On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Hey guys! I'm so pleased to see a book club centered around the great literature of the the South. I'm a Georgia girl myself and I look forward to reading and getting to know regional books.

Best wishes for good reads!

Kim

I'm busy working up the Moviegoer this evening. . . it's one of my favorites, and Percy will always be tied with my beloved Flannery in my mind. I'm hoping people will pick up a copy, it's widely available at used book stores, and on line, and is worth the buy. I promise. I am awaiting surgery, so all I'm doing is reading, sleeping, and why not pitch myself into some i know and love? Hope y'all feel the same way!

Mike wrote: "Beverly wrote: "I read from many different genres but have just recently developed an interest in Southern Literature. I think I must be homesick. I was born and raised in the South but have not ..."

Thank you for the welcome. Where should we post a question about a book that the group has finished reading? Is it appropriate to put it in the discussion of that book since the group has completed it? I am trying to catch up since I only joined in Sept.

Beverly, That would be very appropriate. It will pop up as a new post in the discussion thread.

Mike

Hi, I'm Tonya from Richmond, VA. Been a fan of southern lit since college after reading Lee Smith... many moons ago. Can't believe I just finally begun to tackle Faulkner. What in the world have I been doing?! I am so in love with his lyrical way of shaping a page. Currently reading O'Connor's Everything That Rises Must Converge. Absalom! Absalom! is up next. Glad to see this group for recommendations, new and classic.

I'm not a native Southerner :-( but have lived in North Carolina for most of the past 17 years. It's time to dig further into our wonderful region's wonderful literature. Look forward to input and education from the group!

Welcome to Tonya, Beverly, and Anne!

I am MaryZorro from Texas.

Hello all, I have already introduced myself in some other threads but thought it would be good to formally introduce what brings me to this group; I think there are two aspects of Southern Literature that strongly appeal to me: one is the rural story, populated by people with a strong connection to place, to each other, to sharing space and time with each other over long periods and building a cohesive community. I have found this in non-Southern favorites as well, being introduced to the Salinas Valley by Steinbeck and John Irving's works in New England. There is something in myself that wants this in my real life, and in moving around and uprooting myself from my Florida home since high school, I have been repeatedly connected to neighborhoods and places that feel "lived-in" and with strong cultural histories. The part of Florida where I am from isn't particularly "southern"; it's coastal South Florida, populated by retirees and rich northern transplants, victim of sprawling monotonous subdivisions, strip malls, and beach hotels. But in the space between I managed to find the "real" spaces, the quiet of a cypress dome, the sweet juice of a navel orange, the calm of a canoe ride down a river or over a natural spring. Those are what I think of when I think of home. And I think of the experience of knowing a place only the way you can when you were a child in it.

The other persistent theme that grabs me is the confrontation with the ugly; Southern literature has to do this when it is being honest, I think, because it is so obvious that on the other side of town from where the old ladies are gossiping over sweet tea, racism and poverty are festering. Being able to grapple with these Shakespearean or biblical-scale questions of good and evil makes the books even more compelling, and they seem more honestly and true-ly human. Dealing with our full natures.

So I am here to have some company while reading these kinds of books, which occupy and fill a region deep in my heart and help to explain to me who I am, where I come from, and where I'm going. I expect it will also help me become exposed to a broader variety than I would on my own.

Welcome, Sarah. I can tell by your introduction that you'll be a valuable contributor to this group.

Sarah wrote: "Hello all, I have already introduced myself in some other threads but thought it would be good to formally introduce what brings me to this group; I think there are two aspects of Southern Literatu..."

Sarah, please accept my apology for the late date of my welcome. I've been on the road for some time, visiting sites on the Southern Literary Trail and my my wife's family in NC. I hope you will find much of interest to you here. As Diane said, I believe you have much to contribute.

I am Connie, and I currently live in northern Mississippi close to Faulkner's home, Rowan Oak. I lived in Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina when I was growing up. I love Texas and miss it! : ) However, Mississippi is a beautiful state with a wealth of writers and artists.

Some of my favorite Southern writers are Faulkner, Welty, Shelby Foote, Truman Capote, Harper Lee, O'Connor, Tennessee Williams, and Walker Percy.

This looks like an interesting group, and I am excited about reading and discussing Southern literature together.

Connie, Welcome to the group. Oxford, Ms. is one of my favorite destinations. I'm envious that you can pop into Square Books any time you want. With your list of favorites, I'm sure you'll find much to enjoy here. We're happy to have you here. I hope you'll jump into discussions that interest you. I was fortunate to marry a Texas lady. I've never found a spot of Texas I didn't love.

Mike
"Lawyer Stevens"

Thank you for the warm Southern welcome! ; ) I am really looking forward to being a member of the group and reading with you. I can already tell that you are a close-knit group.

Hello everyone: I recently discovered Goodreads and it's been a whirlwind so far. A fun whirlwind. So much to do and read. I'm currently reading Ford County by John Grisham, a collection of short stories. The first one is a real hoot. I'm a Georgia boy but live in Cocoa Beach, FL, now, and reading is a big part of my routine. Look forward to chatting with "y'all."

Chelsea wrote: "Hi Mike, Welcome to the Trail. We're always glad to have a new member. We've read some excellent books and had some great discussions. Make yourself at home and have a look around.

Chelsea,
One of..."

Thank you, Chelsea. You're kind to greet me. I'm on a break from work right now and have to get back to it for another couple of hours, at which time I'll come back to "the Trail." thanks again and have a wonderful afternoon.

A question for the group, if I, as a new member, might be so bold: Is Cormac McCarthy considered a Southern writer. I've heard him mentioned as such but none of the 6 or 7 books I've read have anything to do with the south. Did I answer my own question :-) ?

Mike wrote: "Hello everyone: I recently discovered Goodreads and it's been a whirlwind so far. A fun whirlwind. So much to do and read. I'm currently reading Ford County by John Grisham, a collection of short s..."

Mike, Welcome to the group. We're happy to have you join us. I hope you find much to enjoy here. Cormac McCarthy is a great topic to raise. We've had a lot of talk about him in previous months. I saw Everitt mentioned Suttree, which was one of our group reads. I think of McCarthy as having written a Southern Quartet: The Orchard Keeper, Outer Dark, Child of God, and finally Suttree. By the time "Suttree" had been submitted for publication, McCarthy had already moved to El Paso. I sure understand your saying the books you've read didn't seem Southern to you, if they didn't include the titles above. Whatever he writes, though, I enjoy him. Be sure to drop by the polls and vote for our January, 2013, group reads. We have some fine nominations.

Mike
"Lawyer Stevens"

Everitt wrote: "Mike, that is a wonderful question that has been discussed in several places in the forums. I dont have the thread pinks handy rifht now, but if you search through there aer spme deep philosophical..."

Suttree is one I haven't read. I began with Blood Meridian then the trilogy, followed by No Country 4 Old Men and then the Road. I'm rather curious in regards to his approach to and characterization of the morbid/evil. I think in The Road that he perhaps moved even farther into that area because the entire mood of the book was morbid or seemed that way to me. Authors who can develop and relay the evil essence of a character in a way that transcends mere violence interest me, so I'm curious as to McCarthy's reason, if any,to write in that area so much.

Mike wrote: "Everitt wrote: "Mike, that is a wonderful question that has been discussed in several places in the forums. I dont have the thread pinks handy rifht now, but if you search through there aer spme de..."

An interesting area to examine. With the exception of Suttree, you will find a great degree of violence in his earlier "Southern" works. I think Outer Darkwould blow your mind. You might find the following article interesting. "The Venomous Fiction of Cormac McCarthy," http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/05/17...

Mike

Mike wrote: "Mike wrote: "Everitt wrote: "Mike, that is a wonderful question that has been discussed in several places in the forums. I dont have the thread pinks handy rifht now, but if you search through ther..."

Thanks for the link and title suggestion, Mike. I'll put it on my to read list, after I read the treatise from NYT. :-)

Mike wrote: "Mike wrote: "Mike wrote: "Everitt wrote: "Mike, that is a wonderful question that has been discussed in several places in the forums. I dont have the thread pinks handy rifht now, but if you search..."

You're welcome!

Mike

Hello, all. Happy to be here. I'm a native Kentuckian and have been a fan of Southern literature pretty much my whole adult life, but especially since I moved to Memphis going-on 25 years ago. Faulkner's my favorite. I love O'Connor, Welty, Lewis Nordan, William Gay, Larry Brown, Charles Portis, Padgett Powell, Ed McClanahan (from my home area in Kentucky), and so many, many others. I believe Cormac McCarthy's best work was set in East Tennessee, especially "Suttree." Looking forward to the discussion here.

Hi everyone! I graduated with an English degree in May 2012, and one of my favorite courses was Literature of the American South. Now I work for the solar industry in California and I hang out with engineers all day. This group should be a welcome break from the technical writing and editing! While not novelists, I very much enjoy Walt Whitman (primarily his Civil War poetry), Flannery O'Connor, and Tennessee Williams.

Good morning David and Lisa,

We're happy to have you join us. I hope you find much to your liking here. As Everitt said, I also invite you to join in the discussions. Our group reads are set for January. Watch for the poll going up this morning which will determine our group reads for February through April, 2013.

Mike
"Lawyer Stevens"

Welcome David and Lisa: Lisa, Interesting that you mention working with engineers in the way that the general conception is that their brains function more in the logic side (left, right, I forget which is which) but I live in Cocoa Beach, FL, surrounded by engineers and there are many writers among them. Dang good ones too. Upon thinking about it, engineers would have to be creative to do what they do--some of them anyway. Don't misunderstand me. I know you weren't criticizing them. Just hand that on my mind.

Mike, thank you for recommending Outer Dark. I began reading it yesterday. "Dark" is right. haha. c McC sure has a way with words huh? And one doesn't know that dialect by reading about it. I suppose since he lived there in the 50's he was around some mountain folk. Have a great day all.
Mike Addington

Mike wrote: "Welcome David and Lisa: Lisa, Interesting that you mention working with engineers in the way that the general conception is that their brains function more in the logic side (left, right, I forget ..."

Mike, You're most welcome for the rec. I'll be interested in your impressions when you're done.

Mike S.

You got it, bud. Have a great day and Happy New Year.

Mike A

Mike A.- No offense taken whatsoever! My comment was directed at my own experience leaving my English degree experience and entering the world of engineering; it was not a comment about engineers. Now instead of writing literary critiques and analyses, I write technical reports and edit all day. It's a huge change and I love it! The love of my life is an engineer and I dare say that he is more creative than I! Thanks for your comment and happy reading!
I will have to do my research before I vote for my January-April choices!

Hello, I'm Leslie, prairie born, southern by marriage (Southern boys don't like to get too far away from their mamas)fledgling writer and omnivorous reader. At the advanced age of 53, I'm polishing off the last classes for my English (of course!) degree from 'Bama while I work full-time and semi-look after a husband, house, four cats and a bunch of free-loading raccoons in my spare minutes. I began a love affair with Southern Lit per se when we were stationed in Mississippi and I learned public TV could feature more than math and science. The South has experienced a lot of change since then, bad and good, and I'm still a stranger in a strange land but the roots and bones of it are good and the land is worth holding fast to. It's my home.

As for favorites, my library is stacked to the ceiling. I re-read To Kill a Mockingbird whenever I felt homesick for Kansas (odd, I know, but I was raised in a small town). I keep up with anything Rick Bragg or Pat Conroy publishes and I don't neglect Anne Rivers Siddons and I thank God for Florence King. But I love the Southern Goth writers and Carson McCullers broke my heart in Ballad of the Sad Cafe. I suppose I identify most with Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and her words about the home she came to know instead of the one who already knew her. I don't really include Texas in Southern Lit but I remain a life-long Larry McMurtry fan. Basically, I live for complex characters and a strong narrative voice. Nice to meet y'all!

Dilley wrote: "Hello, I'm Leslie, prairie born, southern by marriage (Southern boys don't like to get too far away from their mamas)fledgling writer and omnivorous reader. At the advanced age of 53, I'm polishing..."

Good morning, Dilley, and welcome to the group. It's a pleasure to have you join us. And, if you're finishing up your degree at Bama, it's nice to have another member from Tuscaloosa. Howdy, neighbor. Your favorites are music to my ears--especially your reaction to Carson McCullers. I'm so glad you dropped by to say, "Hello."

Mike
"Lawyer Stevens"
T-Town

Welcome, Dilley. Your favorites are my favorites too. I love Marjorie Kenan Rawlings for the same reason you do. If you ever get to the Ocala area, her home there is a real treat. The female tour guides wear her dresses for the tours. And I don't think it strange that "To Kill a Mockingbird" reminds you of home, it's a pretty universal book as an evocation of childhood.
You will love this group, there are some great readers here who love to discuss our chosen books and give wonderful points to ponder.

Hi, all. I'm Karen, a professor of American lit, with a specialization in Southern lit. I'm so glad to find such a large group here. My students are not such enthusiasts! Faulkner is my man, but I also love O'Connor and am willing to read almost anything from the south. I'm a transplanted southerner myself and very interested to get recommendations for down home readings.

Karen wrote: "Hi, all. I'm Karen, a professor of American lit, with a specialization in Southern lit. I'm so glad to find such a large group here. My students are not such enthusiasts! Faulkner is my man, bu..."

Karen, it's a pleasure to welcome you to the group. I do hope you'll join in the discussions, for I think you'll have much to contribute. You'll find our January reads posted on the home page. I've just put up our reads for February through April. I hope you find much to your liking here.

Mike
"Lawyer Stevens"

Karen wrote: "Hi, all. I'm Karen, a professor of American lit, with a specialization in Southern lit. I'm so glad to find such a large group here. My students are not such enthusiasts! Faulkner is my man, bu..."

Welcome, Karen!

I noticed that your if-somebody-put-a-gun-to-my-head-and-demanded-to-know-my-favorite-book book is Absalom, Absalom! Well, we've just started reading Peter Matthiessen's (so far) great and Faulkneresque book Shadow Country, which I've compared to Absalom. I'd appreciate any inside info you've got on Absalom over in the Shadow Country thread.

I've just joined this group and want to say hello. I live in the South and love Southern literature. I'm looking forward to discussing and discovering novels here.

Scout wrote: "I've just joined this group and want to say hello. I live in the South and love Southern literature. I'm looking forward to discussing and discovering novels here."

Welcome, Scout. It's good to have you with us. We have some fine reads coming up. Feel free to jump in on any discussion. We all know you've been reading from an early age having made that compromise with Atticus. *grin*

Mike
"Lawyer Stevens"

Hello fellow readers,

My name is Jason. I love southern lit, I live in South Carolina, near Columbia. My first taste of this world came whenever I discoverd Mr. William Gay. Oh, man have I been hooked ever since. Mr. Gay is still my fav, but I love many others: Cormac McCarthy, Ron Rash, William Faulkner, etc.. Just wanted to say hello, and I look forward to participating in this group. :)

Jason wrote: "Hello fellow readers,

My name is Jason. I love southern lit, I live in South Carolina, near Columbia. My first taste of this world came whenever I discoverd Mr. William Gay. Oh, man have I been ho..."

Jason,
Welcome to the group. You've come to the right place, considering the authors you've named. I look forward to your participation in the group. I hope you'll be able to join us for discussing our current group reads. Jump right in.

Mike
"Lawyer Stevens"

Jason wrote: "Hello fellow readers,

My name is Jason. I love southern lit, I live in South Carolina, near Columbia. My first taste of this world came whenever I discoverd Mr. William Gay. Oh, man have I been ho..."

Hi Jason! What book by William Gay would you recommend for someone who has never read him?

Welcome Jason and hello Mike. Just finished "Outer Dark" and wondered whether you wanted me to post my comments here or at another thread?

Mike A

Richard wrote: "Jason wrote: "Hello fellow readers,

My name is Jason. I love southern lit, I live in South Carolina, near Columbia. My first taste of this world came whenever I discoverd Mr. William Gay. Oh, man ..."

Hi Richard,

I would start out reading his short story collection "I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down" It is one of the best, if not THE best southern lit book that I have ever read. My fav stories in that collection are: My hand is just fine where it is, Sugarbaby, Those deep elm brown's ferry blues, The paperhanger, A death in the woods, and the title story I hate to see that evening sun go down.
His stories are dark and real, and will stay with you for a long, long time. After you read that one, you don't have to go in order with his other books, but i'm sure you will want to read them all after you read that first one.

Jason

Mike wrote: "Welcome Jason and hello Mike. Just finished "Outer Dark" and wondered whether you wanted me to post my comments here or at another thread?

Mike A"

Mike A, Glad to hear you read Outer Dark. Go to the topic: What Are You Reading: A Place for reviews and recommendations. I'll look forward to reading your reactions to the book!

Mike S.

I wrote da-- an essay on Outer Dark on the topic above but when I return to that page, I don't see my comment; hope 2 and others can see it 'cause it took half hour 2 write.

Ciao, mike addington

Good evening Those of You on the Southern Trail. We have a cold and clear night here in north central Arizona. I've been popping in and out of the room for the last few weeks and would consider it a priveledge if I could join your group. Because of your reading list I have dived, diven, dove or just plane got my feet wet with Shadow Country and am enjoying it.

I just entered my 60th year and have found that my reading has drifted this way In my teens I picked "The Sound and the Fury" and "As I Lay Dying" off the playroom shelf. My first exposure to Faulkner. I didn't understand much, nor do I still, but I got through them without quitting.

Perhaps you might take a look as I have put together a few Faulkner quizzes. Anyway, how I do tend to ramble. Am looking forward to following the site with pleasure.

Best Regards, John

John wrote: "Good evening Those of You on the Southern Trail. We have a cold and clear night here in north central Arizona. I've been popping in and out of the room for the last few weeks and would consider ..."

Welcome to the group, John. We're happy to have you join us. We have some great reads ongoing and set for the next three months. I hope you find much to your liking and I invite you to jump into any discussion when you wish. You'll find Faulkner a staple on "The Trail."

Mike
"Lawyer Stevens"

I came by way of the club via member Jeff Keaton's review of 'Bastard Out of Carolina', which I'm reading now. Though I've read Faulkner, Pat Conroy and sampled others like Flannery O'Connor, have to say that a lot of what I feel or understand about the Southern culture today comes from film...probably not always a good thing. Rightly or wrongly, I think of Southern literature as having strong characters, equally strong storylines and a sense of place communicated on every page. I won't get into being another Yankee coming South to retire, just ask humbly for your indulgence.

Kudos to you, FrankH! Many Yankees who move South to retire don't make the effort. (I say this as someone who has lived in both the South and the North.) Southern literature is for everyone! And what better way to learn about your new home. Good luck to you.

Welcome Frank: I hope you enjoy your retirement and stay active. I moved south myself; from Georgia to Florida hahaha. I think of Florida as more East Coast than south but it does depend on where in the state one lives. Semantics anyway. I do miss the good ole home cooking. Can't find a whiff of okra anywhere :-)

Mike Addington

FrankH wrote: "I came by way of the club via member Jeff Keaton's review of 'Bastard Out of Carolina', which I'm reading now. Though I've read Faulkner, Pat Conroy and sampled others like Flannery O'Connor, have ..."

I know what you mean about learning of a culture from film (or books) but if you get the chance, go to the places talked about if you can. I read GWTW several times (my mom's favorite novel) before we went to Stone Mountain and even with the distance of years I realized the difference between reading about life here and feeling it. Sitting there in the twilight surrounded by the scents of spring, I realized how people come to be rooted in the land here and what makes this place so special. I'll never be a Southerner but I began to appreciate the condition.

My name is Elizabeth and I'm 24 years old. I live in Kentucky (Louisville, to be precise). I have a BA in psychology and did two minors in English with a concentration in literature and Medieval Studies. I studied French for 5 years and have experience with Japanese, German, and Latin. One of my dreams is to translate Medieval Latin and French manuscripts. The other is to eventually become an archaeologist.

Currently, I work with toddlers as a teacher in a daycare. It's not exactly my dream job, or the best use of my degree, but it works for now. I am going back to school in August to work towards a degree in education so that I can become a third grade teacher. I also plan on doing another major in either microbiology or anthropology. I do enjoy some aspects of my job such as being able to teach my children and the joy that I receive when they finally catch on to what I've taught them. I also enjoy the smiles, hugs, and kisses that I get from my kids when I come to work in the mornings.

I am an avid reader and have been since I was a child. I generally read anything except westerns, romance, and inspirational/Christian books. I quite enjoy horror, fantasy, historical fiction, and mysteries. I have also gotten into the Quirk classics recently. Right now, I am reading Android Karenina. Classic literature is another favorite of mine with Edgar Allan Poe, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, HP Lovecraft, Victor Hugo, and Gaston LeRoux being among my favorites.

I look forward to making new friends and taking part in book discussions.

-Elizabeth