The Last of the Southern Girls: A Novel

by Willie Morris

Carol Hollywell is beautiful, smart, elegant, and charming. A debutante from De Soto Point, Arkansas, and a recent graduate of Ole Miss, she is heir to a good southern name and a small southern fortune. She knows what she wants and, more important, knows how to get it. She is, in other words, the prototypical southern belle, a Scarlett O’Hara for the 1950s, and when she moves to Washington, D.C., in 1957, she sets the town on its ear.

Willie Morris’ cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed novel (loosely based on a real-life figure) follows this headstrong woman from her arrival at the Capital and traces the ups and downs of her life in the political and social whirl of the city over the next decade and a half. Eventually, she becomes romantically involved with a prominent congressman―an idealist, a reformer, a man perhaps headed for the very pinnacle of political life. It is at first a dazzling alliance, yet the genuine satisfactions they find in their relationship cannot long withstand the pressures of the ambitions both of them harbor. The very drives that initially brought them together in the end propel their love affair into jeopardy.

Morris paints a devastatingly accurate portrait not only of a power-hungry woman but also of the society that feeds such hunger. His descriptions of Washington and its denizens―the politicos, the journalists, the socialites, and the hangers-on―are nothing short of breathtaking.

Genres: Fiction, Southern

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

William Weaks "Willie" Morris (November 29, 1934 — August 2, 1999), was an American writer and editor born in Jackson, Mississippi, though his family later moved to Yazoo City, Mississippi, which he immortalized in his works of prose. Morris' trademark was his lyrical prose style and reflections on the American South, particularly the Mississippi Delta. In 1967 he became the youngest editor of Harper's Magazine. He wrote several works of fiction and non-fiction, including his seminal book North Toward Home, as well as My Dog Skip.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I worked in Washington DC at approximately the same time and remember so many of the long gone restaurants and bars that Morris mentioned. Georgetown back then was so special and wonderful. Morris captures the essence of the time perfectly.

[Hailey Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing an honest review of this feels risky given the book revolving around the world of politicians, so I shall choose my words (somewhat) carefully. With that being said, this was originally published in 1973 and is firmly living in the language of that time. Roughly 60 years have passed since fictional Carol Templeton resided in Georgetown; it doesn’t seem like the undercurrents of the D.C area have changed much. There are different forms of industry, but the currents are the same. The author describes the city’s beauty and filth in a way that feels just. The description of the American south feels accurate and incomplete. The characterization of Carol includes the typical “southern woman” clichés which are mostly true, but we do go on a journey of self-realization. The writing is thoughtful. This feels familiar in a positive way to me. The mirror has been held up; what do we do with what we see?

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be so much more! The most entertaining part of the book comes from the southern advice, but even that was rare. My 100% pure, southern mother can dish more on southern life and advice in five minutes than the sum total of this book. It was a stale story.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure of his purpose in writing the book other than to expose the pitfalls of political life. I did not enjoy this as much as I have his other work. In some respects the book remains highly relevant and is encouraging in that politics 40 years ago was as jaded as it is today.

[Jay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking forward to a juicy, fast-paced soap opera. Instead, I got heavy, dry writing. It's a moment in time, so go easy on what you think is sexist or misogynistic or anti-feminist. It's a book about a woman in a time when it was opening acceptable to use the resources she had. Period. Dot. I

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this book was little to wordy and pretentious. The core story was interesting about a woman and her life in DC in the 60's and 70's and her relationships with various men. I thought it was a bit sexist as well.

[Sean Kinch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An homage to Washington D.C. and a study of a beautifully willful woman, Carol Templeton Hollywell: “she would rather be alone for the rest of her life than take the smallest chance of begrudging her reluctant soul.”

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wordy, dated and not my kind of book.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

For what it was, it was really good. Politics, DC are still recognizable. For anyone in dc or who has worked on hill, esp. if they're from/lived in soth too, this would be a fun, enjoyable read

[Jacob Heil]

LC Call No.: PZ4.M8795.

[Tom Gilliam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this years ago and my lasting impression is Morris, like his contemporary Hunter S. Thompson, was much better at non-fiction.