Fans of Southern Literature discussion
Book Recommendation List
Hi folks. I'm new to this group, but Southern Lit is one of my favorite genres. I would recommend Walker Percy, Eudora Welty, Peter Taylor, and Katherine Anne Porter.
Hopefully I won't get tarred and feathered for saying this, but I'm not a big fan of Ms. O'Connor. I've read her work, studied her work, and even written on her work, and it just doesn't do it for me. I can see the appeal, granted, but her work just doesn't speak to me.
I really enjoy Larry Brown and William Gay, as well as many others previously mentioned. I would also recommend The Summer Fletcher Greel Loved Me, a little-known gem that is quite evocative and engaging. Thanks for the other recommendations-- I am adding Poachers to my to-read list right now!
I'd recommend The Architecture of the Arkansas Ozarks and Lightning Bug by Donald Harington. Also, both Geronimo Rex and Airships by Barry Hannah.
A good list of books by mostly Southern authors can be found at the Eudora Welty Symposium group click here. If you live near Columbus, Mississippi, come to the MUW campus, Oct. 16-18, 2008 to hear these authors. The symposium is free and open to the public. If you don't live near us, you might still like these authors' books. Our keynote speaker this year is John Dufresne.
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Thanks for all the ideas!!!
Not a southern writer, but as far as books with southern qualities - Penelope Williamson aka Penn Williamson mostly writes romance novels - which I'm not into - but she wrote two wonderful books that take place in New Orleans...Mortal Sins (2000) (writing as Penn Williamson)
and then the sequel:
Wages of Sin (2003) (writing as Penelope Williamson)
I loved both of these and wish she'd come out with the next one already as the second one ended on a very blatant, 'this will be continued' note.
Larry Brown is terrific. William Gay is okay for when you run out of Cormac McCarthy.
I recommend Martin Clark—all his books but especially "Plain Heathen Mischief"
And Clyde Edgerton "The Bible Salesman"
I would recommend (and do) Florence King's memoir, CONFESSIONS OF A FAILED SOUTHERN LADY. It is a sustained bit of comedy, sharp and sometimes shocking.
One more book I forgot to mention:
"A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
I'm pretty sure we can include that in Southern Literature. New Orleans is pretty South.
Holy cow! Really??
He must have known John Kennedy Toole’s mom. Incredible that she was able to get the manuscript published. And extremely heartbreaking that John never got to see his book and receive the praise. A tortured genius—we’ll never know how many more great books he might have had in him.
Hey Daren, I see you know Clyde Edgerton also.
That's interesting!
Recently I won the Goodreads First Reads raffle and was sent "When You Are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris along with "The Bible Salesman" by Clyde Edgerton.
They came packaged together because "The Bible Salesman" was David's favorite book this summer. I received an uncorrected proof, before it officially hit the stores.
That was my first exposure to Clyde Edgerton. What books of his are your favorites? (I'd like to read some more)
Sedaris was raised in North Carolina (I think?), so we can say he is a Southern writer. Sure, I enjoyed his new book. He's always distinctively funny and fresh, causing me to frequently chuckle and guffaw—which is great for the immune system.
He has superb timing as a speaker, too, ( Lucky you to have seen him read! ) and is a much-loved personality. Some of my favorite essays involve his misadventures while learning French (or Japanese).
That's interesting, Clyde Edgerton was good friends with Larry Brown. Rex, did you hear that?
I can see it in the writing—for example, in the biblical fantasy/references. In "The Bible Salesman", the ventriloquist lady throwing her voice into the cats and dialoguing as characters from the Bible. and in "Dirty Work", Braidon's conversations with Jesus.
Very unique ways of thinking about religion.
I will track down more of Mr. Edgerton's books, thanks for the information.
Yes, I am an art director in an ancillary, supportive area of children's book publishing. I can expand on that in a message to your profile since I don't want to get too far off-topic here. (It's not a Southern book publishing house...although it is in the more Southern section of Manhattan)
I just quickly scrolled through the list. Great books. I would add Daniel Woodrell's Winter's Bone, as well as his Death of Sweet Mister. also Jere Hoar's The Hit. Southern noir, but of a quality that pushes these books beyond genre fiction. Harriet Arnow and Lee Smith? Appalachian, but also Southern IMHO. And where's Harry Crews? I'm sure I can come up with some others, but it's Sunday night, and work tomorrow... Thank you for starting this group.
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By the way, Steve, I love Harry Crews and he is one of my all time favorites. Surprised that he was not mentioned already.
Carson McCullers: "A Heart Is a Lonely Hunter" and "The Ballad of the Sad Cafe"—they will knock your socks off.
I appreciate you opening this forum up to recommendations of books "with southern qualities." I'm currently reading a novel called The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf (from Colorado) who draws most of his inspiration from such authors as Faulkner and McCarthy. While this technically fits into the category of "Prairie Lit," he is an excellent writer with a knack for creating short and sharp sentences. I would recommend starting out with Plainsong.
I've only recently become interested in southern literature when I read As I Lay Dying and The Sound and the Fury. I have also read No Country for Old Men because I saw the movie and really enjoyed it. GO Coen brothers!!!I plan to read more southern literature, all these recommendations are lovely!
I second the Barry Hannah and Charles Portis recommendations, and I would add Portis' "Dog of the South."
Hi, all. I'm so happy to have found this group I could spit! Or something. The last two books I've read have been by William Gay and there is just something about him. It's like, I'm reading along and telling myself I'm not all that into the characters.....next thing I know I'm running late to work because I stayed up until 3 am reading! I love Faulkner, Walker Percy's "The Moviegoer," "A Confederacy of Dunces," and I will have to get back to ya on this...the list could go on for days, just like my book wishlist. I think this group might be enabling me...
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What is also nice, is that although a huge fan of westerns (especially spaghetti), I had never seen True Grit the film. Nothing was ruined, although I am sure that Portis' Maddie Ross would be undeniably better than anyone's movie portrayal.
Now, I am halfway through "Midnight of the Garden of Good and Evil" and am loving that novel too! I am surprised by its low marks on both this site and others. Maybe I am missing something.
Corey, I agree about "Midnight." I totally loved it from the start! I also want to say thanks to whomever first mentioned Larry Brown. I'd never read him until I saw that and now I'm HOOKED!
I would highly recommend Charles McNair's "Land 'O Goshen," which was a Pulitzer finalist a few years back.
Hmm. I don't think Southern must mean Southern gothic, after all the tone of the south is changing and has changed since Flannery O'Connor. On another note, I consider "The Grapes of Wrath" to be a Southern work, because it is primarily about an Oklahoma family and their toils. Also, Tracy Letts has a play called, "August: Osage County" about a dysfunctional family in Oklahoma or Arkansas (not sure which).
I'd also add anything by Alice Walker. "The Color Purple" is required reading, of course, but "The Temple of My Familiar" is brilliant.
It's Oklahoma, Terah! I've heard it's fantastic! His mother, Billie, was my professor in college.
It is interesting to see all the writers and books that people consider to be "southern literature." Unfortunately, many of them are not part of what is classified as "southern literature." A professor in college used to say, "If it wasn't part of the South during the civil war, it's not part of the South; if the book isn't set in one of those states or the writer ain't from one of them it's not "southern lit!"
Cody wrote: "It is interesting to see all the writers and books that people consider to be "southern literature." Unfortunately, many of them are not part of what is classified as "southern literature." A pro..."A lot of people feel that way. Oklahoma isn't considered part of The South, but I think most people around here would be far more likely to consider him or herself Southern than anything else! I think it's a state of mind. Or something.
Terah wrote: "Hmm. I don't think Southern must mean Southern gothic, after all the tone of the south is changing and has changed since Flannery O'Connor. On another note, I consider "The Grapes of Wrath" to be a..."I'm not sure about Grapes of Wrath being included in the SoLit pile. Of course, I grew up where John Steinbeck grew up (Salinas Valley, lots of working poor and farm laborers) and he was actually reviled for his liberal views. Now that I'm living in the Bay Area, I have to say. Steinbeck is distinctly a Northern California writer, and this is an example of his pre-60s liberalism, and the struggles of the working poor. I think he delves into the subject more directly in Travels with Charlie. And, Steinbeck was quite outspoken about his views when he was alive.
But hey, it's one of the best books written about the depression. I absolutely love that story!
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The Rosewood CasketSharyn McCrumbSharyn McCrumb has a wonderful feel for Appalachaia and it's people. I especially liked Rosewood Casket and She Walks These Hills. The latter is a ghost story, fully rooted in traditions of the South.
Cold MountainFrazier's _Cold Mountain_ deserves a bookshelf spot for any who appreciate a Civil War era saga. Full of the range of human emotions and the tolls of this - and all - wars.
Josh WeilWeil's reader can practically smell and feel what his characters do. From the smell of a pasture, his character's heartache, insecurities and joy. His novellas collected in _The New Valley_ are set in his native Virginia.
Marge,Glad you enjoyed Larry Brown.
"Fay", which is 'sort of a sequel' to Joe, explains what happened to some of the characters.
I am going to say it three times........William Faulkner
William Faulkner
William Faulkner
three times a charm!
eudora welty. also, THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER
tennessee williams. read , or better yet experience his plays.
put one on if you can! he's great!
yes, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, of course!
truman capote. not just IN COLD BLOOD which is excellent, but his short stories all based in the south, are great.
for xmas read truman, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY is wonderful.
to get a small dose of faulkner to start out with, read A ROSE FOR EMILY.it's a great story for halloween too!
here it is.......
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/engli...
enjoy, it's a great story!
gary
THE COMPLETE STORIES OF TRUMAN CAPOTE this is the definative book of all his stories. THE THANKSGIVNG VISITOR , A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, AND ONE CHRISTMAS i read around the holidays.
his other novels are good. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'SOTHER VOICES OTHER ROOMS.
anybody know which favorite southern author used truman for one of her characters that was a playmate for these other children?
answers????
anybody know which favorite southern author used truman for one of her characters that was a playmate for these other children? answers????
HARPER LEE - TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - TRUMAN used as model for Boo Radley?
Gary wrote: "his other novels are good. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'SOTHER VOICES OTHER ROOMS.
anybody know which favorite southern author used truman for one of her characters that was a playmate for these other ch..."
HARPER LEE - In TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Didn't she model Boo Radley on Truman?
no,it wasn't boo radley. boo was the guy they were afraid of hidden in the house. try a sickly skinny boy ,lived next door,and was there in the summer living with aunts. yes, janice,dig out that copy of your book,and you'll figure it out. anybody else?
yes! dill! very good, judy! also harper went with truman to get research is his novel IN COLD BLOOD. we go see my inlaws in kansas, we drive by the prison where he visited the murderers,and where they were hung.
Looking for a fresh take on Southern Literature? If you live within driving distance of Columbus, Mississippi, come join us in a month for the annual Eudora Welty Writers' Symposium. 13 great writers: Natasha Trethewey, Tony Earley, Ravi Howard, Pearl McHaney (speaking on Eudora Welty), Becky Gould Gibson, Melissa Delbridge, Jim Murphy, Bridget Smith Pieschel, Ken Wells, Frank X Walker, Jesmyn Ward, Jack Riggs, and me.October 22-24, 2009, Mississippi University for Women: Admission is free.
http://www.muw.edu/welty
See our Preview (and soon Program) page to learn more about this year's authors. View Past Programs and History to see who we invited in our first 20 years.
If it wasn't part of the South during the Civil War then that eliminates quite a few of us, I guess. Some people only define South as Deep South, but if you're from Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana...you're Southern.Oklahoma has produced a good writer Billie Letts, then Tracy Letts...how Southern does one have to be to be considered Southern?
Regarding the Grapes of Wrath being or not being considered Southern Lit, the family began their journey during the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma - that was a major part of the writing - dirt, dirt, dirt. And from there Steinbeck went into a majestic and beautiful description of what we now call "Okies". It's true that it's American Lit primarily, but part of the reason it is so great is that it reaches so many parts of Americana.
Vanessa wrote: "It's Oklahoma, Terah! I've heard it's fantastic! His mother, Billie, was my professor in college. "Yes! I got tickets to the play in Tulsa! Can't wait!!
Did you end up reading Fay? If so, want to comment on it? Fay is one of my favorite tragicomic characters.Marge wrote: "Tom wrote: "Marge,
Glad you enjoyed Larry Brown.
"Fay", which is 'sort of a sequel' to Joe, explains what happened to some of the characters."
I have ordered "Fay" from the San Diego library (it's ..."
Fans of Southern Literature
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I will start...
I just read a newer author, Tom Franklin's "Poachers". Its a collection of short stories about his native Alabama and its quite good, especially the last story, titled "Poachers". I am curious to see his author works, but if you like Breece D'J Pancake, or McCarthy, I think you will like this book.