The Fiery Pantheon: A Novel

by Nancy Lemann

Acclaimed for her "gleeful and contagious love of language" (Los Angeles Times), Nancy Lemann evokes the tattered glamour of fading traditional Southern society like no other writer. Now she introduces the aristocratic Stewart clan of New Orleans, in particular, the self-effacing Grace, who is vacationing with her family at a rambling old resort in Virginia and mulling over her recent engagement to Monroe Collier, her ideal Southern gentleman. When she spots the crazed but brilliant Walter, she pegs him as a likely candidate for a nervous breakdown, but he determinedly attaches himself to Grace and begins to work his charms on her.
Will Grace remain true to laconic Monroe and the ideals of her homeland or will she fall for the strangely charismatic Walter? Who will gain entry into the Fiery Pantheon, Grace's personal gallery of beloved and honored heroes? In the tradition of Evelyn Waugh and Walker Percy, The Fiery Pantheon is a witty and rapturous novel about the weight of past glory, the attachment to place, and the love of a man.

Genres: Fiction, Southern

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

American novelist.

Reviews

[Elaine Robinson LaBar · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really disliked this book. Could not see any point or plot to the story. Grace herself seems not to know what she wants in life, living mostly in the past. her mother is self-absorbed and arrogant, pretending to know what everyone else is about, the father a good natured oaf who indulges both his conceited wife and confused daughter. Monroe was completely absent from the story, and poor hapless Walter, jeez I don’t even know what to say about him. And the repetition drove me crazy! Have never read anything by Nancy Lemann before and am definitely unlikely to read anything else.

[Mira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love Lemann’s writing, but I felt like this dragged on a bit. A really beautiful story about the love one feels for their home (in her case, New Orleans) but also the yearning for something different. Reminds me of that Townes van Zandt line from I’ll be here in the morning, “no prettier sight than looking back on a town you left behind.” Anyway, this book would make an excellent rom com. Obsessed with Grace, even more obsessed with Walter. May we all make it into the Fiery Pantheon one day.

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Annoying, stilted, repetitive. Southern fiction at close to its worst with "crazed young people" and a psychoanalyzing mother and a heroine who idealizes (in her mental fiery pantheon) seersucker suited men of the south. Yuk.

[LRKK · Rating 5 out of 5]

A flawed novel but, truly, it doesn’t much matter. Read it for the hypnotic lyricism and the old story made new.

[Chris Duray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot to like in the details but never felt like it came together in a coherent whole. Is that meant to be read as an example of a languid southern ethos? I don’t know, but I did like all of the different ways Walter could slump into a chair.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, although I'm not sure why. The writing style was strange, somehow, but I loved the characters, and the plot was satisfying. I'm a sucker for books about wealthy, eccentric Southerners, I guess.

[Meggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to be in the minority here because I love The Fiery Pantheon. But I also loved Nancy Lemann's writing going into this, so...

Yes, there is a lot of repetition, and Lemann has favorite words that appear again and again: vast, madly, besotted, dementedly. (See this review from the NYT). But there are also hysterically funny passages: Grace's various accidental conquests unraveling before your eyes, Walter attempting to change into a tuxedo in an airplane lavatory à la James Bond.

I almost think parts of this novel work better read aloud; when I reached a good passage (which to be honest was every few pages), I'd read it out loud to whatever poor soul happened to be in my vicinity. They seemed to enjoy them, but then again, they could have just been humoring a crazed person.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I wanted to finish this book, interesteing story and characters, I couldn't wrap myself around the way it was written. A bit "Momemtum" like - it kept going back and saying the same things over and over again. Probably half as long and twice as good if the author did not deploy that writing style.

[Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars...I really {really} wanted to love this book, since it came highly recommended by a close friend, but in the end, I was just annoyed by the writing style and lack of storyline. :(

[Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book in 1998 and loved it. I kept it in NY and read a chapter or two over this year. I love it still. For me, it’s a classic.