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Grit Lit: A Rough South Reader
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Drawing on storytelling traditions as old as southern literature itself, Grit Lit is the first anthology devoted to contemporary writing about the Rough South. From literary legends to emerging voices, the acclaimed writers featured in this collection view their hardscrabble South without romanticism or false nostalgia, not through moonlight and magnolia but moonshine and
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Hardcover, 358 pages
Published
September 5th 2012
by University of South Carolina Press
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Start your review of Grit Lit: A Rough South Reader
Nov 06, 2012
Lawyer
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Lovers of contemporary Southern Lit.
Recommended to Lawyer by:
Two Sisters Bookery, Wilmington,NC
Grit Lit: A Rough South Reader, Tom Franklin's and Brian Carpenter's Slide into the Dark Side of Southern Life
Published by The University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, South Carolina, 2012
If you've wondered what Grit Lit is, Tom Franklinand Brian Carpenterhave provided the answer with an outstanding anthology of short stories and excerpts from memoirs from some of the best known voices in contemporary Southern literature. The subtitle hints that the material contained between the cover of ...more
Published by The University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, South Carolina, 2012
If you've wondered what Grit Lit is, Tom Franklinand Brian Carpenterhave provided the answer with an outstanding anthology of short stories and excerpts from memoirs from some of the best known voices in contemporary Southern literature. The subtitle hints that the material contained between the cover of ...more
Eye opening collection of undervalued writers w/jaw dropping stories. If you don't find at least two or three new authors you're interested in, you need to stop living so closed minded. An excellent form of finding what could be your next 5 star story!
I devoured this book in a few short days...the only thing missing was a little Cormac but he doesn't allow small excerpts of his stuff to be published so I can't fault the editors for that. If you have only explored the "hoop skirt" side of southern lit you are missing out!
This book was like a delightful dementor - I read most of it certain I'd never feel cheerful again. Drugs and dead dogs and cockfights and guns and Mad Dog and Jim Beam. Incest and false gods and murder and unending violence. Glorious.
My favorites, though, were the George Singleton and Dale Ray Phillips stories, which were absurd and wry and brilliant and actually fun to read. I guess I wish this collection had a more even balance of wit with the grit.
My favorites, though, were the George Singleton and Dale Ray Phillips stories, which were absurd and wry and brilliant and actually fun to read. I guess I wish this collection had a more even balance of wit with the grit.
Guns, dogs, deeply dysfunctional families, trucks, men, drinking, violence. The stories individually were exceptional; all together they became overwhelming.
excellent collection
This compilation of short stories and excerpts features two standouts, in my opinion: “Sorry Blood” by Tim Gautreaux and “Speckled Trout” by Ron Rash. I found “Sorry Blood” to be extraordinary given its appalling yet entertaining account of elder abuse. And “Speckled Trout” has a lasting impact because its ending is open to at least three different interpretations, all of which call into question your faith in humanity.
My recommendation is to read these two stories first, which requires skipping ...more
My recommendation is to read these two stories first, which requires skipping ...more
The collected stories are mostly great and a very good intro to the genre. The main editor is too in love with himself and the genre to know what's good for him. His intro is embarrassing to read so skip it and enjoy the stories.
Southern grittiness, less than savory characters and dull, listless psyches. Some excellent pieces, some that were a tad to heavy; but all fine in there own right.
A good reference to find "new to you" authors but I found the introduction very problematic. I've read it three times over the past several years and it still bothers me.
Forget about sweet tea on the veranda--these folks are drinking bootleg liquor in their decaying trailers and pickups. Grit Lit collects short stories and excerpts from memoirs and novels by authors from the "Rough South" genre. I kept telling myself to stop reading these violent and sometimes depressing stories but the quality of writing was so outstanding that I kept reading "just one more". There is some humor to be found here but the collection is dominated by disturbing tales of
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This is an excellent collection of stories and excerpts about the gritty South of those just scrapping by and sometimes not even that. Many stories I would rate at 5 stars although I gave this 4 stars because not all warranted the highest rating. First, the bad--the dry, scholarly introduction which was a total slog to get through. Some day I'll learn to read these last and just jump in and enjoy the stories. Once I started the stories, this book was great. The best of these for me: 1) Being
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This is an amazing compilation. Brian Carpenter's introductory essay was definitive and insightful, and the selections introduced me to several new authors even though I was already a huge grit lit fan.
Who knew I've always been a grit lit fan? I guess it started with John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath in English 101 back in 1979! Readers will love the variety of stories in this volume, which includes one of my favorite writers, Ron Rash!
Excellent book, there was not a story that I did not like. In my opinion the two pieces from Harry Crews, the selections from Dorothy Allison, and the story "Where Will You Go When Your Skin Cannot Contain You," were the highlights.
Great book.
A fine example of the best Southern writing from a number of writers I'd never heard of. They get to the nitty-gritty of life in the south without the mint juleps. Highly recommended.
Excellent survey of "rural noir" or Grit Lit as it's known. Selections are carefully selected, with an introduction and quote from the author. Includes a recommended reading list if you want more.
Mostly violent, often gruesome, sometimes funny. Several standout stories, would recommend, would re-read my favorites.
Bleak and and gritty stories, but that's how it should be. It's not all sweet tea and soft twang down here.
A strong collection of stories about the fascinating white trash South.
Good stuff
Here's the full review I wrote for PopMatters.
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/1...
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/1...
A fantastic primer for anyone interested in delving into Rough South literature. Highly recommended for the number of authors covered, as well as the insight added in the preface/introduction.
A very good primer to contemporary Southern literature.
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