The Southerners

by Edna L. Lee

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

aka Edna L. Mooney Lee

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stretching from the early 1900s to World War I, this novel's setting roams from the bright glitter of Atlanta Society to the grime of cotton mills, from the quiet of the peaceful countryside to the violent cries of Atlanta race rioters. It's a piece of history seldom talked about, and it's written in that lovely, old-fashioned, eloquent English language that is so quickly disappearing.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book off the shelf knowing nothing about it other than it has something to do with the south. Before reading it, I had checked out the reviews on here was a bit apprehensive. The star ratings were not very high. Despite this, I started the book and am glad I did! The Southerners follows the life of Jessica Kildare through life's twists and turns. I truly enjoyed Lee's writing!

[Texbritreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable 1953 novel set in and around early 1900s Atlanta, Georgia. The sweeping tale of an orphaned girl as she navigates the changing world of southern society and the slowly modernizing business and cultural environment of the "Old South". A few offensive epithets and dated ideas but highly entertaining and unfolds like an old movie which you never got to see, so easy to imagine it with your favorite Golden Age actress. Which makes a lot of sense as the author, Edna Lee, also wrote The Queen Bee and co-authored All That Heaven Allows with her, writer son, Harry Lee. Two great old movies to check out on a cozy afternoon.

[Emily Frye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m partial due to my great grandmother writing this book. The book is a bit out of date to enjoy now, but I enjoyed reading through the story and seeing a few phrases that my family still uses. The craney crow song is still sung to babies in my family.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up "The Southerners" for free at a local library to use for one of my drawings on book pages ( See the drawing here). When I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down! It's a wonderful narrative through the life of Jessica as she experiences life in the south, in the early 1900s. Jessica experiences lost, love, adventure, concern, pain, and through all the twists and turns, it ends rather perfect. I highly recommend.