Due South: Dispatches from Down Home

by R. Scott Brunner

Now in paperback — the enormously popular essays Fannie Flagg called “as charming and welcome as an early spring down home.”

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Ken Heard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been on a southern writer kick lately, first reading Hal Crowther's "Cathedrals of Kudzu" before and now Scott Brunner's "Due South." Although Brunner's essays are short, I think they get the feel of south much more than Crowther's stuff.

There are funny bits on how to speak Southern and the correct pronunciation of towns in Mississippi and Alabama. There's a piece on the horrors of changing diapers and the phrase "Bless your heart." There are also poignant pieces about his father recovering from heart surgery and a nice story on a creative teacher he had in college.

This book comes in only at about 155 pages and can be read in a day. It offers a nice feel for the everyman of the south. While Crowther's stuff may have been deeper - reflections on racism and George Wallace and grumpy ol' southern writers - this one gives the reader more of a feel of what it is to be in the south. Case in point, he refers to the drink "Sweet tea" as "Sweetea." One word. Also, there's instructions on how to pronounce Corinth, Miss. I live in Arkansas and had grown up in Minnesota. I'm a dreaded Yankee transplant who has had a bit of issues trying to fit in. This book will help.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are from or live in the South, this is a delightful book. So many things were familiar to me even though the author was in a different part of the south than I am. Even if you are not "related" to the South, there are several anecdotes that are relatable to all walks of life.

[Faith Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this over 20 years ago. Everything the author says about the south is just as true. It brought back some great childhood memories.

[Tebel Shaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a transplanted Yankee living in the South, I've had my fill of Southern Hostility, subtly written to convey humble superiority.

[Robby Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short essays, only about half of which I found interesting. The most special stories were about various teachers who changed his life or about memories of childhood. An essay about how his wife is better at changing diapers is ho-hum.

[Gen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short essays about the Deep South. I found it easy to pick up and read a few at a time. Some of the stories were a bit too too personal but still funny, just not strictly southern. We change diapers everywhere. But I would recommend reading it just for the fun of it.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up in a gift shop in Atlanta, GA. Nice collection of childhood and family stories. Good vacation read!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm very much enjoying reading someone's stories from the south-though it's making me miss home terribly!!

[Melody · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book of Southern-flavored essays was cute but too slight to draw this Yankee in.

[Lea Wheater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet collection of southern stories. Great read, especially for those misplaced southerners who long for home.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

didn't finish it

[Mark Lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of these essays were too short. I felt like the author only touched the surface of what being Southern is all about.