What do you think?
Rate this book
Cripple Joe: Stories from My Daddy
Donald Davis has remarked that he “didn’t learn stories, I just absorbed them” from a family of traditional storytellers that has lived on the same western North Carolina land since 1781. Considered by many to be the father of family tales, Donald turns the focus of his newest collection on his own father, Joe.
As Donald reveals in the opening story, when he was 28, he mistakenly thought his father had died. Until learning of the mistake, he lamented that he’d been “too young and immature to know to ask for the stories that would have filled out his life.” Given a second chance, Donald asked those questions for the next 22 years. In this collection of 20 tender and often humorous stories—including one that tells how the elder Davis came to be called Cripple Joe —he shares the lessons he learned from his father.
The late Wilma Dykeman wrote in an article for the New York Times , “I could have listened all morning to Donald Davis. . . . His stories often left listeners limp with laughter at the same time they struggled with a lump in the throat.” If you are already a Donald Davis fan, here’s his latest offering. If you have yet to discover him, here’s your chance to see what all the excitement is about.
As Donald reveals in the opening story, when he was 28, he mistakenly thought his father had died. Until learning of the mistake, he lamented that he’d been “too young and immature to know to ask for the stories that would have filled out his life.” Given a second chance, Donald asked those questions for the next 22 years. In this collection of 20 tender and often humorous stories—including one that tells how the elder Davis came to be called Cripple Joe —he shares the lessons he learned from his father.
The late Wilma Dykeman wrote in an article for the New York Times , “I could have listened all morning to Donald Davis. . . . His stories often left listeners limp with laughter at the same time they struggled with a lump in the throat.” If you are already a Donald Davis fan, here’s his latest offering. If you have yet to discover him, here’s your chance to see what all the excitement is about.
238 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 2016
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Donald Davis
107 books20 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Donald Davis (born 1944) is an American storyteller, author and minister. Davis had a twenty year career as a minister before he became a professional storyteller. He has recorded over 25 storytelling albums and written several books based on those stories. His long career as a teller and his promotion of the cultural importance of storytelling through seminars and master classes has led to Davis being dubbed the "dean of storytelling".
Donald Davis (born 1944) is an American storyteller, author and minister. Davis had a twenty year career as a minister before he became a professional storyteller. He has recorded over 25 storytelling albums and written several books based on those stories. His long career as a teller and his promotion of the cultural importance of storytelling through seminars and master classes has led to Davis being dubbed the "dean of storytelling".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 4, 2017
Donald Davis doesn't hold back
I love that he doesn't tell only the good parts of his life, but includes the real parts. I would and have recommended this book to all of my friends and family - even have read some as bedtime stories to the younger ones. Thank You Donald.
I love that he doesn't tell only the good parts of his life, but includes the real parts. I would and have recommended this book to all of my friends and family - even have read some as bedtime stories to the younger ones. Thank You Donald.
June 18, 2017
Fun stories... made me think about how I'm recording my stories and family history stories, and also impacted my bedtime routine. I'm still reading out loud to my kids, but I'm supplementing with more family stories too!
January 11, 2018
A humorous and heartfelt memoir.
October 25, 2019
Great stories growing up in western North Carolina and life lessons learned. Some laugh out loud moments. Well told and well done!
November 20, 2016
Donald is an excellent story teller in person and his talents do not fail in his book. The stories of his father are poignant, witty and entertaining. You are left feeling that you are a part of the family.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews