On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

I am now accepting nominations for our October, 2019, Group reads. What shall we read?

Lawyer

Since it is October, I would like to recommend Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon for the post-1980 read. I was introduced to this author in this group when we read Boy's Life.

Post 1980:

Edisto

Simons Everson Manigault ('You say it 'Simmons.' I'm a rare one-m Simons") lives with his mother, an eccentric professor (known as the Duchess), on an isolated and undeveloped strip of South Carolina coast. Convinced that her son can be a writer of genius, the Duchess has immersed Simons in the literary classics since birth ("Like some kids swat mobiles, I was to thumb pages") and has given him free rein to gather material in such spots as the Baby Grand, a local black nightclub. ("It was an assignment. I'm supposed to write. I'm supposed get good at it.")

Pre 1980:
Half in Shadow

Mary Elizabeth Counselman's "Three Marked Pennies" was one of the most popular stories ever to appear in the pages of Weird Tales magazine, and the work subsequently has become an acknowledged classic of American literature. Together with C.L. Moore, Miss Counselman was Weird Tales's preeminent female author, and this collection preserves her finest supernatural fiction written over a period of forty years, including: "The Three Marked Pennies," "The Unwanted," "The Shot-Tower Ghost," "Night Court," "The Monkey Spoons," "The Smiling Face," "A Death Crown for Mr. Hapworthy," "The Black Stone Statue," "Seventh Sister," "Parasite Mansion," "The Green Window," "The Tree's Wife," "Twister," and "A Handful of Silver."

My nomination for post-1980:

The Elementals by Michael McDowell

"On a split of land cut off by the Gulf, three Victorian summer houses stand against the encroaching sand. Two of the houses at Beldame are still used. The third house, filling with sand, is empty...except for the vicious horror which is shaping nightmares from the nothingness that hangs in the dank, fetid air.

The McCrays and Savages, two fine Mobile families allied by marriage, have been coming to Beldame for years. This summer, with a terrible funeral behind them and a messy divorce coming up, even Luker McCray and little India down from New York are looking forward to being alone at Beldame.

But they won't be alone. For something there, something they don't like to think about, is thinking about them...and about all the ways to make them die."

John wrote: "Since it is October, I would like to recommend Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon for the post-1980 read. I was introduced to this author in this group when we read Boy's Life."

A perfect October read. McCammon begins a series of novels set in Colonial America featuring Matthew Corbett, clerk to Judge Woodard. The two must try a young woman charged with witchcraft. It is set in the Carolinas in 1699. Nominated Post 1980.

Tina wrote: "Post 1980:

Edisto

Simons Everson Manigault ('You say it 'Simmons.' I'm a rare one-m Simons") lives with his mother, an eccentric professor (known as the Duchess), on an isolated and..."

Thank you, Tina! Done. Nominated Post 1980.

Tina wrote: "Pre 1980:
Half in Shadow

Mary Elizabeth Counselman's "Three Marked Pennies" was one of the most popular stories ever to appear in the pages of Weird Tales magazine, and the work subs..."

Ahhh. Another fine Halloween read Nominated Pre-1980.

Warren wrote: "Since it's October, I'm going to suggest some Southern fried horror for post-1980:

The Elementals by Michael McDowell

"On a split of land cut off by the Gulf, three V..."

Warren, thank you. It's shaping up to be a spooky October. Nominated Post 1980.

I received our next two nominations from Trail member Rebbie.

Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison is nominated Post 1980. This novel is a haunting story of child sexual abuse.

And, Rebbie, Outer Dark byCormac McCarthy is nominated Pre-1980. Definitely among McCarthy's darkest works!

Lawyer wrote: "And, Rebbie, Outer Dark byCormac McCarthy is nominated Pre-1980. Definitely among McCarthy's darkest works!"

I just realized that I was supposed to post my nominations rather than email them to you. Oops, sorry about that!

I'll be sure to post them properly next time, and include a brief synopsis too. Thanks :)

For Pre-1980
I would like to nominate Fools' Parade by Davis Grubb

Post-1980 I'll nominate The Cumberland Killers: A Kentucky Mystery by James Aura

I always enjoy picking books to read in October so I begged Diane to switch months for the Moderator's Choice selection and she graciously agreed. That said, my pick for the October Moderator's Choice selection is The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons. This will be a new author for me so I am looking forward to it.

If the nominations above are any indication, this promises to be an exciting month. McGammon, McDowell AND McCarthy? I'm not sure my Scots-Irish heart can bear it!

Good pick Tom, I’ve been wanting to read “The House Next Door” so now I have a good reason to do so!

Rebbie wrote: "Lawyer wrote: "And, Rebbie, Outer Dark byCormac McCarthy is nominated Pre-1980. Definitely among McCarthy's darkest works!"

I just realized that I was supposed to post m..."


Not a problem at all, Rebbie!

I would like to nominate "In West Mills" by De'Shawn Charles Winslow for post 1980 group read for October
I would like to nominate "A Childhood" by Harry Crews for pre 1980 group read for October.
Thanks.

Beverly wrote: "For Pre-1980
I would like to nominate Fools' Parade by Davis Grubb"

Beverly, Fools' Parade is a true treat of a read. Set during the Great Depression, three men are released from prison in West Virginia to collect their earnings from working during their imprisonment. It's a heckuva lot of money. Mattie Appleyard anticipating the bank will be unwilling to cough up the money, straps himself with dynamite threatening to blow up himself and the bank until the bank Prez cuts a check. It's a cat and mouse chase. The novel was filmed and it was Jimmy Stewart's final big screen role. Great movie. Great book. Nominated Pre 1980.

Harold wrote: "Post-1980 I'll nominate The Cumberland Killers: A Kentucky Mystery by James Aura"

Thanks, Harold. Nominated Post 1980.

Judi wrote: "I would like to nominate "In West Mills" by De'Shawn Charles Winslow for post 1980 group read for October
I would like to nominate "A Childhood" by Harry Crews for pre 1980 group read for October. ..."

I was just coming here to nominate In West Mills after hearing an interview with the author! It sounds good.

Suzy wrote: "Judi wrote: "I would like to nominate "In West Mills" by De'Shawn Charles Winslow for post 1980 group read for October
I would like to nominate "A Childhood" by Harry Crews for pre 1980 group read ..."

Love the reviews. Look forward to reading it! We are on the same page, so to speak.

Judi wrote: "I would like to nominate "In West Mills" by De'Shawn Charles Winslow for post 1980 group read for October
I would like to nominate "A Childhood" by Harry Crews for pre 1980 group read for October. ..."

Thanks, Judi. Each is nominated in its respective category.

It appears that we now have six nominations for the Post-1980 selection, thus closing that category to new nominations. There is still room for three more Pre-1980 nominations.

Tina wrote: "Pre 1980:
Half in Shadow

Mary Elizabeth Counselman's "Three Marked Pennies" was one of the most popular stories ever to appear in the pages of Weird Tales magazine, and the work subs..."

This author sounds right up my alley. I'm not sure that readers will be able to find affordable copies of this book, though.

1950 published

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Here's another nomination for pre-1980:

Jubilee by Margaret Walker

"Here is the classic—and true—story of Vyry, the child of a white plantation owner and his black mistress, a Southern Civil War heroine to rival Scarlett O'Hara. Vyry bears witness to the South's prewar opulence and its brutality, to its wartime ruin and the subsequent promise of Reconstruction. It is a story that Margaret Walker heard as a child from her grandmother, the real Vyry's daughter.

The author spent thirty years researching the novel so that the world might know the intelligent, strong, and brave black woman called Vyry. The phenomenal acclaim this best-selling book has achieved from readers black and white, young and old, attests to her success. "

The list for Post-1980 is:
Speaks the Nightbird by Robert R. McCammon
Edisto by Padgett Powell
The Elementals by Michael McDowell
Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
The Cumberland Killers: A Kentucky Mystery by James Aura
In West Mills by De'Shawn Charles Winslow

The nominations for Pre-1980 are:
Half in Shadow by Mary Elizabeth Counselman
Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy
Fools' Parade by Davis Grubb
Better a Dinner of Herbs by Byron Herbert Reece
A Childhood: The Biography of a Place by Harry Crews
Jubilee by Margaret Walker

That should do it. The nominations are now closed. I'll set up the polls in the morning.

The Polls are up and running for the October selections. There are some tough choices to be made in both categories.

For the Pre-1980 poll, Vote here!

For the Post-1980 poll, Vote here!