All Over But The Shoutin'

[Dina]

A must-read for anyone who thinks they already know everything there is to know about our country. Bragg grew up as the lowest of white trash in a tiny Alabama hamlet in the 1960s. His growing-up years were beyond amazing to someone (me) who grew up around that same time in a bedroom community of Manhattan. He writes about his life and his family in an utterly exposed and compelling way. The book title is All Over But The Shoutin'

[Chrissie]

Dina, have you read Ava's Man by Bragg? I adored it!!! I am wondering if All Over But the Shoutin' could possibly be as good?! I do not want to be disappointed..... Could you tell me a teeny bit about why this is could compared to Ava"s Man?

[Dina]

HI Chrissie,
I haven't read Ava's Man, but I will get it from the library. I know what you mean about loving a book by an author and not wanting to be disappointed when reading his/her next one. I would give Shoutin' a try anyway.It's about Bragg's himself and a lot on his mother and father, so it's a natural follow-on to Ava's Man, which is about his mother's father. At the worst you'll find that you prefer Ava's Man, and it's always nice to have one's opinion of a book confirmed! Or.....you may love Shoutin' and thus have two great reads!

[Chrissie]

Diana, your arguments are convincing, but still...... most favor Ava's Man, and I am hesitant to read another less worthy book by the author. It is nice to remember the best. Most authors cannot spit out numerous excellent books one after another. That is not a criticism, just a fact.

[Andrea]

I much prefer All Over But the Shoutin. It's been a while since I read them both but I recall All Over as being a lot more about Rick Bragg's life and Ava having a lot less Rick in it. He is quite a character with his own interesting story to tell. I suggest you give it a try, and I hope you enjoy it as much.

[Chrissie]

Andrea, I appreciate your explaing the difference between the two! Thank you.