On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Welcome to "On the Southern Literary Trail." Please introduce yourself and share a few words about your own introduction to Southern Literature.

Thanks for the invite, Mike. I've been a big fan of Southern Literature since college, where I took a few courses where I read O'Connor, Welty, Alice Walker, and a few others. I really enjoy O'Connor's short stories and always love to come back to them and reread. Anyhow, looking forward to discussing some novels, and maybe finding some new authors to read.

Hi Mike and Franky,
My English professor in college was a huge Flannery O'Connor fan, and got me interested in her. I've also read Mark Twain, William Faulkner and a few others. My current editor/mentor in my own writing is a poet who is now living in Canada but hails from Kentucky.

Thank you for the invite Mike (Mr. Gavin Stevens I might add), this was an excellent idea for a group. Southern Literature was essentially what got me into literature in the first place. I was in my sophomore year of high school reading A Good Man is Hard To Find in our textbook under my desk while we were supposed to be discussing some Dickens, and with the three shots from the Misfit, I decided right then and there I would pursue literature. Faulkner quickly became my favorite author soon after that.

Great group. I look forward to some of the discussions on here. Faulkner was the first author that I loved. I'm looking forward to hearing about more southern writers than just Faulkner, Flannery and Mr. Twain.

Thanks for the invite, Mike. I am a relative newcomer to Southern Literature, but I find that the longer I live in Alabama (23 years now), the more I can relate to it.

Franky and Richard, it's so good to see you here. I'm always open to suggestions for topics and reads. I really hope to make a go of this group. I've been surprised out the amount of interest I've seen here on goodreads regarding Southern Lit.

My introduction came by way of Miss Maxine Lustig. She and her sister operated Lustig's Book Store following the death of their father, Henry. He originally opened the shop in 1919.

Maxine took me under her wing when I was a tot, dragged to the beauty salon at the rear of the building by my grandmother on her day of beauty on Saturday mornings. Up the hall from the salon was a playroom. Then there was Pete's Framing Shop. The motherlode was at the front of the building in the bookshop.

Maxine was the more liberal of the two sisters. Since I was the child of divorced parents, Esther, her sister looked rather askance at me and down her nose. It was definitely a different generation.

Maxine guided my reading through highschool. She introduced me to "To Kill a Mockingbird," and my first Faulkner, in addition to Hemingway, Steinbeck, Fitzgerald and so many more. Miss Maxine taught me to read for fun what I would discover would be required reading for me in college. She was a jewel, that being a great understatement.

Professor O.B. Emerson finished what Miss Maxine began, taking me through Welty, a lot of Faulkner, Robert Penn Warren, and Thomas Wolfe.

From there on, I would peruse the shelves of the campus bookstores grabbing anything by an author born South of the Mason Dixon Line. I did not avoid Northern authors, but I embraced those of the South.

Truman Capote's father, Arch Persons, ran into my grandmother's car. He was a bit of a con man. His contact information was false, the address being a vacant lot. When I became an assistant district attorney, I had the joy of finding the file the District Attorney had put together on the accident. Persons ultimately paid for the damage, but only after being indicted for it. No, I don't believe Truman bailed him out.

Barry Hannah banged out his first stories on a manual typewriter in an apartment across the street from where I lived on Caplewood Drive in Tuscaloosa, before going on to Ole Miss where he established his reputation.

Hudson Strode, the prolific travel author, and author of the multi-volume bio of Jefferson Davis lived up the street in the neighborhood in which I now live. Although he had a sterling reputation as a writer, he was rather insufferable as a human being. His wife's name was Theresa. He insisted on calling her Therese which she despised.

Richard Yates, author of Revolutionary Road, among others spent several years in Tuscaloosa, before being shipped up the road to Birmingham where he died following a lengthy illness. I could be wrong, but I think the bottle got him.

Lee Smith was a reporter for the Tuscaloosa News when her then poet husband James Seay was writer in residence at the University of Alabama. I had the opportunity to meet her when I was a high school student.

In many ways, I feel I grew up with Southern lit. In the many years since, I've had the pleasure of meeting Pat Conroy, William Gay, Tom Franklin, Clyde Edgerton, Howard Bahr, Cynthia Shearer, and others through the acumen of my favorite bookseller, Jake Reiss who seems to magically bring all these authors to Homewood, a suburb of Birmingham, Al.

Tomorrow, I'll be headed to the Alabama Booksmith to see Joshilyn Jackson, one of my favorite contemporary authors who has a comic mean streak a mile wide. Jake Reiss sweet talked her into appearing in Tuscaloosa to read from and sign copies of her last book, "Backseat Saints," which deals with domestic violence. Her appearance benefited our local domestic violence shelter of which I was director at the time. Gracious? You bet. And aging gorgeously, with an infectious laugh loaded with her love of mischief.

I can hardly wait to see her again. She proudly wears glasses. I'd be among the first to say that guys do make passes at girls who wear glasses, especially when worn by a lady as smart, witty, and pretty as Joshilyn. I would run away to Tahiti with her, but I'm afraid her husband, children, and my wife might object.

Well, enough rambling. My former wife, in conclusion, used to ask me why I read all that Southern S..t since nothing ever happened except people sat around and talked. Not to be too facetious, but perhaps that is one of the reasons she is my former wife and not my present one.

P.S. All those meals I thought she cooked and brought me for lunch on the jobsite when we were courting? Her mother cooked them. I WAS the cook after we married. *chuckle*

Hi Mike, and all my fellow Southerners by literary preference. I'm going to my F2F book circle tomorrow to discuss God's Little Acre, one of the South's great books. Erskine Caldwell doesn't get his full due, IMHO, in the academy-driven world of The Canon.

This should be fun! Looking forward to making discoveries and learning new stuff here.

Mike wrote: "Franky and Richard, it's so good to see you here. I'm always open to suggestions for topics and reads. I really hope to make a go of this group. I've been surprised out the amount of interest I'..."

So lucky to discover such great novels at a young age. I feel reading many of your reviews and memories such as this could very well count as great southern lit as well!

s.penkevich wrote: "Thank you for the invite Mike (Mr. Gavin Stevens I might add), this was an excellent idea for a group. Southern Literature was essentially what got me into literature in the first place. I was in m..."

Actually, S., YOU are the source of inspiration for this group. When you suggested that we read Absalom, Absalom!, I thought, "If not now, when? If not here, where?" You know, you could end up being a moderator here. *grin*

Kathy wrote: "Thanks for the invite, Mike. I am a relative newcomer to Southern Literature, but I find that the longer I live in Alabama (23 years now), the more I can relate to it."

Kathy, I'm absolutely thrilled to have you as a part of the group. Hey, Guys! This is one of the gutsiest, smartest women I have the honor of knowing. This is one of my best book and burger buddies. Uhm...hope I didn't make you blush. Much. *ahem*

Richard wrote: "Hi Mike, and all my fellow Southerners by literary preference. I'm going to my F2F book circle tomorrow to discuss God's Little Acre, one of the South's great books. Erskine Caldwell ..."

Richard, So glad you joined us. I wish I could be there for the Caldwell discussion. Professor Emerson had me read "Tobacco Road" AND "God's Little Acre."

Let us know how it goes!

Hello thanks for the invite. This is not a genre that I've ever really considered as, here in the UK, when we study literature, we don't get taught or introduced to many of these authors in a way that makes it clear what their geographical origins and environment are like, nor is there much discussion over how this influences or shapes their writing. Looking at the posts above I realise that I have read works by quite a few authors which fall into this category however, with Twain and Walker among them. I also see mention of authors who I have not yet had my first date with and should address that issue pronto! I look forward to learning more from you all.

Hi Mike! Thanks for the invite.
What an exciting group this promises to be! Mike, you have SUCH a way with words, I doubt you'll even need a cattle prod to keep these folks in line.

The first Southern writer I recall reading was Eudora Welty. One college writing class assignment was to read a short story, then copy the style of the writer. I chose "Why I Live at the P.O." Can't remember the piece of drivel I wrote based on the story, but I never will forget Papa-Daddy, Uncle Rondo and Stella Rondo!

I am SO looking forward to leaning back in my computer chair, iced tea and some pralines by my side, reading all of your delightful comments. (Alright - let's make it a mint julep! We're all adults here!)

And Mike, take it from this bespectacled gal - you won my heart forever with your comments about "girls who wear glasses".

Hello! I´m Marlene.
I´m pretty new to this genre, though I might have read some southern books without knowing what they were. I have currently bought three southern classics (some of them being suggestions from Mike), I thought I´d be right here. As I want to widen my reading horizon, this group is exactly what I´ve been looking for, so thank you very much for inviting me!
Sorry that I can´t tell any childhood-stories, but I think I´m one of the youngest members. I also profit from the "girls who wear glasses" comment.

Shovelmonkey1 wrote: "Hello thanks for the invite. This is not a genre that I've ever really considered as, here in the UK, when we study literature, we don't get taught or introduced to many of these authors in a way t..."

Good morning, Shovelmonkey1. It's a pleasure to see you here. The Achievement of William Faulkner by one of your countrymen, Michael Millgate, is one of the great works of Faulkner analysis and criticism. Get thee hence, and find a copy if you can. I recommend it highly.

Stephen M wrote: "Great group. I look forward to some of the discussions on here. Faulkner was the first author that I loved. I'm looking forward to hearing about more southern writers than just Faulkner, Flannery a..."

Stephen, we're sure to discover a chorus of voices off the beaten path here. The number of authors of southern origin and their works is astounding. In Southern Lit, there is something for everyone. Thanks so much for being here.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for forming this group. My first bumper sticker on my first car when I was 18 was "American by birth, Southern by the grace of God." I re-read "To Kill a Mockingbird" every couple of years. Pat Conroy, Lee Smith, Mark Childress are all favorites of mine. Celia Rivenbark is always good when you need to be reminded of down-to-earth, funny common sense. Can't wait to see how this group evolves!

Melki wrote: "Hi Mike! Thanks for the invite.
What an exciting group this promises to be! Mike, you have SUCH a way with words...And Mike, take it from this bespectacled gal - you won my heart forever with your comments about "girls who wear glasses".

Melki, I'm so happy you joined. Now, Scarlett, just call me Rhett. GRIN I'll meet you in the library at Twelve Oaks. Wear your glasses.

Marlene wrote: "Hello! I´m Marlene.
I´m pretty new to this genre, though I might have read some southern books without knowing what they were. I have currently bought three southern classics (some of them being su..."

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce Marlene, whom I have dubbed Scout. If you've not met her, she will amaze you with her astute observations as she has me. And, while I'm not attempting to make a young woman blush, know that she is from Germany and with the aid of goodreads, improves her English language skills. Yes, I have adopted her as one of my honorary children.

Well Sir Michael insists he will turn me into a Faulkner fan. I've seen reference to the fact that Faulkner's drink of choice was moonshine. Since my sources for moonshine have dried up I will make do with bourbon to prepare myself for Faulkner. I am half Yankee the other half Rebel, but I did marry a Southern Belle (smartest thing I ever did). I've read Southern writing and enjoyed it and want to read more. Thank you kindly for the invite Mr. Finch.

Mike wrote: "Shovelmonkey1 wrote: "Hello thanks for the invite. This is not a genre that I've ever really considered as, here in the UK, when we study literature, we don't get taught or introduced to many of th..."

I'll put it on my to-buy-when-have-cleared-at-least-one-bookshelf list! Thanks.

Lewis Nordan wrote some amazing books in the 90s. Wolf Whistle was one. Such a terrific story, Emmett Till's whistle is still echoing. Lightning Song and Music of the Swamp are amazing too.

This is gonna be a blast.

Okay, I'm in. I love John Kennedy Toole, Conroy, McCarthy, Faulkner (although I tend to prefer the minor novels to the big four). Have read a bunch of others. But not Margaret Mitchell.

Is there a bookshelf yet?

Everitt wrote: "Mike, thanks for the invite. I had been looking for a group on Southern Lit for a while. I was in one but there was next to no activity so this will be a new opportunity to read in one of my favori..."

Everitt, so happy you could join us. I believe I explored the same group you mentioned. Too many hooped skirts. Too many parasols. Here, we will examine real issues raised in the genre.

Mike wrote: "Actually, S., YOU...'

Glad I could be of some inspiration to someone! I'm looking forward to Absalom, it has been so long since I've read it yet I still think it is my undisputed favorite novel alongside Dostoevsky's C&P.

Hello to everyone else as well, I'm looking forward to getting to know you all!

Richard wrote: "Lewis Nordan wrote some amazing books in the 90s. Wolf Whistle was one. Such a terrific story, Emmett Till's whistle is still echoing. Lightning Song an..."

Wolf Whistle is an indispensable read. And, don't forget the Algonquin Press editions of Sugar Among the Freaks and The Sharpshooter Blues. Yes, this is going to be a blast.

Daniel wrote: "Okay, I'm in. I love John Kennedy Toole, Conroy, McCarthy, Faulkner (although I tend to prefer the minor novels to the big four). Have read a bunch of others. But not Margaret Mitchell.

Is ther..." Daniel, very glad to have you here. As I just started the group last night. I'm in the early stages of creation. I have begun our bookshelf with The Mind of the South by W.J. Cash. Please be patient with me as I work to get us up and running. I gotta go give Joshilyn Jackson a hug this afternoon!

Jeffrey wrote: "Well Sir Michael insists he will turn me into a Faulkner fan. I've seen reference to the fact that Faulkner's drink of choice was moonshine. Since my sources for moonshine have dried up I will mak..."

Welcome Jeff. When you and the wife swing through on that Southern swath of a journey, the Single Barrel Jack Daniels will be served on the Hemingway Lounge. I took a look at the English firsts of Faulkner. You know how to make an Alabama boy cry. I'm still whimpering. I'm violating my own "No Whining" rule. Shame. Big SHAME. I'm so happy to have you here.

Thanks for the invitation, Mike. Don't tell the others I'm a yankee.

Tony wrote: "Thanks for the invitation, Mike. Don't tell the others I'm a yankee."

It's alright, shhhhh.... me too...

YANKEES?! Ew! Let's at least call y'all Copperheads!

Hey guys. I've been thinking of reading all of those Faulkners my mom has urged me to read for all of my life. I love McCullers, Capote, O'Connor.

I'm definitely not a Yankee. :)

Mike wrote: "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce Marlene, whom I have dubbed Scout. If you've not met her, she will amaze you with her astute observations as she has me. And, while I'm not attempting to make a young woman blush, know that she is from Germany and with ... "

You did make me blush and I´m honored to receive the praise.
This really sounds like an interesting group of people; I´m already looking forward to the book discussions!

Mariel wrote: "Hey guys. I've been thinking of reading all of those Faulkners my mom has urged me to read for all of my life. I love McCullers, Capote, O'Connor.

I'm definitely not a Yankee. :)"

Be glad, nothing but snow and sorrow up here in Michigan :)
You should get on some Faulkner, join us in Absalom, Absalom soon?

And Marlene, that is very impressive to utilize GR to brush up on english. Bravo.

Mike wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Thanks for the invite, Mike. I am a relative newcomer to Southern Literature, but I find that the longer I live in Alabama (23 years now), the more I can relate to it."

Kathy, I'm a..."

Aww, thanks, Mikey boy.

I don´t have any other options, as I can´t visit an english speaking country. Chatting with people comes as close to speaking with them as I can be - and when the people I talk to are as nice as the bookworms from Goodreads, that´s always a plus.

Richard wrote: "Lewis Nordan wrote some amazing books in the 90s. Wolf Whistle was one. Such a terrific story, Emmett Till's whistle is still echoing. Lightning Song an..."

I had Lewis "Buddy" Nordan for a World Lit. class at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in the 80's and he turned out to be one of my favorite, cool professors with his constant smoker's cough and southern wit.

Welcome to the Arrow Catcher Fair and The All Girls Football Team are two wonderful story collections!

Mike wrote: "Hey, y'all. Another day, another Yankee. Looking forward to (almost) wherever this group leads. I'd belonged to another Souther Lit group, but it seems to be fairly inactive. Hopefully, this group ..."

Afternoon Mike, I promise not to turn this into Derby Day. No Juleps, no jodphurs required. Will be putting up a topic to discuss group reads for April shortly.

Randy wrote: "Richard wrote: "Lewis Nordan wrote some amazing books in the 90s. Wolf Whistle was one. Such a terrific story, Emmett Till's whistle is still echoing. Lightning ..."</i>

I am so envious of your having had Nordan for a professor. What a trip. [book:Wolf Whistleis my favorite Nordan.

Mariel wrote: "Hey guys. I've been thinking of reading all of those Faulkners my mom has urged me to read for all of my life. I love McCullers, Capote, O'Connor.

I'm definitely not a Yankee. :)"

I had to chuckle over this one. A few years ago, I had a young lady ranger help me tour Gettysburg. "Where are you from," she asked. "Alabama."

"Thank God. If I had to take another person from Maine up to Little Roundtop today, I'd have had to take off sick."

"Where are you from?"

"Florida."

"Florida?"

"Yes. And I am NOT descended from Snow Birds."

We had a lovely day.

Having said that, the "recent unpleasantness" is far behind us. This is a group open to everyone, whether from North, South, East, or West. While it may be called Southern, the literature of the genre is filled with themes applicable to us all.

Tony wrote: "Thanks for the invitation, Mike. Don't tell the others I'm a yankee."

Yankees welcomed! Heck, I thought all y'all had already retired to Oxford, anyway. Still expecting you on the Hemingway Lounge.

Kathy wrote: "Mike wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Thanks for the invite, Mike. I am a relative newcomer to Southern Literature, but I find that the longer I live in Alabama (23 years now), the more I can relate to it."
..."

You're most welcome, Book Babe. GRIN

In the South, we tend to refer to it (when in polite company, aka yankees) as "The Waugh of Nawthe'n Aggression" and call it good.

Never to forgive, never to forget. Congressional Reconstruction was NOT a good idea.

I'm Elizabeth and I'm 23. I'm from Louisville, Kentucky. I discovered southern literature at a young age when I first read Mark Twain. Honestly, I'm not much of a Twain fan. Beyond thought, my next real introduction came at the age of 11 or 12 when I discovered an anthology of southern gothic tales as well as my favorite poetry book, The Spoonriver Anthology. I also enjoy Flannery O'Connor's work, especially A Good Man is Hard to Find which I read in college. I wasn't too terribly impressed with Wise Blood, however. In addition, there are many others that I like as well whose names escape me at the moment.

Elizabeth wrote: "I'm Elizabeth and I'm 23. I'm from Louisville, Kentucky. I discovered southern literature at a young age when I first read Mark Twain. Honestly, I'm not much of a Twain fan. Beyond thought, my next..."

Welcome, Elizabeth-- I'm so very glad to have you join us. It is interesting you should mention A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories. Although my wife was raised in Texas and had wonderful teachers, her literary teachers had concentrated on Modernists other than Faulkner or O'Connor, whom I really do not consider a Modernist. So, early in our marriage she wanted me to fill her in on what she had missed.

We were sitting in the courtyard of our little college just off campus. The fountain was bubbling. The birds were singing. And I read to her, dramatized for her, "A Good Man is Hard to Find." She began laughing as I performed. She became involved in the words. As the impending violence became evident, she began to shudder. By the shattering end, she told me I had forever destroyed O'Connor for her and never, ever wanted to hear another O'Connor story. She also proclaimed that I was an evil man. Evil, Evil, Evil. *chuckle*

Since that first reading, Martha Jo has had me perform the story on multiple occasions for various groups of people. Even those who have heard the story before are always entranced by the words of the master story teller that O'Connor was.

Again, WELCOME!

Mike, please, please take that dramatization on tour, and please be my next Lit. professor ha.

s.penkevich wrote: "Mike, please, please take that dramatization on tour, and please be my next Lit. professor ha."

S., I have to say it's damned fine. It will raise the hair on the back of your neck and arms. My "Misfit" would scare you the death. My June Star and Wesley make you want them shot. The mother, the father, well...they're just kind of there. They are the window dressing. However, my best is probably the grandmother. Yes, she should have had someone shoot her every minute of her life. God, I love doing it.

Mike wrote: "s.penkevich wrote: "Mike, please, please take that dramatization on tour, and please be my next Lit. professor ha."

S., I have to say it's damned fine. It will raise the hair on the back of your ..."

Haha awesome. Perhaps the Misfit should be your next halloween costume? And June Star and Wesley, thank you for having them shot!

s.penkevich wrote: "Mike wrote: "s.penkevich wrote: "Mike, please, please take that dramatization on tour, and please be my next Lit. professor ha."

S., I have to say it's damned fine. It will raise the hair on the ..."
Ahhh, the joys of traveling with children. "HE'S LOOKING AT ME!" Father: "WELL, LOOK AT HIM BACK!"
Mother: "Henry, you're just agging them on."
Father: "They agged my last nerve. Who the Hell decided to take this trip?"
Grandmother: "Now, children, when I was your age I made sure YOUR father had things to occupy him in the car. I don't know WHY he doesn't remember that."
Father: "MA, if you don't hush, I'm dropping you at the next rest stop."
Children: WHEN ARE WE GONNA GET THERE? HOW LONG IS THAT? I GOTTA PEE! HE'S LOOKING AT ME AGAIN!
Father: I don't know why I try.
Mother: Try what?
Father: And you'll be at that rest stop with Ma, you keep that up.
Grandmother: That's a nice looking young man up there needing a ride. Why don't you pull over Henry? It'd be the Christian thing to do?
Father: Why the Hell not? Things couldn't get any worse.

Narrator: Well, that's not necessarily true.