Sean of the South: Whistling Dixie

by Sean Dietrich

A collection of short stories by Sean Dietrich, a writer, humorist, and novelist, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His humor and short fiction appear in various publications throughout the Southeast.

Genres: Nonfiction, Short Stories, Essays, Southern, Humor

198 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2015

About the author

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, podcaster, speaker, and novelist, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, The Tallahassee Democrat, Good Grit, South Magazine, The Bitter Southerner, Thom Magazine, and The Mobile Press Register, and he has authored ten books.

Reviews

[Dawn Quarles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a novel, it's a collection of Dietrich's blogposts. Know that in advance. If you approach this book as more of a daily devotional, you will be less likely to completely over-dose on his kitschy emersion into all-things-Southern. This man can capture a memory and squeeze every last drop of nostalgia out of it. I can taste the home grown tomatoes he describes and I can smell the cigarette smoke of the lady in his stories about the Piggly Wiggly. I think Sean Dietrich and I grew up almost identically. He is so good at what he does. As a lifelong Southerner myself, I wouldn't be able to read even one page of this book if I were away somewhere feeling even the least bit homesick. He has covered it all. Every food, every character nuance, every sound, every crunch of the gravel down every back country road. Check and check and check. But like I said, if you choose this book, I would encourage you to read one story every day with your cup of coffee instead of plowing through it all at once. He will make you cry, you will laugh in remembrance, and you'll think about being a better person. I've met him, too. His stories are genuine, and they are as good on the inside as he is.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sean Dietrich, aka Sean of the South, was first introduced to me by a friend who knew of my love for Rick Bragg. While the styles are different, Dietrich captures the spirit of the people, specifically his family, wife Jamie, and hoards of southern strangers mostly from north FL/lower AL in his everyday life observances. This is a collection of his daily blog posts. I only recently started reading his blog, so all of these were new to me. Long time fans will probably find it repetitive. Great introduction to this new storyteller.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few weeks back I read The South’s Okayest Writer, a collection of articles by Sean Dietrich. Whistling Dixie is very similar in content and in theme, as this also collects a few score of his short pieces. Okayest Writer had a more intense theme of people creating beauty and connection despite of, or because of, their suffering. While that theme echoes often here, there are more miscellaneous pieces as well, some about the South in general – reflections on southern dialects and euphemisms, for instance. As with his prior collection, this is fairly intimate: the shadow cast over his life by his father’s suicide comes up quite a bit. One of the more touching stories in that vein is his recollection of how his boy self fled the funeral and retreated to the back, taking off his father’s tie and throwing it away. He was found by another of the men, who – removing his own tie – ministered to him in a way that only a man who has also lost his father can. Several of the pieces are also written in loving tribute to his wife, Jamie, and to the Waffle House. (He really likes the Waffle House.) As a whole, the collection is perfectly sweet, though I shouldn’t have read it so close on the heels of The South’s Okayest Writer.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only just recently discovered Sean Dietrich and read his column every day now. This book is a collection of older columns. If you like Southern, small-town wit, humor and over-all feel goodness, then check out Sean.

[Farrah Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

This was the first book of Mr. Dietrich's. I am about to start another one. Thank you Mr. Dietrich for all of the wonderful stories.

[Cindy Brookshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. Loved seeing Sean perform at The Clayton Center too. This is the first of his books that I have read. I hope to read more.

[Jeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite one so far!

[Johnny Coody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Love to hear good news about good people.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn’t perfect- there are some spelling and grammatical errors, and at times the essays can feel a little repetitive and cliche. However, Sean of the South has created one of the most lovable author personalities I’ve ever seen, and his writing feels genuine, funny, comforting, and hopeful. What else could we possibly need right now?

[Cece · Rating 5 out of 5]

An authentic and distinct southern voice is what Sean Dietrich is. I’m sort of a newbie fan of the Sean of the South as he is known on his blog. This book is a nice collection of blogposts that gives a true glimpse of the South- the South that I was also raised in. It was quite a nostalgic remembrance of times gone by- when times were simpler. I really do love this author and the way he sees hope and the goodness in people . What an uplifting and hope filled book! Someone that genuinely sees the glass half full. He graciously tells stories of ordinary people he meets and how they have inspired and helped people along their way. I couldn’t recommend this enough!

[Katina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet like sorghum. Or something similarly southern. These little tiny snippets and stories shouldn't be read at once. The book would be better suited to a daily devotional type practice. Upshot of basically every installment is that the good old days were great, life should be about appreciating loved ones and simple pleasures like a fresh tomato or hot biscuit, but that we shouldn't get stuck in nostalgia. Life is beautiful now, too, and we should be grateful for all good things and the good in our fellow humans. Sean would say this more succinctly and with more... twang... But that's the gist of it right there.

[Michael E. Schulte Sr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good old fashion common sense..

Writer evidently has a world of experience at everyday logic. You may not agree with all he has to say, but he has the fantastic ability to have you thinking " hmmmm yep, I can see that" or " yep, been there done that" . He tells it like it is, like it ought to be or better still like God intended it to be. Thanks, looking forward to other books by this Author.

[Morgan Lupton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of blog posts that reads somewhat like the stream of consciousness commentary of a grown-up, southern Oskar Schell from Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (which I also gave a 3-star rating).

While I didn’t find all the stories incredibly thought provoking, I do have a great deal of respect for the writer’s ability to tell a more-or-less complete story in 1.5 pages.

As a column, I’m sure this kind of writing is very compelling, but not sure how much value there is compiling this into book form.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this writer- reminiscent of Lewis Grizzard. I was somewhat surprised at the editing errors in this book, although it didn't affect my enjoyment. The editor should have caught several plural/possessive punctuation errors and a few past participle misuses. I have not seen this in daily columns I've read by this author.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan. Not a bad book but not what I was looking for. Very short feel good stories that were a little too feel good for what I was in the mood for. If you want a quick read with positive stories then this book is for you. I will stick to a longer tale that I can immerse myself in. Something I don't want to put down rather than something I struggle to pick up.

[kimbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a mouth

Just a fantastic read! I enjoyed every word and is like to make this man a pound cake. Now let me see what other books he's written. I'm fixing to get this man paid. He deserves it!

[Pamela Bodine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real south

I thoroughly enjoyed this blast from my past. Heartwarming and true it simply touched my heart . I will be reading the rest of these books by Sean of the south. Highly recommend!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be prescribed

A chapter at the end of the day will clear the bad taste from the stress, the discouragement, and the daily news. Unabashed optimism and emotional dessert. Be prepared to salivate during food descriptions.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for the Soul

These are short stories written by someone who loves and celebrates living in the south. He writes about good people, good food, and I’m here for it. I’m headed to read the rest of his books.

[LUCINDA GUILLOT · Rating 5 out of 5]

LongLive the South

Sean’s essays touch my heart in a special way. They are very uplifting, and make me feel proud to be a Southerner myself. I have bought another copy of this book for my son in law who is also a good ole Bama boy!

[Aminda Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sean's books make you proud to be southern

A reminder of simpler, better times, when people were there for each other and the world didn't stink. Read this book.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the short little stories in this book. They are the kind that makes you glad to be from the South and miss the good old days. Great for short reads before bedtime.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

I don’t know what else to say. It’s just beautiful! I couldn’t put it down. Please read this book. Just beautiful.

[Bellavaruka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chicken Soup for the Soul: the Southern Religious Experience. Cute, sad, and sweet one-page stories. A bit hard to enjoy as a non-believer with God shoved into every page.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Little snippets of his writing arranged in a book.
If you like this author, you will like this book. Enjoy!

[Judy Hardwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this

Compilation of Sean's stories and I especially enjoy how he focuses on the good things in life - we should all do that _

[Scott N McPhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice to read about good thing!!

Reminds us this world is still full of good folk and not just the bad things we see and hear on TV

[beejay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love it!

I think I cried or laughed until I cried at nearly every column shared! Great read! I highly recommend it!

[Leilani Havens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel-good read

I laughed, I cried, I laughed until I cried --- great read!
When you need some reason to hope, Sean can provide it.

[Abby Cozart · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5 stars