Born in the Delta: Reflections on the Making of a Southern White Sensibility

by Margaret Jones Bolsterli

In this gracefully written memoir, Margaret Jones Bolsterli recounts her experiences as a lively, observant girl coming of age on an Arkansas cotton farm during the 1930s and 1940s. The Mississippi River's broad, flat floodplain provides the setting for her vivid strokes of memory and history each portraying key elements of the "southern sensibility." Bolsterli's themes include the southerner's strong sense of place, the penchant for stories rather than true dialog, a caste system based on formality and race, the underlying current of violence, and the repressive function of evangelical religion. She also examines manners, the patriarchal family structure, the "southern belle" concept, and the persistence of the memory of the Civil War. A fascinating chapter on food indicates how African and European customs are melded in southern cuisine to include chicken, pork, "cracklin' bread," gravy and biscuits, field peas, turnip greens, butter beans, devil's food cake, and dill pickles. Comparable to Shirley Abbott's Womenfolks, Born in the Delta is a valuable resource for those interested in southern history and culture, as well as readers who just enjoy a good story, well-told.

132 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2000

Reviews

[Olivia Harcourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born in the Delta, written by Margaret Jones Bolsterli offers a wonderful story of her life growing up during 1930-1940s. Influential people in her life were the African American children and adults that surrounded her while she was growing up. She uses her own relationships to look further into the past relationships of races and how that leads to racism. Religion was also a factor of Bolsterli’s writing since there has always been a strong church system in the South. The South was shaped by culture and religion. Although I did not live during the time this book talks about, I have heard similar stories told by my parents and grandparents. I believe that this book is a great piece of literature that allows readers to be transported through time. The way Bolsterli writes is captivating and illusive to where, as a reader, I felt like I grew up alongside her. The accuracy of her words serves as a tribute to southern heritage and I would recommend this book to anyone with or without interest in the life of a southerner at that time. Upper middle school teachers could use this book to study Arkansas History in their classrooms.

[susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my story. The author is younger than my Mama but is old enough to be my Mother. This is how I was raised.

[Mike Pitonyak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in the 60's and 70's I can relate. Very good read!

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being from the south I could relate to some of what the author was writing, but it seemed to me she was a more than a little whinny.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! A quirky mix of memoir and social analysis. Honest and thoughtful.