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The Camellia Thief & Other Tales: Savannah Sideways Vol. 2: Spilling the tea and spreading the jam in the South's most interesting city
A new collection of essays from award-winning columnist, adopted Southerner, and camellia thief Jessica Leigh Lebos. Picking up several years where the first Savannah Sideways book left off, this intrepid storyteller explores post-pandemic life in a small city that might be getting too big for its britches.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2023
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April 24, 2023
An Impressive Bouquet of Savannah-grown Stories
Jessica Leigh Lebos’ singular style of literary journalism in THE CAMELLIA THIEF & OTHER TALES (Savannah Sideways Vol. 2) provides a straight-up-no-chaser kind of reading experience. That particular intoxicating quality may be attributed to the unapologetic passion she holds for her subject(s), a devotion to self-styled journalistic craftsmanship, and a healthy penchant for sometimes poking as much fun at herself as she might be inclined to poke at anyone, or anything, else.
She is frequently humorous, as when detailing “The Camellia Thief Code of Conduct ,” or reporting on “The Joys & Juxtapositions of Being a Tourist in Your Own Town.” At other times she is more intimately serious and broodily philosophical, as in “The Unknown Potential of Life, Death, Sex, and Flowers.” With the city of Savannah as her ever-intriguing central setting, there are stories enough on the political, social, and institutional conundrums requiring city residents (natives and newcomers alike) to adapt to rapidly-changing 21st-century conditions. And, just like throughout the rest of America: squealing protests against them.
Especially notable in The Camellia Thief & Other Tales for this reader are pages containing interviews with, or short profiles of, such local influencers as: “Sistah Patt Gunn,” Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions, author Miriam K. Center, eco-artist Lisa D. Watson, and the recently-departed beloved writer Jane Fishman.
Since her days as a columnist for CONNECT SAVANNAH, I’ve been a great admirer of the uncommon clarity Leigh Lebos brings to her takes on the city’s evolving cultural and demographic landscape. When able to read her elsewhere (as in this excellent timely volume), I have found myself alternately arguing against her persuasive passion, nodding with enthusiastic agreement, or joining in on the laughs she at times shares so generously. One thing I have never been when reading her is uninterested.
The Camellia Thief & Other Tales is a book I’m glad I gave my full attention and recommend anyone in search of an equally informative and entertaining read do the same.
Aberjhani
Author of These Black and Blue Red Zone Days
And Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah
Jessica Leigh Lebos’ singular style of literary journalism in THE CAMELLIA THIEF & OTHER TALES (Savannah Sideways Vol. 2) provides a straight-up-no-chaser kind of reading experience. That particular intoxicating quality may be attributed to the unapologetic passion she holds for her subject(s), a devotion to self-styled journalistic craftsmanship, and a healthy penchant for sometimes poking as much fun at herself as she might be inclined to poke at anyone, or anything, else.
She is frequently humorous, as when detailing “The Camellia Thief Code of Conduct ,” or reporting on “The Joys & Juxtapositions of Being a Tourist in Your Own Town.” At other times she is more intimately serious and broodily philosophical, as in “The Unknown Potential of Life, Death, Sex, and Flowers.” With the city of Savannah as her ever-intriguing central setting, there are stories enough on the political, social, and institutional conundrums requiring city residents (natives and newcomers alike) to adapt to rapidly-changing 21st-century conditions. And, just like throughout the rest of America: squealing protests against them.
Especially notable in The Camellia Thief & Other Tales for this reader are pages containing interviews with, or short profiles of, such local influencers as: “Sistah Patt Gunn,” Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions, author Miriam K. Center, eco-artist Lisa D. Watson, and the recently-departed beloved writer Jane Fishman.
Since her days as a columnist for CONNECT SAVANNAH, I’ve been a great admirer of the uncommon clarity Leigh Lebos brings to her takes on the city’s evolving cultural and demographic landscape. When able to read her elsewhere (as in this excellent timely volume), I have found myself alternately arguing against her persuasive passion, nodding with enthusiastic agreement, or joining in on the laughs she at times shares so generously. One thing I have never been when reading her is uninterested.
The Camellia Thief & Other Tales is a book I’m glad I gave my full attention and recommend anyone in search of an equally informative and entertaining read do the same.
Aberjhani
Author of These Black and Blue Red Zone Days
And Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah
Displaying 1 of 1 review