On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Comments on this board should be written with the assumption that readers have finished the book. If you haven't finished and don't want any spoilers, you may want to wait before reading these posts.

I finished listening to this last night. It was really good. The atmospherics were wonderful and it was so well written.

The scene in which she finds the body is one that stays with you

I was impressed at how alien the world she lives in felt...it felt timeless.

This was a little too dark and crass for me. I knew what I was getting into with the content and the world these people are living in, but still it was a little too much and I just wasn't that interested because the characters and story fell flat for me. I liked his other novel a little better.

Franky wrote: "This was a little too dark and crass for me. I knew what I was getting into with the content and the world these people are living in, but still it was a little too much and I just wasn't that inte..."Sorry it fell flat for you Franky. For me, Ree Dolly came alive.

I'm with Lisa on this one, Ree was one of a kind. Yes, it was dark, but most of Woodrell's books are.

I saw the movie ages ago and now want to watch it again.
I did the audio and it was excellent. The reader did such a good job. I usually knit while I listen but most of the time I just listened. The premise I feel I’ve read before, but not written like this was.
I think this group is great. I’ve gotten so many want to reads here.

I'm still finding authors I haven't read yet in this group Betty.

Betty wrote: "I saw the movie ages ago and now want to watch it again.
I did the audio and it was excellent. The reader did such a good job. I usually knit while I listen but most of the time I just listened. T..."
I haven't seen the movie - I have such vivid images from reading that I don't know if I want to spoil them...

Lisa I’m so like that when I feel the book is “enough”. The movie could spoil it.

I am in agreement. No one ruins a good book like Hollywood. 🙂

Betty wrote: "I am in agreement. No one ruins a good book like Hollywood. 🙂"
😅

Laura wrote: "Lisa I’m so like that when I feel the book is “enough”. The movie could spoil it."Especially now, when the novel's images are so fresh and potent!

I love Woodrell's ability to put you right into this environment. You can see, touch and smell everything and everyone. What would such an experience do to you? I cannot see anything much ahead for her. She is unlikely to ever escape, because by the time the boys are men, it will be too late for her. Sadly, try as she will, they are likely to be the same kind of men as those around them. It is really the only way to survive in this dog-eat-dog world, which is the only world they will know. I felt sad for Teardrop at the end. Likely this episode will cost him his life, as well.

It had been a long while between Woodrell's for me. I'm glad I managed to sneak this one in.

I struggled with this one a bit - I’m sure partly because we have been in the middle of a move so distracted and keep putting it down and coming back to it. The extreme poverty and so much hopelessness….I’m sure it is a very realistic depiction. Rea is a force. I just had difficulty really getting into the storyline - it’s a short book yet felt long to me. While the storyline didn’t capture me, the author is so skilled at setting the tone, environment, and struggles of the people within. I agree with another post that said Hollywood ruins good books, yet I think the movie might resonate with me more than the book. I may need to find it.

Sara wrote: "I love Woodrell's ability to put you right into this environment. You can see, touch and smell everything and everyone. What would such an experience do to you? I cannot see anything much ahead for..."Sara, true, her chances are slim for escape but the novel did leave me hopeful - she is such a force. I wouldn't last a day in that environment.