Home Again: Essays and Memoirs From Indiana

by Tom Watson

Famed Indiana writer and wit George Ade once observed that a Hoosier seemed often to be a “puzzling combination of shy provincial, unfettered democrat and Fourth of July orator,” as well as being a storyteller by reason of being born in the state.What it means today to make a home in the nineteenth state is examined in the IHS Press's collection Home Essays and Memoirs from Indiana. Editors Tom Watson and Jim McGarrah have brought together some of the state's finest writers to reflect on such themes as family, security, and, as the editors noted, “quests for a better life, a life rooted in Indiana.” The book includes essays from such well-known Hoosier literary figures as Kurt Vonnegut, Scott Russell Sanders, Susan Neville, Michael Martone, and David Hoppe. The many different meanings of “home” are examined in the book, including Alyce Miller discussing her attempts to become a Hoosier after having moved to Indiana from California, and Michele Gondi finding a place in the community of Mount Vernon after moving from her native Argentina.The tone of the essays collected in Home Again range from the pastoral to humorous and explore such subjects as the Amish, hardware stores, lakes, unlocked doors, urban sprawl, and more.Essays Pat Aakhus, Leisa Belleau, Ed Breen, Melanie Culbertson, Les Edgerton, Rick Farrant, Michele Gondi, Bill Hemminger, David Hoppe, Terry Kirts, Michael Martone, Jim McGarrah, Margaret McMullan, Susan Troy Meyer, Alyce Miller, Deborah Zarka Miller, Susan Neville, Scott Saalman, Scott Russell Sanders, Phil Schlemmer, Kurt Vonnegut, and Tom Watson.

206 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2006

About the author

Librarian's Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR. This profile might contain books by more than one author with this name.

Reviews

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book of essays focusing on the Hoosier state.

[The Book Maven · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, loving it. Which, duh. Of course. Definitely one that I will read again...but with the intent to cure homesickness or invoke it? Unknown at this juncture.

"Doorways Into the Depths" captured, stunningly, the rich nature of a summer afternoon in Southern Indiana.

"How I Tried to Become Hoosier"-a recounting of a European-Californian who moved to Bloomington, Indiana, and tried to belong, resonated with me on a gut-level--not just the author's knowing descriptions of town and gown, but the struggle to make a place your own.

"Redneck Gifts" is a wonderful exploration of the character of Indiana's people, their reserve, their hospitality, and the gross misperceptions so many people have of them.

"The Saintly and the Sinful: A Vision of Indiana Cities" is a refreshing read--not the least reason being that the author of this essay grew up in Illinois, viewing the Hoosier State as a cosmopolitan promised land. He eventually adopts Indy for his own and celebrates it in such a way that I think I may have to read this many times over and agree. And maybe propose to him.

[Jodi Boe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought and read this book to get a sense of place of Indiana before moving down. Although I did not finish before the move, I've finished it shortly after. There were a couple of incredible stories that described place in the Midwest that I am glad to have come across and a couple of tidbits of Indiana history that I am glad to have uncovered. However, having read this I still don't have a great understanding of the heart of Indiana; perhaps that is only an understanding achieved by those having grown up here.

[Jim McGarrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I co-edited this anthology with Tom Watson and I'm very proud of the writing in it. It was published by the Indiana Historical Society and in it you'll find some brilliant non-fiction writers with connections to Indiana, including Kurt Vonnegut, Susan Neville, and Scott Russell Sanders.