with her gentlemen in the appartment over the garage. Things get shakey when the local preacher, Eugene Hendrix or Mr. Saturday night, driven by guilt and probably his wife, tries to confess all to the Sunday morning congregation. Luckily, Georgia can think quickly on her feet as well as off of them.

Spoiler: (view spoiler)

Emily's Reading Challenge: Quilt(less)

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Oct 06, 2011 Rick rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love the southern fiction genre and this sits squarely in the middle of the lot. I have enjoyed several of Mark Childress' books in the past and this one is no exception. I loved the character of Georgia and Mark developed her storyline flawlessly, each of the characters are fleshed out enough to become real, at least in my mind, I can visually picture each of them. I think this book borders on being as good as Crazy in Alabama but it's just not quite there. I did laugh out loud on more than o...more

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Aug 22, 2011 Autumn rated it 2 of 5 stars

Georgia Bottoms has problems. The family fortune is a myth, her mother is slowly succumbing to an Alzheimer's like fog, her brother is a drunk and a petty thief, and her carefully constructed house of adultery cards is starting to tumble down. To top it all off, her illegitimate half African-American son has come back into her life. Did I mention that her best friend (and female mayor of the quaint little town of Six Points) is in love with her? What's a Southern belle to do?

I'd heard how funny...more Georgia Bottoms has problems. The family fortune is a myth, her mother is slowly succumbing to an Alzheimer's like fog, her brother is a drunk and a petty thief, and her carefully constructed house of adultery cards is starting to tumble down. To top it all off, her illegitimate half African-American son has come back into her life. Did I mention that her best friend (and female mayor of the quaint little town of Six Points) is in love with her? What's a Southern belle to do?

I'd heard how funny Childress' books were, so I picked this up at the library; what a disappointment. For me, there were very few laughs in 'Georgia Bottoms', and no heart at all. Childress definitely has ability--his dialogue is well done, and the story does eventually come to a sort of believable end. The problem is that he takes a very round about way of getting there. That's normally not an issue for me (two of my favorites are John Irving and Stephen King, and Lord knows they go all Dickens at a drop of a hat), but the byways in Georgia Bottoms aren't all that interesting, not do they lead naturally to the ending. To tell the truth, it looks like Childress was forcing 'wackiness' in place of actual story. I got frustrated by the meandering side stories because they seemed to be mainly in the service of time worn cliches about the South and Southerners, rather than actually enhancing the story. Childress is no Flannery O'Connor (as he is dubiously compared to on a jacket blurb), no Jan Karon--hell, he's no Fanny Flagg.

In Georgia Bottoms, he's created one of the least likable characters I've ever read: she's self-absorbed, self-centered, a hypocrite, and an unabashed racist (though she'd deny both of the last to the death). Her world is... unappealing. I 'get' that perhaps that's something that's supposed to make the reader feel wise--the fact that we see these things about Georgia and she doesn't. David Nicholls does the same thing with his main character, Brian, in the fine 'Starter for 10'. The difference between Georgia and Brian, though, is that we can see ourselves within Brian (even while seeing what a prat he can be); there is no such point of connection with Georgia.

I give this two stars--it was ok--because I can see that Childress really does have talent. I'll definitely try another one of his novels, to see if he got it 'right' in another story. Georgia Bottoms is not unstomachable...but I wouldn't read it again. (less)

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Aug 08, 2011 Shelley rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Georgia Bottoms, is a 30 something Southern "lady" from Six Points, Alabama. From all outward appearances she has it all together. She is single by choice and takes care of her aging and increasingly forgetful mama, and her brother, who is always getting into some sort of trouble. She wears fashionable clothes, is friends with the female mayor and attends church EVERY Sunday because that is what good Southern ladies do. However, appearances can be deceiving. Ms. Georgia Bottoms has a side life t...more Georgia Bottoms, is a 30 something Southern "lady" from Six Points, Alabama. From all outward appearances she has it all together. She is single by choice and takes care of her aging and increasingly forgetful mama, and her brother, who is always getting into some sort of trouble. She wears fashionable clothes, is friends with the female mayor and attends church EVERY Sunday because that is what good Southern ladies do. However, appearances can be deceiving. Ms. Georgia Bottoms has a side life that no one in town is aware of, even her own Mama who lives in the main house. Georgia entertains a different influential man in town one night per week, six nights out of the week. One is the bank manager, one the sheriff, and one is the preacher of her church. She has never asked them for money for her company but they all leave her a gift when they go. Until....it all comes unraveled. Just when Georgia thinks she has a handle on the next crisis, something else happens. Her secrets keep popping out all over and before long she is swimming in a pool of lies and carefully engineered plans and schemes. She cannot seem to keep it together and then it gets worse. The biggest secret of her entire life is exposed and she has no choice but to step up to the plate and figure a way out of the fallout.

I loved the characters because they are familiar to me. I have lived in a small Alabama town and even now, live in a larger town but with the same kind of people. My ABSOLUTE favorite part is when Georgia gets Eugene Hendrix "re-assigned" by the Baptist Convention and then calls the moving truck to show up on their steps and move Eugene and Brenda, just out of spite. I would do that. Great, fast read that had some unexpected twists and turns and kept me turning page after page.

I think that this is a book that you will either like or hate. There were parts of Georgia that I did not like at all. But she is a scrapper and found a way to take care of her family in her own way. If you are easily offended by adultery, lies, vapid females with no real sense of the outside world, etc. then this book is not for you. (less)

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Jun 20, 2011 Lois rated it 1 of 5 stars

Do NOT read this book. Don't be fooled by cover blurbs that say "funny" or any synonyms thereto. Granted it was amusing at the very beginning. But it became apparent by the third disk that no plot was going to happen. Scenes were strung together over the coarse of YEARS with Georgia facing some glitches but no REAL trouble.

Various bits (it would be an overstatement to call them threads) are knotted together in the climax in the book, wherein Georgia tells everyone how many guys she's been sleepi...more

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May 28, 2011 Alan Wells rated it 2 of 5 stars

In many ways this book was an entertaining read or sorts; albeit quick and somewhat light, but I feel short changed by it's lack of character development and credibility. I think the author has a good idea for the character of Georgia - and near the end of this story you realize the potential for this character - however, for most of the book she remains a caricature.

I suppose this book can be viewed as a humorous parody of small town southern culture, and it has some realistic portrayals and di...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

There are many reasons to dislike Georgia Bottoms; she gets paid for her dalliances with married men, she is selfish and self-centered, and she has a past that she ran from instead of confronting it. But you can't help like her, because she is also loving, thoughtful, and strong.

The review of this book led me to believe it would be a cute story about a cute Southern town. When it turned out to be more than that, I wanted to drop kick the hardback across the room.

"This is not the book I signed up...more

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Mar 31, 2011 Lucinda Mcintyre rated it 5 of 5 stars

What if Scarlett O'Hara had lived 150 years later - and had to care for her family during hard times in the New South? How would she have financed the upkeep of her crumbling antebellum home and do-nothing relatives? Meet Georgia Bottoms who is clearly not a call girl - since one cannot call her - but a modern day courtesan – perhaps – but also a well respected, church-going member of the community. Mark Childress knows the Southern voice, the sense of humor that thinly covers tragedy, the layer...more

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Mar 25, 2011 Lori L (She Treads Softly) rated it 3 of 5 stars

In Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress the title character keeps herself busy trying to support her mother and brother in a small Alabama town. She's a mistress to six men - each one knows nothing about the others. Each man leaves her a little something after their evening is done. And Georgia has another on-going money making scheme. The problem is that Georgia's carefully planned way of life is threatening to fall apart.

Despite the fact that it does have some funny moments, Georgia Bottoms is no...more

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Mar 09, 2011 Kris rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 23, 2011 Jules rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, reviewed, sent-4-review

Adultery, quasi-prostitution, racism and various illegal activities are just a few of the things taking place in this story set in the South. Miss Georgia Bottoms is what we are led to believe is a typical Southern belle. She is a gracious hostess, she cares for her ailing mother, she defends and enables her worthless Brother and she loves her friends and neighbors. She also just happens to sleep with six of those different male neighbors for money - money that is gifted to her, not to be consid...more

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Feb 22, 2011 Paul Pessolano rated it 2 of 5 stars

Georgia Bottoms lives in Six Points, Alabama. Her mother, Little Mama, is just starting to display the early stages of Alzheimers. Her brother has never done well at anything, except drinking and landing in jail.

Six Points is a small lazy southern town where everyone knows everyone else's business, except for Georgia. Georgia is thirty-four years old and has never been married, but her beauty has turned every eye in Six Points for years.

Georgia, at an early age, found the need for money. The fam...more

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Aug 29, 2012 Homewood Public Library rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Miss Georgia Bottoms, of Six Points, Alabama, has never married. She treasures her single life and independence far too much for that. But that doesn't mean she doesn't have an active social life...in fact, some would say her social life was far too active. If they knew about it. Nobody in town knows she has six gentleman callers (one for each night of the week except Monday, which is Georgia's night off). And all of her gentleman callers believe they are her only lover. And that's not Georgia's...more

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Feb 18, 2011 BecksBookPicks rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a book I have a hard time rating. I am hoping by the time I finish writing my thoughts about this book I have decided on a rating. In most aspects I liked this book. Georgia is a very intriguing character and keeps the reader entertained. She lives in her own little world. She takes care of her mother "Little Mama" who is losing her mind. For money Georgia lives a secret life. She wouldn't consider herself a prostitute since she doesn't ask for money, its gifted to her. She has one night...more This is a book I have a hard time rating. I am hoping by the time I finish writing my thoughts about this book I have decided on a rating. In most aspects I liked this book. Georgia is a very intriguing character and keeps the reader entertained. She lives in her own little world. She takes care of her mother "Little Mama" who is losing her mind. For money Georgia lives a secret life. She wouldn't consider herself a prostitute since she doesn't ask for money, its gifted to her. She has one night a week set to each gentleman and if they leave her a gift, then that's great. No one is off limits for Georgia. This in itself if fun to read about since she lives in such a small little city where cell phones don't even exist. Its very small town, very country area. The dialect in this book proves this to be from a small town.

So you may be wondering now, where I am I having such a hard time with rating this book. The answer is, the racial aspect of this book. I could have done without some of the words and the ignorance. I get that there are still people out there who don't like the other races, and this book reminds you of it, but I think the story still would have been good without it. The black people in this book spoke with horrible dialect. I live in the south. I am actually in Georgia. I do hear this dialect so it isn't foreign to me. I just could have done without it. The "N" word is used through out this book since Georgia's mom is the main one against black people. I am sure the author meant well and I enjoyed his story very much. This is my first book by him, I would be interested in reading another just to see what its like. He tells a great story. It was fun taking a trip down a southern road and here about the life's of those who still have it simple. Either way, if you can ignore the racial aspects if this is something that might offend you, then you will enjoy this story.

With that being said, I think I would give the story a 4 but the racial aspect has me put it at a 3. So this book is going to have 2 ratings I guess!(less)

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May 26, 2011 Christine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads

The product description says it all so the direct quote is … “Georgia Bottoms is known in her small community of Six Points, Alabama, as a beautiful, well-to-do, and devoutly Baptist Southern belle.

Nobody realizes that the family fortune has long since disappeared, and a determinedly single woman like Georgia needs an alternative, and discreet, means of income. In Georgia's case it is six well-heeled lovers-one for each day of the week, with Mondays off-none of whom knows about the others.

But wh...more

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Apr 14, 2011 Kandice rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2011, fiction

The cover of this book states the author, Mark Childress, is the next Flannery O'Connor. I wish that was true. Unfortunately, the author has a ways to go to reach that level of writing. While not a bad book, there's just nothing new here. Georgia, a thirty-something woman, is struggling to keep her life together as it falls apart around her. The things she encounters are nothing new to literature: an out-of-wedlock baby, an aging mother, small town gossips. While the book takes a humorous approa...more

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Jun 14, 2011 Lauren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Georgia Bottoms is known in her small community of Six Points, Alabama, as a beautiful, well-to-do, and devoutly Baptist Southern belle.

Nobody realizes that the family fortune has long since disappeared, and a determinedly single woman like Georgia needs an alternative, and discreet, means of income. In Georgia's case it is six well-heeled lovers-one for each day of the week, with Mondays off-none of whom knows about the others.

But when the married preacher who has been coming to call (Saturdays...more

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Jun 23, 2011 LORI CASWELL rated it 5 of 5 stars

Georgia Bottoms is beautiful, full of southern charm and goes to church every Sunday. She also cares for her elderly mother and sells hand made quilts all around Six Points, Alabama.

But she is also a woman with a secret life. She entertains some of the town's finest male citizens at night. Six different men and each has his particular night of the week and the night is customized to his particular tastes. They have all been trained to leave her a "gift" to help Georgia take care of herself and h...more Georgia Bottoms is beautiful, full of southern charm and goes to church every Sunday. She also cares for her elderly mother and sells hand made quilts all around Six Points, Alabama.

But she is also a woman with a secret life. She entertains some of the town's finest male citizens at night. Six different men and each has his particular night of the week and the night is customized to his particular tastes. They have all been trained to leave her a "gift" to help Georgia take care of herself and her mother. Plus each gentleman caller thinks he's the only lover enjoying Georgia's company.

Things start to fall apart when Georgia's minister, Mr. Saturday Night, decides to confess his sins to his wife and the entire congregation one Sunday morning. She manages to cause a diversion to stop this confession, but knows if she doesn't do something quickly her entire private life will become public knowledge. She has to protect her mother and herself. Six Points, Alabama will never be the same.

Yes, I loved this story so much. I think it will definitely become a sort of Southern Classic. It is funny and heartbreaking. The entire town seems totally dysfunctional and perfect together at the time.

It amazed me that Georgia was able to keep up this ruse as long as she did, but Mark Childress is such a great writer I bought the whole thing, hook, line and sinker. Maybe it's the Alabama heat that drives what would almost be called insanity of this town, but I loved it, each and every word. I may be a little biased here because I live far from the south but have learned that pastors can be some of the most hypocritical persons on the earth, so I had no trouble buying into this pastor's story or the replacement.

Childress has created a strong be it offbeat heroine. I had read several reviews before I read this book and some people actually hated it and hated Georgia. After reading it myself I decided those who panned this book must not have had much of a sense of humor, this book is comedic look at not only southern life but life anywhere. Every word may not be politically correct but with some minor changes like a long cold winter instead of a long hot summer this could easily have taken place in North Dakota as Alabama. Do any of really know what is happening behind the closed doors of our neighbors?

This is a great book to "escape" with and it will definitely tickle your funny bone. It is my first book my Mark Childress but it most definitely is not my last!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: This book was my personal collection. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”(less)

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Jan 22, 2013 Laura Ashlee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, adult, book-club, books-i-own, kobo, purchased

Why this book?

Another month, another book club read. Robyn decided on something light to follow up The Paris Wife. I’ve been looking forward to this one because it’s set in Alabama, and I always find that interesting. While I think we all enjoyed it, I don’t think we all liked Georgia so much. It was mostly positive feedback

Georgia: Hypocrite or Everyday Southerner

Georgia is the picture of perfection. She’s in church every Sunday. She takes care of her deteriorating mother. She hosts the best lu...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Phyllis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Georgia Bottoms has problems - lots of them. She comes from a Southern family in a small town; a family that has long ago lost their money but has 'standing' to uphold in the community. She has a brother who is constantly getting into trouble and won't work. She has a mother who has dementia. She has a son no one knows about. To juggle all this, Georgia has found a solution that has worked; she has a different 'leader' of the town who visits one night a week and, in return, leaves Georgia a gift...more

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Mar 27, 2011 Maureen Timerman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read

I read this book even though some of the things that went on and the language offended me. This was not my type of book, but I agreed to read it. It does have some very funny moments, and brings in some of our not fun days on US soil. The morals of this Southern girl leave a lot to be desired, but although we blame the girl...there are men involved.
From the ratings I've observed, there are a lot of people who really enjoy this book! Glad we have choices and we are able to choose books that we wa...more

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Mar 30, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Smart, Spunky Heroine Comes Out on Top 03/30/2011
Posted by Laura Reese in southern fiction.
Tags: Alabama, debutante, Fiction, humor, Mark Childress, southern
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Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress
Georgia Bottoms is a delicious, frothy read. Mark Childress shows brilliance in developing Georgia’s long-suffering debutante character, her no-account brother, and a mother with dementia. Childress, born in Monroeville, Alabama, depicts the fictional southern town of Six Points with wi...more

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