On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

When you have finished the novel, please share your comments, and reviews, if you wish. Spoilers allowed in this thread.

Here is a review by Diane: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... I really loved this one.

I read this last May but did not write a review. The only problem with not writing one is a year later I'm not capable of getting in touch with my thoughts about it. Too many books come and gone since then. I can't say why it was a 4 ★ read rather than a 5 but I added The Clearing at the same time so undoubtedly was impressed with his writing.

That's why I write my reviews immediately after reading if possible. When you read as much as we do, the details get lost in the fog. If it's from the library, I have to do a review before I take it back, just to remind myself of names and places.

So far I'm not as successful at review retirement as I had hoped to be. Perhaps I should keep private notes for my eyes only for occasions such as this.

Please keep reviewing. Even your short ones are good.

Residing about 20 miles from where Gautreaux lived, taught, and wrote for so many years, I’ve definitely got the home field advantage in knowing tidbits about his hobbies and habits. Mutual friends of ours rave about his knowledge of small rail locomotives and steam engines, and that explains how he brings these mechanisms to life so easily. Funny little personal stories explain his wit and warmth.

But a reader could be from Mars and appreciate all that. The Missing is a historical gem for New Orleans and for Cajun country which is upriver from us. Gautreaux is from the part of Louisiana where Acadian French, Fais do dos, crawfish boils, and homespun story telling are still kings. It’s been a long while since my second reading of this, but I enjoyed the historical fiction as much as the character study of Simoneaux, a man probably wrestling with a good bit of survivor’s guilt.

His first novel didn’t really grab me, and I’d slip this one in second place behind The Clearing. His short stories are charming and sorrowful and fantastic. They’ll make you want to invite this guy over for dinner and be his friend. If you’re serving country gumbo, you’d better have a side of potato salad to go with. Great book.

It was a great book, LeAnne, and I actually liked it better than The Clearing. His love of New Orleans and his fellow "coon-asses" comes through strong. He is a storyteller extraordinaire.

Diane wrote: "It was a great book, LeAnne, and I actually liked it better than The Clearing. His love of New Orleans and his fellow "coon-asses" comes through strong. He is a storyteller extraordinaire."

Indeed. I hope he'll be at work on a novel soon!

Wow, what an amazing book! I love all the creative details, including a mule that only responds to French, characters built layer upon layer like huge wedding cakes, and a plot with enough twists to give the reader whiplash. Humor can be very tricky, but Gautreaux delivers a gentle, wry wit that is spot on. I am a hard sell on humor, but this author has my number. He writes with such delicacy and ease that it feels like a good friend sharing a chat. A grand book all the way through!

I feel as though I’ve discovered a gem. I loved this book!

This was a very enjoyable book. It had a great cast of characters, a caring protagonist that I would love to know, historical details, and wonderful descriptions. Thanks for choosing this book, Diane.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Glad you enjoyed it, Connie. I loved Sam (Lucky) too, and thought he was a great guy. His wife Linda was pretty special too.

My review of The Missing. 4+ stars for me

Outstanding moderator’s choice, Miss Scarlett! This was a superb novel.


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Agreed. I really enjoyed it.