On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Rick Bragg is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. He was born in 1954 in Piedmont, Alabama, in the northeastern part of the state. He grew up in Possum Trot, Alabama--yes, it's a real place. Daddy Bragg was rarely on the scene, a drinker and a general carouser. Bragg was raised by his mother with the help of his maternal grandparents. Bragg will tell you to this day he learned to tell stories by listening to those told by his family members.

All Over But the Shoutin' is the first of a trilogy of remarkable memoirs by this exceptional writer. The saga continues in Ava's Man and concludes with The Prince of Frogtown where Bragg finally confronts the story of his father.

If you've read this one, well, it might be time to read it again or read another of the Bragg family story. If you haven't read this, you'll be glad you did.

As for April, we'll be thinking about it.

Mike
"Lawyer Stevens"

Ah, marvelous: there's still another one to read, THE PRINCE OF FROGTOWN! Can't wait to get it. Thank you, Mike--I didn't know there was a trilogy. I loved ALL OVER and AVA'S MAN, although there was something in that second one that moved me more. Think I'll read it again. And I look forward to you guys' discussion.

Trish

Patricia wrote: "Ah, marvelous: there's still another one to read, THE PRINCE OF FROGTOWN! Can't wait to get it. Thank you, Mike--I didn't know there was a trilogy. I loved ALL OVER and AVA'S MAN, although ther..."

I must agree. Bragg is marvelous. And I think you will be fascinated by The Prince of Frogtown. Bragg knew little of his father growing up. The idea of writing this final volume came to Bragg when he was visiting home. He was approached by an older man who told him, "You look a lot like your Daddy." And Bragg was off, searching for his father from the memories of those who knew him. It is the perfect conclusion to the Bragg Family Saga.

Mike

Think I've mentioned that this is a time period for me of little free space. Alas: bought the Kindle version of FROGTOWN last night and pretty much lost myself to it. The thing about Bragg that intrigues me so much is what a poet he is, in terms of sensibility. I kept being struck last night by how much he reminds me of (yes) Dylan Thomas, one of the great, great loves of my youth. It's not in Bragg's writing in itself (although I do hear a kind of familiar resonance--suspect he also has loved Thomas). It's in the sensibility. He is nothing less than a wonderful writer. If any of you have not read him, do so. You have much to look forward to.

I am about halfway through rereading All Over But the Shouting and loving it again. Mr Bragg is such a fine writer and a fine storyteller. Can't wait to reread the rest of the trilogy. I'm so glad this was moderators choice! Such an enjoyable and touching book!

Here's a (non-fiction) title I picked up from Bragg's acknowledgements in Shoutin: Poor but Proud: Alabama's Poor Whites by Wayne Flynt. I am from a very different part of Alabama, but Bragg has interested me in this history. He is such a fine and powerful writer, inspired by such strong feeling. Kudos to him all around!

Patricia wrote: "Here's a (non-fiction) title I picked up from Bragg's acknowledgements in Shoutin: Poor but Proud: Alabama's Poor Whites by Wayne Flynt. I am from a very different part of Alabama, but Bragg has i..."

Patricia, Poor but Proud: Alabama's Poor Whites is a fine book. Along the same line is The Most They Ever Had by Rick Bragg about life in a mill town near Jacksonville, Alabama.

Mike

So glad to hear that someone has read this book and recommends it. A beloved book of mine that perhaps is the parent work of this line of sensibility is Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, as I'm sure you're aware. I read it like poetry--a few parts suggest fiction.

Mike,
So glad you chose All Over But the Shoutin' I have my own copy and can't wait to start it. Checked out Hell at the Breech at the library so trying to finish it first.

Beverly - what do you think of Hell at the Breech? It's on my to read list

Betsy wrote: "Beverly - what do you think of Hell at the Breech? It's on my to read list"

It is an interesting read especially since it is based on facts. Also a well written but violent story. Can't wait to see if there is some redemption.

Mike, sorry to disagree, but he was born in July of 1959 ;) AND he's kinda fuzzy in the book on actual years he did some things in... I think he got some of the years wrong, and they weren't edited. I've found about 10 editing errors, not counting the years, so far.

More later when I'm on a computer I can copy and past on without losing my post ;)

(glad I found this discussion)

Back to sleep now, if the pup will allow!

Meran wrote: "Mike, sorry to disagree, but he was born in July of 1959 ;) AND he's kinda fuzzy in the book on actual years he did some things in... I think he got some of the years wrong, and they weren't edited..."

Hah! Thanks for the catch. Chalk this one up to a moment of senior eyesight. *grin* I'll be watching for your posts! I know how it is to be away from my computer. Peck...Peck...Peck. I don't know how those texters type so fast.

You're funny, Mike :D

SOOO sleeepy, it's raining hard here, don't want to get up and about :)

I haven't read Bragg before and I have to admit, I'm enjoying it... with reservations... With the exception of a good mother and a supportive family, and my upbringing in the North near Detroit (Toledo Ohio), my life is SO SIMILAR that it's uncomfortable at times to read this book. I was born in 1953, so I'm a little older than Rick, but we were very poor regardless, city poor not country poor. Of Irish German descent, Protestant (so prob Scotch Irish, as he is), drunks (addicts of all kinds) figure heavily in our family. His father was my father (mine was Swedish... And btw, apparently NOT MY father, though he was father to 4 of my 5 siblings). His pattern was so similar I almost wonder if they were somehow related.

I, also, was too dumb to know if I was happy or not; it's the way things were.

As a result, I'm a bit reluctant to speak up on the discussion. I hope it doesn't look as if I want sympathy. I think most "normal" people really wonder if the events are as depicted. I can assure them that they're probably worse. ;)

Last year I thought I'd join the Nanowrimo event; I wasn't emotionally ready. Maybe this year... Reading this makes me want the catharthis the soul/life dumping spewing would bring.

Heck, I'm not even sure how I'm going to write even a small review!

I understand Bragg's upbringing... It's amazing and a testament to his character that he was even able to write about his childhood. Hooray, that he had such a wonderful mom!

I loved my mom, but couldn't respect her. (told a psychiatrist that once. He told me it was an honest statement and he could understand it.) She was arrested so many times. My "dad" served time for fraud. At least once, though he wasn't smart enough to be a true con man. Lol

I know I have a LOT of material for a book. Or two. Thought I'd call one of them "Momma Stories". 

He's a very straightforward, down to earth writer. I'm enjoying his book.

I googled him, haven't seen any public info on him for the last 5 yrs; I hope he's doing well! No deaths, etc (other than his dad dying, of course. That already happened ;) )

It's a bit difficult to read, in parts, because of my own history. I must admit that I want to write my stories out now! Not necessarily to publish... I could write it, then spend years "polishing" it ;)


(sorry if this is disjointed. It's from a private discussion where I was working out what I'd say, here and on my review.)

Please, y'all. I certainly would like to hear your comments on the memoir! :)

To Meran and Brenda: I know Rick Bragg writes a monthly column for Southern Living. It's always at the back and is the first thing I turn to in the magazine. I think he still lives in Alabama and is married with a stepson.

Brenda's friend does indeed live a sheltered life; there are so many people who have had awful childhoods for whatever reason. A lot of them come out of it stronger and with a determination not to repeat their parent's mistakes. I saw a TV interview with Rick Bragg several years ago. A lady in the audience asked him if he had trauma from his rough childhood. I loved his reply: "Lady, we didn't have time to be traumatized. We were too busy just trying to survive."

Meran, thanks for opening up and being honest. Definitely write it down, even if no one ever sees it but you. Sometimes it just needs to get out, and paper is as good a place as any.

Brenda wrote: "Maybe Moderator Mike can fill us in, I think that's his neck of the woods. http://alabamaliterarymap.lib.ua.edu/... "

Rick Bragg is a professor of writing in the journalism department of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Al. He lives in a neighborhood that was devastated by the tornado of April 27, 2011. One of his first journal articles for Southern Living Magazine was a piece on the experiences of his neighbors during the tornado and how they pulled together in the aftermath of the storm. It was excellent as I have found all his writing to be.

Want to write to Bragg about your responses? You can reach him at [email protected].

Mike

Meran wrote: "I haven't read Bragg before and I have to admit, I'm enjoying it... with reservations... With the exception of a good mother and a supportive family, and my upbringing in the North near Detroit (To..."

Allow me to join Diane in commending you for your openness in your responses to Bragg's memoir. I also recommend journal-ling.

Mike

Y'all are kind ;) I very much appreciate it!

and yeah, at the time, I didn't have enough background, knowledge, etc to know if I was 'traumatized'… after all, though my childhood was rough, I was growing up (until age 9) in a project… which in the 50s, early 60s, was kept clean by maintenance men. (these projects were special housing units built for all the returning servicemen and their families from WWII, I believe).

I've met MANY people who would never believe (and don't when they hear snippets) that life can be rough. Or ever was. I know quite a few ladies like the one mentioned above. I talk to them on their level.. not down ;) and never up either. I consider most of them to be rather limited.

I always thought that, before I was born, the guy who talks to the going to be newly born souls (funny enough, I'm not religious)… anyway, he asked me what kind of life I wanted. And stupid me said "an interesting one!" ;)

I saw that he was writing occasionally for Southern Living. It's every month? (I hope he's writing even more books… an article once a month for a wonderful writer keeps him lazy ;) )

Enough about me. And yes, I'm going to begin by writing little snippets of stories. One always leads to another, and I know I'm missing TONS… My brothers both died young, and stupidly. Sadly, very sadly. I'd like to record their stories as well.

BTW, it'll definitely be under a pseudonym. I have some of those stupid drunk self important relatives to fight; I don't want lawyers involved :D

Meran, not to be trite, but, You Go Girl!

Thanks for your support! :D

Another author I felt has inspired me to record the way life was in the 50s and 60s, for me, is Pat Conroy. His relationship with his parents was also 'conflicted'… I'll be reading his new book soon, but have to read The Great Santini first.

Meran - both Conroy and Bragg appeal to me as well. And remember no one really came from a "normal" family. Stay strong!

Thanks Betsy! I do hope my stories, though VERY appalling, will also come across as funny... As in "I'm glad that's not me, I'm so relieved!" funny. Lol

A co worker and I, while working 12 hr days (we were drafters, no mind needed to be engaged), used to tell each other stories to pass the time... He had some good ones, but finally, one day, he turned to me and told me I'd won the Weird Family trophy :)

Btw, we worked at what is now called the Savannah River Site in S. Carolina. Also, colloquially known as "The Bomb Plant". Conroy wrote about it in Prince of Tides and it's why I was invited to read that book in the first place. If anyone wants to know, Conroy didn't stretch the truth at all about the place, in the book. In fact, I could see the long arm of the Secret Police in that info, what he was allowed to write. (I love best the stories behind the stories, you know?)

Meran, I thought Savannah River was a nuclear waste disposal site. Has it been something else in the past to be known as "The Bomb Plant"?

lol, oh yes.

In the 50s, it was commissioned to be part of the Manhattan Project. They swallowed up a town, moved the people 'elsewhere'… people fought it too!

By the time I worked there in 1986, there were old reactors where the tritium was made (look that up). I was the lead in a project that began with my employment, asbuilting the old reactors that were still active. Yes, it was aimed towards decommissioning them, but they hadn't been yet. One of the areas (the interior is broken up into areas, with alpha designations) which are HUGE, was being set up for nuclear waste. It wasn't successful for a long time (don't believe the hype; it probably still isn't).

The old reactors have probably been 'abandoned in place'. My drawings are still in use today, though never officially accepted. (I got to talk to the guys in the impeccable black suits and black sunglasses… they were always respectful and nice. They worked for the Secretary of the Interior, whose name I don't remember just now. Would have to look it up)

btw, they deposited some stuff there for many years, illegally, even by the standards of those days. Those big fields are driven around, not worked in.

And the site is supposed to be 'processing nuclear waste' …it isn't deposited there. It's shipped to NM and other places. I believe they might be doing that at Hanford, in Oregon too.

It's a big, tangled web. Read Prince of Tides, the early part I think.

I went from working at the place where the fluid for the atom bombs (and cluster bombs) was made to Rocky Flats in Colorado, where the pits were made (triggers) for the bombs.

That's a much worse place. They'd had a criticality in the late 80s, though it was reported as a 'near criticality'..

I'm sure at least one was at SRS, though it's a much bigger place, easier to hide one.

Both places have 'infinity rooms', rooms that will never be opened, they're worse than Chernobyl…

Yikes Meran! Sounds like your stories, like Bragg and Conroy, will take some of their humor from the author having survived and prospered. And the attitude that helped the author do so. I'd love to hear your stories.

Yeah, distance is really important in the telling AND the appreciation of humorous situations :D

That's why my comment about Bragg… it's HARD to write about difficult to live through events… until a LOT of time has gone by. I've been told I'm pretty funny, but only by people who understand wry humor LOL

I'm not getting far in this book, mostly because I'm hitting Wikipedia with nearly every page!

Though I'm a little older than Bragg, I definitely remember most of the world events he writes about, except... At the time, we got different and probably not complete info on those events. So, with my need to know (hah!), I'm looking everything up! I'm into Haiti at this moment.

Is anyone else doing the same? Or am I just weird? ;)

You're not weird. I'd do the same if I could find the time. Right now. I wish you good searching

I maintain there is nothing wrong with being weird! In fact, I recommend each of us should try it out at least occasionally.

So, you're looking up references from the book?

Meran wrote: "So, you're looking up references from the book?"

No, I'm just trying to be the odd duck now and again! No references required.

Meran, I flipped over to Wikipedia when I was reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. There were so many characters from the historical era of Henry VIII that I just needed to look at their portraits and get the relationship of the characters straight. It was very valuable, but it slowed my reading down so much I haven't done it since. But it's definitely very easy to do with an ereader.

I love looking it all up! (I admit to having a lot of my own reference books so I can have the book right next to me; I end up reading two books for the reading, so have two to claim on my reading challenges ;) )

I figure I pick up speed for some books that aren't fact based so it's a win!

I really enjoyed this one, absolutely loved Bragg's writing - wish I could read his monthly column but unfortunately I think I'm a bit outside of the Southern Living catchment area lol! He gives you a really good sense of the place and time he is writing about, always the mark of a good storyteller imo. Definitely going to look up 'Ava's Man' and 'The Prince of Frogtown' as well!

I'd love to be one… what does it take?

I finished this two nights ago. Very impressive book, and writing (though the errors, both deliberate and not, bothered me) I'll definitely be reading the other two in the series, at the least!

It's at a school? I've tried to get into the Reading programs; they won't take me because I'm not a parent. REally. (this is Oregon.)

Thanks. :)

(my apologies also. Don't want to hijack the thread!)

I personally don't think apologies are necessary. It was an interesting topic and really related to the Bragg book(s) as he's driven me to further research on several occasions.

It's amazing how much I hit Wikipedia ;) I normally do it often; it's not unusual! But Bragg brought up SO MUCH, historically and behaviorally, that I was glad I was reading this group on a computer device ;)

Is anyone else going to read the other two?

I'm already almost done Ava's Man

Meran wrote: "It's amazing how much I hit Wikipedia ;) I normally do it often; it's not unusual! But Bragg brought up SO MUCH, historically and behaviorally, that I was glad I was reading this group on a compute..."

I have read all three of these books, but I think Ava's Man was my favorite, maybe because it went further back into the family's past. The Prince of Frogtown was probably the hardest one for him to write, I'm sure it dredged up a lot of difficult emotions. Bragg is such a poetical writer about all things southern, it would be interesting to see what he could do with subject matter unrelated to family.

Bragg has written much about things unrelated to his family and those, articles and books, are also phenomenal.

Thanks, Betsy. I should have known, since he was a reporter. I'll look for them.

Interesting to hear that Ava's Man is also someone else's favorite of Bragg's, not just mine. But since I read Shoutin' first, I wonder if I would have connected so deeply with A's Man without having done so.

I have been sold on a "new" author by GoodReads again! I just went online and bought 99 cent used copies of the Bragg trilogy. I have a new bookshelf and GR makes it so easy to fill it up!

You won't regret that purchase, Larry! Read them as slowly as you can. Make them last!

Larry, I KNOW, right?

I've doubled my to read shelf, here at home. Nothing that NEEDED to be done ;) I think I have close to 200 on it now. Even at the promised 185 books this year, I know I'll buy more (like the next 2 in this series). I'll never 'win' LOL

except that I get to read pretty darn good books :D

Meran wrote: "Larry, I KNOW, right?"

My New Year's Resolution was to read only books I already have. I obviously meant to include "to try" as an essential part. That was obvious, wasn't it?