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178th out of 335 books
—
445 voters
Louisiana Power and Light
Billy Wayne is the sole survivor of his oddball line of marginal folk. When he acquires a priestly vocation it seems likely he will be the last Fontana, until hearing a young woman’s confession propels him into an impulsive marriage.
Paperback
Published
November 1st 1995
by Plume
(first published July 1st 1994)
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Wonderfully crafted piece of absurd human drama that isn't as far from reality as one at first might believe. All of the characters are flawed, broken, human, and perfect. You end this work feeling somewhat at a loss, but also as though you have peeked through the curtains on a chunk of small town life, a very intimate chunk.
What I learned from this book is what I learn from all good Southern literature - the characters might seem too crazy, the decisions too bizarre, the lessons too hard unless you've lived in the South for very long - and then it not only seems possible that these fictional characters could exist, but that the circumstances of their undoing and redemption are always, somehow, an untold story you have waited for someone to reveal.
I really enjoyed this book in places. I think the quality of the writing proved a little spotty in places but it held my attention and was funny and tragic by turns. Overall I am glad to have read it!
This is one of the absolute best books I have ever read. It is highly recommended to everyone.
I'm not even sure I can explain why it captivated me so--but it did.
I had to read this for a class in Southern American Literature, which included none of the old standbys like Faulkner, etc., but did have some very unique pieces. This was the book that factored into more of my papers and short essays on the final than any of the rest. I read it four times during that semester and have reread it twice s...more
I'm not even sure I can explain why it captivated me so--but it did.
I had to read this for a class in Southern American Literature, which included none of the old standbys like Faulkner, etc., but did have some very unique pieces. This was the book that factored into more of my papers and short essays on the final than any of the rest. I read it four times during that semester and have reread it twice s...more
Story of the Fontana family, who had "bad water in their gene pool". Billy Wayne Fontana's life in Monroe, LA.
September 8, 1994: Alex Chadwick talked with the author: "Louisiana Power and Light" by John Dufresne, published by Norton: A novel about a fictional family in Monroe, Louisiana.
I recall hearing about this book on NPR "All Things Considered" or similar, so it must have been 1994. I probably bought it soon after that, maybe a few years on my book list. I finally started reading it in April 2011, so that's almost 17 years that it could have sat around on my bookshelf, even in my nightstand, waitin...more
I recall hearing about this book on NPR "All Things Considered" or similar, so it must have been 1994. I probably bought it soon after that, maybe a few years on my book list. I finally started reading it in April 2011, so that's almost 17 years that it could have sat around on my bookshelf, even in my nightstand, waitin...more
Author John Dufresne has written a character study here in this novel. As in, the protagonist is quite the character!! As in, there's not much plot, but a whole lot happening with Billy Wayne Fontana, the protagonist. If you love Louisiana, you'll love the language here as Dufresne invites you out to the front porch with your favorite beverage (sweet tea or something stronger) and spins his yarn.
This is the kind of Southern writing I do not appreciate. "Billups and Too Tall went down to the field where the broken down train station used to be and looked for crawfish for supper," or something like that. If that's what you want to read, read Flannery O'Conner, Carson McCullers, Shirley Jackson. Sixty years ago.
Loving the quick wit and the off the wall (true to life, as I've seen it) characters.
The Fontanas are a different type of people. Had to read the book to the end.
The Fontanas are a different type of people. I had to finish the book.
Fabulous language, wonderful pace. Lost me towards the end.
Although I tore through this book, and adored the writing style, it was so tragic that sometimes I felt guilty for laughing as hard as I did. I'm really looking forward to reading more by Dufresne.
Very well written. Funny.
Fun reading.
not my favorite
I couldn't finish this book. I'm southern, I love southern literature, but found this to be distracting in it's non-linear form. And I like some non-linear novels, but this was too erratic and over the top for my taste.
I picked this up at the library on a whim, having just returned from Louisiana and it turns out that it is just the kind of book I like, a Southern tour-de-force, full of characters with unique problems. See T.R Pearson's "A Short History of a Small Place" or "Confederacy of Dunces." These kind of novels are always called Faulknarian, but I am not sure why since they are so fun. Anyway, I am loving it so far.
It was my least favorite books I have gotten from LA. It was confusing, too many people, too many strange happenings.
Didn't finish it.
Jul 15, 2008
Pete Sikora
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone
That "refreshing a drink" means refilling it! The other reading is equally entertaining.
LP&L is a cool breeze on a hot day (I think that's something they'd say in Louisiana). The characters and stories are great... borderline hilarious, and definitely great writing. Louisiana seems a lot more fun than the rest of the country - now I want to spend more time there.
LP&L is a cool breeze on a hot day (I think that's something they'd say in Louisiana). The characters and stories are great... borderline hilarious, and definitely great writing. Louisiana seems a lot more fun than the rest of the country - now I want to spend more time there.
A bit difficult to follow--if this had been the first book I read by this guy, I would not have read any more of his work.
full of folksy southern writing. lots of plot twists and the author seems to enjoy killing or mutilating his characters for fun.
Good thing I don't care all that much about the characters.
Good thing I don't care all that much about the characters.
Hey, I'm reading this for the bookclub I started on Facebook. If you want to join in and don't have a facebook account, you can email me and I'll copy and paste responses and stuff.
<3, R
<3, R
My review: http://broadmoorbookreview.wordpress....
This was an entertaining read but I couldn't figure out what was the author's ultimate point. I found the book soulless.
This is a modern gothic novel - dark, dangerous and strange. It revels in the grotesque and hard to love and makes them lovable and hilarious. I loved it.
Bizarly enough this book takes place in a town 30 minutes from where I grew up and it has both an Neva and a Currie character.
It was amusing, but not nearly as good a book as the sequel.
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John Dufresne teaches in the Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing program at Florida International University. He is a French-Canadian born in America.
More about John Dufresne...
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Mar 30, 2012 07:27am