Georgia Bottoms

by Mark Childress

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) decides to confess their affair in front of the whole congregation, Georgia must take drastic measures to stop him. In George Bottoms, Mark Childress proves once again his unmistakable skill for combining the hilarious and the absurd to reveal the inner workings of the rebellious human heart.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Southern, Book Club, Humor, Adult Fiction, Adult

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2011

About the author

Mark Childress was born in Monroeville, Alabama. He is the author of the novels A WORLD MADE OF FIRE, V FOR VICTOR, TENDER, CRAZY IN ALABAMA, GONE FOR GOOD, ONE MISSISSIPPI, and GEORGIA BOTTOMS. Childress has received the Harper Lee Award for Alabama's Distinguished Author, Thomas Wolfe Award, the University of Alabama's Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Alabama Library Association's Writer of the Year. He is a staff member and a director of the Community of Writers at Squaw Valley. He has lived in Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, California, Costa Rica, and currently lives in Key West, Florida, where he is writing his eighth novel and a film script.

Reviews

[David Putnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and have recommended it to friends who also loved it. Part of the reason is that the structure is classic and easy to understand for novice authors.
The story opens in a church, the preacher is about to divulge a secret (spoiler so I won't reveal it here) to the congregation. The secret involves Georgia Bottoms. She can't allow it so she faints. The book takes off from there. The prose is light and humorous, with a wonderful story line.
I listened to Mark Childress talk at the Squaw Valley Writers Conference, went right over to the in-house bookstore (all the while still listening to him speaking) and bought Georgia Bottoms. I started reading it that night and finished it in two sittings. This is also one of those books when I see it in thrift shops or Friends of the Library bookstores I pick them up and hand them to friends.
I recommend this book.
David Putnam the author of The Bruno Johnson Series.

[Jan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know that there are enough words in the English language to describe how much I hate this book. It wasn't until I got to the very last page that I realized just how funny this author seems to find himself, when an implausible series of events sends the heroine driving into New Orleans to start a new life with her senile mother, half-black son, and fugitive brother with no idea that Hurricane Katrina is about to decimate the city.

Ohhhhh, that's just sooooo hilarious! Except that it's not, not even a little bit.

The whole book is like this: implausible, not even a little bit funny, and annoying. Of course, I was supposed to root for Georgia because she's the heroine, but instead I found her to be whiny, pathetic, vapid, and in possession of a truly huge martyr complex. I was kind of rooting for her to actually get taken down a peg or two. Alas, she never seemed to realize just how un-awesome she was.

No, I didn't give you a spoiler warning on this review. You know why? BECAUSE YOU SHOULDN'T READ THIS BOOK. Just don't do it. If you read some other reviews and they make you think "Maybe it's not as bad as Jan made it out to be," don't be fooled! Resist. This book is a waste of your time.

[Lois Baron · Rating 1 out of 5]

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 sleeping with (one slated for six days of the week), that she has a son from a black man. Then Georgia drives her senile mother, her 20-year-old son, her ne're-do-well brother (who is called Brother by one and all throughout the book and clearly has a mental illness, probably personality disorder) all drive off to New Orleans!

We also learn in that last chapter that her best friend is a lesbian who loves Georgia but Georgia has never been interested. Boy, that's a whopper to mention right before the friend drives off!

Georgia learns nothing. No one in the book learns anything or is changed (except, I guess her friend, who gives up on Georgia ever falling in love with her).

And one burning question: Did the first preacher's wife really concoct with her (married!) brother a plan for him to sleep with Georgia as a way to blackmail and humiliate Georgia (who was sleeping with the first preacher's wife at the beginning of the book?

Egad, what a waste of ink, paper, recording time & resources--and my time! I kept listening only because it was in my car and it was like a train wreck--it's horrible, but I couldn't help wondering how the writer was going to try to end the thing.

[Lawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

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"

[Lucinda Mcintyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 layers upon layers of secrets that make up every small town and uses them to perfect ends. Georgia’s well ordered life depends on keeping lots of secrets and making sure that everything goes as planned. When things start to unravel – hilarity ensues. Many laugh out loud episodes – from Little Mama getting hauled into the local jail to a scene which revolves around what happens when the effects of a certain little blue pill do not wear off in 4 hours. This is the book we have been waiting for since Crazy in Alabama.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 for!" were my words to my husband. But as I tried to explain what happened to Georgia and the heart-stopping place the author leaves her on the final page, I understood that this book was more than I expected. I thought it would be a light, fluffy read, but the author was incredibly adept at showing, not telling. He never underestimated the intelligence of the reader and by refraining from spelling everything out completely, he made the experience of reading the book more challenging and thus, more rewarding.

[Kathleen Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Childress is one of my literary heroes. I've read most of his novels and loved them all. But if you're a book lover like me, you've probably bought your share of books with the intention of reading them as soon as possible. But then months go by, then years...

I purchased Georgia Bottoms shortly after it released in 2011, but for some reason never got around to reading it until now. Took a nudge from my sister, Jo, who checked it out from her local public library. I pulled it off my shelf and so glad I did.

It's a good story about how one woman uncovers the hypocrisy of one small southern town. Beneath the author's trademark humor is a serious tale of secrets, small-town gossip, and deep-seated racism.

By the end of the story, Georgia definitely won me over. She's a multifaceted character. You'll find yourself wondering what secrets others keep behind the facade of manicured lives.

[Kirk Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this hoping for a little humor and was not disappointed. It seemed the first half was establishing the details of Georgia's "system", and from there things moved at a rapid pace. Not quite as shallow as I might expect, there were several moving scenes where Georgia re-establishes a relationship with her son, the one she gave up at birth. I can picture Reese Witherspoon, or perhaps a very young Doris Day as the very charming Georgia. I am not sure everyone would find her as endearing as I did (male perspective),but her strong work ethic and devotion to family is admirable. I would rate it a three overall, but because it gave me several great belly laughs I'm bumping it to a four.

[Autumn · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Melodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgia Bottoms is an aging Southern belle. The wrong side of thirty, keeping up appearances while taking care of her Mama and brother, Georgia has her hands full. Mama is walking in the increasingly dense fog of senility and "Brother" is forever flirting with the law and mental illness.
Keeping up appearances in her little hometown is expensive and time consuming,but Georgia thinks she has the situation well in hand. She has her secret lovers(yes,plural) who are generous,and a quilting business that is(more or less)legit.
Georgia Bottoms is wickedly funny and there are are times when the author walks a very fine line with his humor. No topic is off limits and he deals with everything from racism to 9/11.Anyone from a small town will recognize someone they have known.
Georgia Bottoms is a very unlikely heroine, but you will root for her just like I did.

[Judi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like any characters in this book and couldn't bring myself to finish.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.”

[Christa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel kind of conflicted about this one--with its intriguing characters, interesting plot, and snappy yet thoughtful writing, I think I should have enjoyed this more than I actually did.

The book is basically about a woman who's obsessed with keeping up appearances in a tiny, behind-the-times Southern town. Georgia is determined to portray a genteel, classy image--a pinnacle of Southern womanhood--while she hides the fact that she supports that appearance through thinly-veiled prostitution. (She has a man for nearly every day of the week, and she'd never be as crass as to name a price, but the men know to leave an envelope of cash afterwards as a "gift") Soon, though, the ability to keep that secret under wraps is challenged, at the same time as an even bigger secret from her past comes back to haunt her.

Georgia is not a particularly nice person (it seems like she spends most of her time creating one self-serving lie or another), so it's hard to really find yourself rooting for her. However, though she's a liar in life, she's quite frank with her faults as she narrates the story--it's a bit more endearing, I guess, to hear her admit that she knows her flaws. Though I didn't really like Georgia, I found myself at least respecting her at the end, which I think shows Childress' strengths in creating a fully-dimensional character.

I feel like some chunks of this book weren't developed enough, and some things were mentioned that were never followed up upon. I wanted to know more about a lot of things, and I felt like the ending of the book flew by way too quickly, with a lack of explanation or development of the secondary characters. The last 40 or so pages, I think, knocked off a couple stars for me. It really could have been a great book if it devoted more pages to that part of the story.

[Linda Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a slew of mediocre novels lately. When that happens I am usually very annoyed for devoting so much time to something I didn't enjoy. I decided it was time for something out of the ordinary, something light, funny, likeable. I'd been eyeing Georgia Bottoms at the bookstore for awhile. The cover is so cute and besides I have a very dear friend named Georgia. And much to my surprise, when I went to the clubhouse library in the community where I live, to donate all my uninteresting books that I didn't want taking up space on my shelves, I found a copy of Georgia Bottoms. I snapped it up, because what's not to like about a free book?

I fell in love with Georgia Bottoms from page one. She's a southern gal, from Six Points, Alabama, who loves to cook, and I don't mean just dinner. Long before she was born, her grandmother changed the family name from Butts to Bottoms. That says just about all that needs to said about Georgia and her family. Brother enjoys going out for a drink after his court ordered AA meeting each week. Little Mama, her mother, is showing signs of dementia. And Georgia never misses a Sunday in church even though she's not a believer. In a small town like Six Points, it's crucial to keep her image squeaky clean.

Georgia Bottoms is delightful. The characters are so expertly created, I wanted to visit Six Points to meet them. Georgia is sassy and witty with a big dose of Southern charm. I couldn't help but like her. The author has a magic touch when it comes to humor. The lines that made me laugh the hardest were slipped in when I least expected it. The story moved along seamlessly and Georgia Bottoms was exactly what I need to restore my faith. Bottoms up for Georgia Bottoms!

[Alan Wells · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 dialogue (I grew up in Alabama and can attest to this). It foists on the reader, front-and-center, the uncanny fear and anxiety that many southerners labor under due to their seemingly genetically programmed, church-centered mentalities. But the story's iterations of what I felt was caricatured and exaggerated humor are tiresome and unfortunately dominate the book.

I felt like there could have been some interesting insights into a more compelling Georgia character – the challenges and perspectives of a single lady in her thirties willing to brave her life in a small town. I got a glimpse of her in the books final pages but it just feels like an opportunity lost now.

[Lagniappe · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I'm perusing the book section at Dollar Tree, my eyes fall on this one, and, I can't lie to y'all - it had me at the shoes. But after reading it we once again remember why we shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Because, cute shoes aside, it was horrid. Even if you could get past every negative southern stereotype pouring from each page, get past a demented racist relative used as humor, get past the odd passage of time (like 2 years in 2 sentences), you would still be left with a disjointed plot full of totally unlikeable characters. Our "heroine", Miss Georgia, is a small town whore whose total existence revolves around outward appearances, who abandoned her child twenty years ago (and hasn't looked back since), and whose initial reaction to the events of 9/11 is that it is going to spoil her fall luncheon. And this is someone I'm supposed to find quirky and endearing? Do not - repeat - do not waste your time reading this book. Run!!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I thought this novel about the sexy, funny, hardworking Georgia would be great; a little humor, some steamy sexcapades, a little drama and I'm satisfied. I can even take a plot twist ( or two ), a teaser and an unhappy ending. However, this novel lost me somewhere in the middle when we decided to jump through approximately four years in something ridiculous ike seven ( or so ) paragraphs.
I also felt like the author was trying too hard to illustrate modern day racism. WE GET IT, Lil mama didn't like Negroes.
ugh, a waste of time.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gives me great joy to introduce you to Georgia Brown if have not met her yet. The title character of the novel is something of a male fantasy. The book deals with some serious themes, like moral hypocrisy and racism, in a easy to read, light-hearted manner. Although the story takes place in a small town in Alabama, its relevance is socially universal, certainly not restricted to the South.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but a little silly.

[Thomas Holbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

You are going to need a good sense of humor for parts of this book.
Mark Chidress touched all the southern bases in a somewhat fun way
small southern town, eccentric people, sex, alcohol, the baptist church, racism, southern cooking and he threw in 9/11 for good measure.
I was not sure if I was going to enjoy that part of the story as I read it, but he did pull it off. By the time the 9/11 comes into play you already realize that Georgia is somewhat immature and selfish she also is not a dumb woman. Georgia grew up in Six Points what the people of the town think they know about her is that she can cook, and she makes and sells quilts.
Everyone knows not to disturb her in the evenings that is the time she likes to quilt (lol)
She seems to be well liked by most
people, and everyone wants to be invited to her September luncheon. What they don’t know about her is she has a twenty year old secret, and she has another way of bringing money into the house to help support her mother and brother, she spends one night per week with six powerful men in Six Points, Monday is her day off. and each of the men think they are the only one she sees.

She makes a comment about keeping her plates spinning at all times. As we all know spinning plates have to come crashing down at some point. for everyone, even Georgia .
I also had to admit to myself that as wrong as it is if what happened to Georgia on 9/11 happened to me I would be mad also living in a small town myself, I also know that what everyone appears to be in church and on the streets of our town is not what some of them truly are. It’s all about keeping up appearances for the most part. with that being said if we all live a long life I am sure that at some point we all will act the part of a hypocrite.
pay attention to the end of the book and what Georgia is heading into. Very good touch on the authors part.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A seven-drawer locked dresser....one for each day of the week. What is in each drawer?....well, all the things Georgia needs to make her nightly lovers believe they are the only one....pictures of their mother, their favorite clothes, anything to make them feel "special." When one of the lovers' wives finds out about the affair, nothing to do but empty that drawer....oh well......done.

Georgia had enough of this worry for now...she had her September luncheon to think of. She couldn't disappoint the ladies...they looked forward to this luncheon each year, and she certainly couldn't let them know how poor she really was.

She hadn't always been poor, and she hadn’t always been the pillar of society either….but then a letter arrived from someone who was keeping a secret for 20 years and who she told there was NO contact allowed whether it was in writing or through a phone call….this definitely wouldn’t work for her. Things were not turning out the way Georgia had planned. Everything ALWAYS went her way...she couldn't have this happen. She will just send more money this time....yes…send more money and it would be taken care of, but then she found another letter as she was cleaning and that changed everything even more. What will she do now? She knew…she always had a plan….and what a great plan. You will love the book....it was funny and had everyday situations that at times we all have to deal with.

This book had me laughing from the first page....I knew she was another Scarlet O'Hara even before the author commented about it. I really enjoyed the book, and will definitely be reading his other books. 5/5

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 works, more often the characters were sad and unfulfilled, and it was hard for me to care what happened to them. The story does not really develop, but rather meanders, until a lot of loose ends are tied up in the ending in a way I did not find satisfying.

In addition, I am no prude, but this story is raunchier than one usually finds in Southern lit, and in this case it put me off a bit. Many of the tackier plot twists have no relation to the story, really, and seem just a way of an author trying to get attention when the story itself is not able to achieve this. The novel is perhaps trying to appeal in too many ways, and ends up falling short across the board.

[K.E. Garvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. Actually, there was nothing wrong with the actual ending, what was wrong was how quickly it happened. Without giving any spoilers, you would think that a person would give sufficient thought to life-altering decisions. But, not in this book. Major life changes happen in the course of an overnight. Granted, urgency may cause people to move quickly, but there was no need in this case. I just felt as though he delivered an enjoyable ride, but slid into the parking spot with a simple squeal of the brakes.

Would this keep me from reading this author? No. As I said, I love his style. I just would have liked a better finish.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 of them. The situations she got into were incredibly funny.

Ultimately I didn't give the book five stars because I just couldn't like Georgia enough. I have a need to find heroes and heroines sympathetic by the end of the story. It's why I often have a problem with Elmore Leonard and sometimes with Carl Hiaasen.

However, as a fiction collection librarian, I'm very glad I bought this book for our libraries and look forward to reading more novels by Mark Childress. He's got a terrific voice and a wicked sense of humor.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. I remember laughing hard when reading Crazy in Alabama years ago, plus have good friends in Alabama so understand the dynamics of small town Southern life. This novel just never reached the level of writing or humor that I expected. There was character development and I felt like I "knew" these characters, but they seemed very broad caricatures rather than deep rooted or multi-dimensional. The main character Georgia is flawed, selfish and not very likable, but I reckon by the end you are pulling for her to overcome the predicament she got herself into throughout the story. This almost seemed like a few short stories that the author decided to pull together with one character, or else he just had specific situations he wanted to showcase. Either way, it was a quick read and luckily I checked this out from library rather than shelling out money to buy the ebook. I would still like to read this author's other novel One Mississippi.

[Tammy Schoen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!! Georgia Bottoms loves the fact that a great grandmother changed their last name from ‘Butts’ to Bottoms... because it’s so much more refined. She’s a southern lady, living in a TINY town that still doesn’t have cell phones because all the towers are too far away.

Georgia is stuck with a brother who’s in and out of jail and a mom who was probably crazy before her dementia set in.

And those are the least of her problems. Georgia does what she must to get by... and figures out how to maintain her dignity through it all. She has the courage to choose the life she wants.

I liked Georgia. She’s far from perfect, but acknowledges her own shortcomings freely. In the end... she remains true to herself and her family, damn the consequences. She and Scarlet O’ Hara would be friends.

Read the book for all the ‘twists and turns’ Georgia endures... it’s a page turner. Mark Childress wrote Crazy in Alabama... I’d love to see this book turned into a movie too.

[Nichole Suckow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had two big problems with this book. The first was there was no plot that kept me hooked. It was strings of ideas and a timeline that didn’t flow. My second problem was the overdone stereotypes. I read the first few pages in the store and laughed at how relatable it was being from the south. After those first pages it was just too much. The book was filled with old southern and Cajun stereotypes that I forgot it was set in modern times. Overall, it was just disappointing and fell flat. The author has talent and I’ll probably read another book by him, maybe this just wasn’t my story, but I won’t be reading this one again.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book I've read by Childress and now I think I'll try some of his earlier books. This one was quick to read, funny but after the first few chapters the feeling started to settle in that there would be more to this story than sterotypes, funny lines and outrageous situations. Georgia Bottoms isn't likeable or admirable -- she's shallow, a sterotype and sometimes Childress's story left me shaking my head but the last 2 pages made it memorable (very good ending for the story).

[Vickie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has got to be one of the most offensive southern literature novels I have ever read. The stereotypical characters were just pathetic; I kept wanting to say, "Bless her heart!" every time Georgia opened her mouth! I also didn't like the tool of using racism as humor. Just not cool in my book.

Go Cards! L1C4!!