Lighted Windows: A Collection of Short Stories

by Jude Roy

The stories follow the journey of a young Cajun boy as he moves through adolescence to the day when he leaves his small village in Southwest Louisiana. The young narrator is both influenced by and chronicles the stories of the other characters in the town. His sharecropper father, for example, can't read or write, but he uses nature and folk wisdom to teach his son how the spiritual and physical world works. Pete LaSache, the Black storyteller, imports his wisdom to the boy through tales. Monsieur Thibodeaux teaches the boy to show caring through action. The town "welfare whore," Izetta Rougeau, seduces the boy and introduces him to sex, tenderness, and ultimately manhood. In the end, the boy departs to experience the "strange and exciting world" outside the circle of his small village.

133 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2016

About the author

Originally from Chataignier, Louisiana, Jude Roy now lives and writes in Madisonville, Kentucky. He has published widely in magazines and journals and has three novels set in the same area as La Valse du Bayou Serpent (The Bayou Serpent Waltz). Nearly all his works have a Cajun theme, and he is proud of his heritage.

Reviews

[Ann Duddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful portrait of a people who aren't often written about outside of bad stereotypes. Jude's writing is sure and highly visual. Lighted Windows is reminiscent of Gurney Norman's Kinfolks and Hemingway's Nick Adams stories.

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with several short stories about a boy growing up and how he is influenced and inspired by friends, family and other characters. Some very unique and Interesting characters. These stories make you think, some are happy, some are quite sad but I found them all quite thought provoking. Very well written and really brings you in to the stories. Recommend to fans of short stories or someone looking for a good, quick read. xx

[Sarah Oglesby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a captivating snapshot of growing up in rural Louisiana. Jude builds a world that comes alive for the reader. The Cajun culture is both harsh and endearing as seen through the eyes of a sensitive young boy growing into young adulthood.

Serious about what makes us all human, the stories highlight the trials of poverty & the security of a caring family.

[Paul III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of stories in an interesting setting.