On the Southern Literary Trail discussion
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General Bookishness
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Retired: What are you reading?
LeAnne wrote: "Just finished I Will Send Rain as part of a small-group read. While it is set in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl, not precisely a "southern" book, it certainly felt like it. There is ..."There are also prayers lifted up by the local preacher to his congregation that NAIL, I mean nail, the speech patterns of tent-revival speakers. There are no snakes or writhing or speaking in tongues, but had those popped up during the Reverend Hardy's prayers, I would've had to say Amen, brother!
Oh ! LeAnne - I think you should feel any way you want . You have the experience to voice any emotion you feel. I have not heard of this book , but why would someone think of such a horrible story . I have never seen a child with autism that was mean are cruel. Usually they are very shy and quiet or the opposite , a bunch of energy. I have a friend that had twins and they were fraternal , a boy and a girl . Lovely children and the parents devoted their lives to them . The Mom, actually works at a permanent facility for children who are not kept at home so she knows very well how to best help . The young boy has now graduated with a PHD. In Electrical Engineering , but he is socially awkward so he prefers to stay home with his sister who is the happy creative type . She is a very creative artist . She draws, paints and acts too. She is very social but she can't really be left unsupervised .
Together they are a perfect pair, Ashley and Andrew . They have another daughter too that is older and she is extremely intelligent and a creative graphics designer. Ashley often helps with her work.
Autistic children are usually very loving once they get over the early years . At least that is what they tell me . God bless you LeAnne because God only gives children that need the special care and most love to those who have that gift already in their heart . You are special .
Dawn
I don't think that at all, Carol. I do not rate everything five stars and I read many ARC's. In fact I am quite stingy with my five star ratings. I also did not get the same impression from the book as Leanne did. In fact it made me realize how much like real boys teenagers, the disabled are. So called normal teenagers, bully, name call and do unlikable things, just like Ivan. Did not get the same impression as Leanne from this book at all and I was raised with a developmentally and disabled cousin my own age, I also have five sons. I think all readers take something different from each book, and one's opinion is not more important than another. Everyone is entitled to their own viewpoint.I also think this might not be the best place to discuss this.
I read a lot of ARCs as well and don't give every one I read 5 stars . I also will not finish one that I just am not enjoying and therefore not rate it or review at all . I suspect that I would have lower rating if I finished those but life is too short to keep reading a book that I don't love .I also didn't see the book in the same way as LeAnne and maybe would feel differently if I had a special needs child . I have a GR friend who has two autistic children and she rated the book 4 stars. I just think that reading is a very personal experience and we all see books from our own personal perspective. That's what is so great about Goodreads .
I liked The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko, and felt that the author was trying to show that there were not enough resources and the children were not well supervised. Many had no visits from their parents, and no love. Puberty is difficult for anyone, and is even worse for a disabled child who may not have a good self image. So it may be realistic for them to act out and bully other kids, even if it makes us cringe. The author is a teacher so he's used to adolescents. I have a cousin with Downs Syndrome so I notice how developmentally disabled people are portrayed. But an author can also be trying to be realistic, like Dickens was in his stories of terrible childhoods. You have a kind heart, LeAnne, and have had many challenges to face. Everyone will have a different reaction to a book because of their circumstances.
I apologize for accidentally hijacking our group discussion and thank you all for your kind feedback. Moving on..
This will sound like heresy, but since I'm about 3/4 through the new Ron Rash book, can I ask if anybody else was mildly let down? I've had real world events and action items to attend to - and a high school football game in half an hour - so it'll be tomorrow before I finish.Without blowing the last portion for me, does it improve??? Thanks!
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Firefly Lane just finished it. it is a great book about a lasting friendship. is a must read it is a heart touching book
Welllll, maybe it is just me, but Ron Rash's latest did not thrill me at all. Disappointed.
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Kim- glad you liked Firefly Lane. I read it but I'm not big on "chick lit" so it just wasn't for me but I thought was well written
My library doesn't have Rash yet either :( But I loved Serena so hopefully I will not be let down. In the meantime, today reading A Summons to Memphis. I wasn't in the group yet when you read it so I am looking forward. Also hoping to read Behold the Dreamers this week.
Brina wrote: "Kim- glad you liked Firefly Lane. I read it but I'm not big on "chick lit" so it just wasn't for me but I thought was well written"I read almost anything. the only thing I don't like reading is sci-fi but will read them if I have them
It's not Southern Lit ... but it's Dame Agatha ....
The Mirror Crack’d From Side To Side
– Agatha Christie – 3.5*** Miss Marple is showing her age but she’s really not so frail as people think, and she can still out-detect the most experienced Scotland Yard inspector. Christie really kept me guessing on this one. There are plenty of suspects, and lots of red herrings. Miss Marple is at her best in using her knowledge of human behavior and deducing the truth.
Full Review HERE
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I read The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham. My review is here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Lawyer wrote: "Thanks to Doug H for recommending The Power of the Dog ... This was a five star read for me..."I'm glad you enjoyed it, Mike. It's still my favorite book of the year and I'm slowly amassing a pile of his out-of-print novels to keep my heart warm this winter.
For Your Love
– Beverly Jenkins – 3*** This is the sixth book in the Blessings series, which follows the residents of Henry Adams, Kansas, a small town originally founded by freed slaves. I liked that things don’t always go smoothly, but that – for the most part – the characters react realistically. And then there’s Astrid Wiggins; she is a caricature, so evil and unreasonable in her hatred and vindictiveness that she’s totally unbelievable. On the whole, however, it was an enjoyable, quick read. It reminded me of both the Miss Julia series by Ann B Ross, and the Harmony series by Philip Gulley.
Full Review HERE
Finished American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm reading Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. I believe y'all read this a while back, if I'm not mistaken, or possibly I just saw that a few of you had. It's tremendous. I'm only about 20% through it, but it's such an eye-opener for those not familiar with the "justice" system in America, and in particular with this book, in the South. Terrible truths here.
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It was my favorite book last year. I listened to the audio version read by Bryan and more than once was walking my dogs through the park with tears streaming down my face.
The book is also useful. I have jury duty later this week and intend to take my copy and be seen reading it by the prosecutors if I am tapped for a trial I don't want to serve on.
Tom wrote: "Donna wrote: "I'm reading Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. I believe y'all read this a while back, if I'm not mistaken, or possibly I just saw that a few of you had. It's tremendous. I'm only about 2..."Oh, Tom! That's a great idea, ha ha! Let us know how that works out! And yes, I've already shed several tears over this book myself.
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Laura wrote: "Donna if you want a fictional companion piece try The Enchanted."Laura, thanks! I'll check into it!
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Tom wrote: "Autumn is starting to make itself felt outside which makes it the perfect time to start rereading Harvest Home: A Novel. I read this about 45 years ago and absolutely loved it. It h..."I read this a couple of years ago for one of my Halloween reads and it was very eerie and suspenseful !
Tom and Beverly!!! This is crazy. I had not thought about that creepy pagan story in years, but I have had my copy for probably 40 years. Earlier today, I was going through the bookshelf I have for scary novels (starting to prep for Halloween & we leave these books out w a raven statue, cobwebs, etc). I pulled out The Other & Harvest Home and thought about how good they were.
Tom, you must have ESPN and channeled your thoughts!
Three or four years ago I picked up a photography book at the Square Book Store in Oxford titled Faulkner's World. It contains the photos of Martin Dain taken of Faulkner and the area in and around Oxford in 61-62 before Faulkner died. For all you Faulkner fans it contains some great black & white photos. I call it my Faulkner image book. You will see his books and stories as you look thru the book. Really well done. Published 1997.
I finished News of the World. 5 stars . This will be one of my favorites of the year ! My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
I am really looking forward to reading this one.
Me too I have just pre ordered it It sounds my cup of tea
Don't mean so so but very very good !
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I hadn't realized that Paulette Jiles was also the author of Enemy Women. Now I'm definitely going to read it. I hope she does a book tour to NoCal.
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On the Southern Literary Trail
Books mentioned in this topic
Happy Land (other topics)Take My Hand (other topics)
Happy Land (other topics)
Happy Land (other topics)
Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman's March and the Story of America's Largest Emancipation (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Bennett Parten (other topics)Wes Browne (other topics)
Hubert Skidmore (other topics)
Mark Twain (other topics)
Delia Owens (other topics)
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currently reading this book now