On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

I just bought a volume of Flannery O'Connor's short stories.

Today I came across Grit Lit: A Rough South Reader, which looks like an interesting collection of contemporary southern lit.

What southern short stories are you fond of?

Eudora Welty and Elizabeth Spencer are two of my southern favorites. And Alice Munro is a masterful short story writer, although she is Canadian.

Diane wrote: "Eudora Welty and Elizabeth Spencer are two of my southern favorites. And Alice Munro is a masterful short story writer, although she is Canadian."

Jenny wrote: "I just bought a volume of Flannery O'Connor's short stories.

Jenny wrote: "I just bought a volume of Flannery O'Connor's short stories.

Today I came across Grit Lit: A Rough South Reader, which looks like an interesting collection of contemporary southern lit.

What ..."

Jenny, I'm reading Grit Lit: A Rough South Reader right now. It's certainly serving as a spring board to authors I've not read before and good memories of those I have. I'll be interested in your reaction.

On the Southern front, my favorites are: The Circus in the Attic and Other Stories by Robert Penn Warren containing the memorable Blackberry Winter. Of course, the short stories of Flannery O'Connor; and The Mortgaged Heart: Selected Writings by Carson McCullers.

If you check out www.friedchickenandcoffee.com, Rusty Barnes is curating short stories by fine writers who are contemporary.

I've been listening to Birds of a Lesser Paradise: Stories, all of which seem to be set in the south. Don't know much about the author.

I recently came across an old used collection of Katherine Anne Porter's Southern stories. It's terrific. I wrote a bit about it on my blog, The Soundcheck & the Fury ...

I'd never read Porter, just knew her as a mentor to Eudora Welty. I had no idea what a hell of a writer she was, her wicked wit, the sparks in her sentences, the great fun she had on the page. But I'm straight now. These aren't tame stories. These aren't delicate characters. They're as alive as her sentences -- the old women, especially. Holy hell, do not cross an old woman in a KAP story.

More at ...

http://davidwwilliams.blogspot.com/search/label/Katherine%20Anne%20Porter

David wrote: "I recently came across an old used collection of Katherine Anne Porter's Southern stories. It's terrific. I wrote a bit about it on my blog, The Soundcheck & the Fury ...

I'd never read Porter, j..."

David, I certainly enjoyed your post regarding Katherine Anne Porter. It was good of you to give us your blogspot. You have some very interesting material there. Thanks!

Mike
"Lawyer Stevens"

For comedy, I believe nothing beats "Why I Live at the P. O" Scary is "A Rose for Emily." Then there's one of Alice Walker's I love called "Everyday Use." These are some of the "southern" stories I return to. Fitzgerald was no southerner but he captured something special about this place when he wrote "Ice Palace." I re-read that every year when the weather starts to warm up.

Dilley wrote: "For comedy, I believe nothing beats "Why I Live at the P. O" Scary is "A Rose for Emily." Then there's one of Alice Walker's I love called "Everyday Use." These are some of the "southern" stori..."

Interesting point about the Fitzgerald piece. Montgomery, Alabama, and Zelda, of course, did have a strong hold on him. If any woman could Southernize a man, Zelda could do it. I recommend a visit to the Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald museum in Montgomery, Al., http://fitzgeraldmuseum.net/ .

Jenny wrote: "I've been listening to Birds of a Lesser Paradise: Stories, all of which seem to be set in the south. Don't know much about the author."

Hi Jenny,

I read that book last year, I loved it. The author is from North/South Carolina, but recently moved to Vermont with her husband. I really liked that book, the stories were awesome! Let me know what you thought of it after you finish.

Jason wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I've been listening to Birds of a Lesser Paradise: Stories, all of which seem to be set in the south. Don't know much about the author."

Hi Jenny,

I read that book last year, I lov..."
I liked it, she writes flawed relationships and people well. My review is here if you're interested.

O'Connor's short stories are incredible of course. But I have yet to read the complete Faulkner or Welty short stories which I'm sure are masterpieces. If you count the Uncle Remus stories as short stories those are great as well.

Truman Capote's short stories are classic!

peg wrote: "Truman Capote's short stories are classic!"

Yes! I love A Christmas Memory!

Garrett wrote: "peg wrote: "Truman Capote's short stories are classic!"

Yes! I love A Christmas Memory!"

All of Capote's short stories are available in one volume, The Complete Stories of Truman Capote. Children on Their Birthdays is unforgettable.

Mike S.

I just picked up O'Connor' s stories for the kindle daily deal for 2.99.

Mike wrote: "Garrett wrote: "peg wrote: "Truman Capote's short stories are classic!"

Yes! I love A Christmas Memory!"

All of Capote's short stories are available in one volume, The Complete Stories of Truman ..."

I have the Complete Stories and revisit it on a regular basis.

'Music for Chameleons" always tickled me, too.

I've been reading "Starting Over" by Elizabeth Spencer. I'll reserve my final judgment until I've finished the book. J.

What a treasure you all are. Thank you for your comments and information about all the good reads. I did finish reading "Starting Over." I'm still processing what I read and how I felt about the material. The stories may deserve another reading.
Thanks again everyone,
J.

Jim wrote: "I recently discovered the unforgettable stories of Pinckney Benedict. His stories in Miracle Boy Miracle Boy and Other Stories are mesmerizing - especially Mudman!"

Amen. The Pinckney Benedict book is wonderful.

Dilley wrote: "For comedy, I believe nothing beats "Why I Live at the P. O" Scary is "A Rose for Emily." Then there's one of Alice Walker's I love called "Everyday Use." These are some of the "southern" stori..."


Great recommendations. I love the Fitzgerald collection and "The Ice Palace" is a great one about North vs. South during the Civil War. If I remember it correctly, a southern girl is being courted by a northerner.

I love Welty's "A Worn Path." I read it every year at least.

Thoughts on Ellen Gilchrist? I had only read her book about writing, which was really more of a memoir. I just read a galley of Acts of God, coming out later this year. All the stories are set in the South except one set in the Heathrow airport (with a cast of Southerners), all revolving around a tragic event - death or disaster.

Compelling subject matter, but the stories were overly positive for my tastes. Everyone learns valuable lessons about family and friendship, just a step up from Chicken Soup for the Soul schmaltz. Am I missing it? Am I too young to appreciate the lessons she wants to write? Even her young characters read old-fashioned. I was under the impression that she is an acclaimed story writer. If this is true, then she might just not be my type. :)

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Thoughts on Ellen Gilchrist? I had only read her book about writing, which was really more of a memoir. I just read a galley of Acts of God, coming out later this year. All the stor..."

Hmmmmm....Have you read Victory Over Japan: A Book of Stories? If not, give it a shot. It just might change your opinion of Gilchrist.

Mike

Other than my Flannery O'Connor favorites, a number of which we've read as a group, my favorite anthology of short stories by a Southern Author is The Circus in the Attic and Other Stories by Robert Penn Warren. "Blackberry Winter" is the quintessential loss of innocence story. However, each entry is remarkable.

Mike

Mike wrote: "Hmmmmm....Have you read Victory Over Japan: A Book of Stories? If not, give it a shot. It just might change your opinion of Gilchrist."
I did wonder if I was reading a set that were based on a particular rumination or experience. Acts of God do have that feeling.

If I ever finish the James Tiptree story anthology I'm working through, Flannery is my next bedside short story tome!

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Mike wrote: "Hmmmmm....Have you read Victory Over Japan: A Book of Stories? If not, give it a shot. It just might change your opinion of Gilchrist."
I did wonder if I was reading a set that were ba..."

Great choice!

Mike

February 18, 2014

Y'all I have so many good books on my mind when I walk out of Square Books in Oxford that I need to start carrying a pen and pad around with me. There are so many new Southern Grit authors out there and some old that were so good I would like to revisit. When Gilchrist first appeared , she had a superb collection of short stories : In the Land of Dreamy Dreams ! I really want to read it over . That is when Larry Brown's short story collection Facing the Music came about too! That was an awesome success! We are forgetting he was a success before John Grisham and then Grisham's A Time to Kill now has the sequel, Sycamore Row. I also think March is Movie Month for the Oscars coming soon and Twelve Years a Slave is an awesome historic true read! It is nominated for so many academy awards! We really should go there... Of course I must put a word in for my kin Larry Brown's movie which will be coming out in the Spring or early summer- Joe!!! I am so excited! I also want to read more Larry and we have not read the right Barry Hannah or none of Willie Morris! I am also forgetting that we have just touched the base of Daniel Woodrell right now and I am itching to get back to him!

In my Southern Lit. Class in 2011 my Professor was wonderful! I have to get into my files because there were some great reads she suggested we read on our own. I read some great memoir too! I LOVE memoir! When you know more about the author , you understand his work of art much better. Can you imagine reading a memoir or biography of Truman Capote or Flannery O'Conner right now? We always have a writer in residence each semester sponsored by The Rene and John Grisham Foundation. One Summer the most AWESOME poet from Montgomery , AL who has to teach all the way up in Colorado! LOL! Came to visit while I was taking classes. He was remarkable. Even if you do not care for poetry you would love his premise and ongoing theme for his books. The Civil Rights Memorial is in his hometown in AL. He has take it upon himself to write a poem in commemoration of each martyr on the monument. Each poem tells their store. The poetry carries the symbol of the starling which you know as black birds of prey and symbolize many things to many people. If we read this, I can introduce the book . It is so well put together . Jake Adam York is his name. My book is packed right now from my recent move, which is killing me. I am one to have books at my reach everywhere at all times, mostly in my bed since my divorce ! LOL!!!

I would go through Gone With the Wind Again easily. I think it was the best Civil War Novel I have ever read. Then several years ago a controversy came about when when The Wind Done Gone came about from the point of view of Miss Mamie's daughter who was mulatto. It was very interesting how they connected everything. You know how I Love sequels or prequels. I wonder why Margaret Mitchell only wrote one book? As Dolly Pardon would say in Steele Magnolia's, " There's a story there."

There was another book I wanted to say something about, but I must read for awhile . Read in the morning and at night- BEST TIMES!!!

Your Rebel Dawn :)

I sure wish goodreads had spellcheck and other features for grammar! These HTML issue is driving this English teacher crazy! I would pay a price just to have a Grammarly and spellcheck App!!

Mike- just a quick note- I HAVE NEVER READ ROBERT PENN WARREN . I HAVE NOT BECAUSE I DID NOT LIKE HIS TRADITIONAL FAMIUS READ. THE OTHERS ABOVE I MIGHT TRY !

One more : WE SHOULD READ TRUMAN CAPOTE'S SHORT STORIES OR HIS BIO. IN HONOR OF THE LOSS OF PHILLIP SEYMORE HOFFMAN WHO WON AN OSCAR FOR BRING CAPOTE TO LIFE FOR SO MANY WHO REALLY NEVER KNEW HIM. SAD STORY AFTER BEING CLEAN FOR 23 YEARS.

Your Rebel Dawn

Dawn wrote: "Mike- just a quick note- I HAVE NEVER READ ROBERT PENN WARREN . I HAVE NOT BECAUSE I DID NOT LIKE HIS TRADITIONAL FAMIUS READ. THE OTHERS ABOVE I MIGHT TRY !

One more : WE SHOULD READ TRUMAN CAPO..."

Our member Erika nominated The Complete Stories of Truman Capote for April. How 'bout that for a timely recommendation? *grin*

Oh! And on Robert Penn Warren, there's a host of wonderful novels if All the King's Men didn't ring your chimes. Check 'em out! Night Rider, World Enough and Time,Band of Angelsbook:Wilderness: A Tale Of The Civil War|20686243], The Cave,A Place To Come To: A Novel. Yeah, you probably figured it out. He's a favorite.

Mike

2-18-2014
Monday

Mike- you do know me! Of course I never give up on an author. I may can read his most famous now! But, I will try new ones too. All writers are worth reading!

Your Rebel

Let's not forget the contemporary author Kaye Park Hinckley (also a member of this group) who recently produced a collection of stories called Birds of a Feather.

Thank you, Richard, my very, very, admirable good friend! You, and The Southern Trail, will be first to know my humbling news. My publisher, Wise Blood Books, has nominated Birds of a Feather for the Pulitzer Prize. I haven't said anything about it yet--didn't know whether to "whisper or shout." Of course so many are nominated, and I'm just happy he thought my little collection noteworthy enough to add to that long list.

Congratulations, Kaye! That's quite an accomplishment.

Oh wow, Kaye! That's wonderful news.

It is an honor for sure. Thank you both. And congratulations to you, Laura. You'll be a great moderator!

Kaye
On a funny note, I kept thinking "Josh is never going to let me read his copy of the book now". So I'll have to get from the library! He's so protective of his books.....I might "break the spine".

Kaye wrote: "Thank you, Richard, my very, very, admirable good friend! You, and The Southern Trail, will be first to know my humbling news. My publisher, Wise Blood Books, has nominated Birds of a Feather for t..."

Kaye, that's fabulous! Forgive me for using an award-show cliche, but "it's an honor just to be nominated." You never know what will happen. Do keep us posted!

Kaye wrote: "It is an honor for sure. Thank you both. And congratulations to you, Laura. You'll be a great moderator!"

That is so fabulous!! A nomination itself is a thing to prize for all time. Congratulations!

Kaye wrote: "Thank you, Richard, my very, very, admirable good friend! You, and The Southern Trail, will be first to know my humbling news. My publisher, Wise Blood Books, has nominated Birds of a Feather for t..."

Congratulations, Kaye! What a great honor. But you, my friend are traveling in the footsteps of Flannery O'Connor. The nomination is well deserved. It is only fitting that the anthology debuted at Andalusia.

Laura wrote: "Kaye
On a funny note, I kept thinking "Josh is never going to let me read his copy of the book now". So I'll have to get from the library! He's so protective of his books.....I might "break the spi..."

*grin* I understand Josh completely. I open a book just wide enough to read the text inside. They appear unread. My wife, Martha Jo, devours, mutilates, and destroys a book. *laughing* By the time she's done, it has been well loved and may be graded as a reading copy only.

I'm with Laura and Martha Jo. Books should be loved, and I actually prefer used books to new ones, they have some history behind them, even if you don't always know what it is.

Kaye wrote: "Thank you, Richard, my very, very, admirable good friend! You, and The Southern Trail, will be first to know my humbling news. My publisher, Wise Blood Books, has nominated Birds of a Feather for t..."

Congratulations, Kaye. That is sterling news indeed.

Diane wrote: "I'm with Laura and Martha Jo. Books should be loved, and I actually prefer used books to new ones, they have some history behind them, even if you don't always know what it is."

Oh, I have my share of well loved books. And one of my favorite little books is 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff who struck up a relationship with a little English bookshop at that address in London. She preferred used editions with the notes of previous readers, what struck them when they read those books generations ago. Hanff's little book captures that mystery, the history of books through the years and the hands of those readers that held them. Some of my most loved books were given to me by my family, others belonged to favorite professors. My copy of Look Homeward, Angel was owned by my Calculus professor.

But I have a completely different rule for my signed firsts. They are things of beauty, too--in their own right. That's especially true if you've met the author and had it signed then and there. I wish I had started much earlier, but there were not many opportunities in those days. Nor did my schedule allow travel for that purpose, either.

Oh, yes...short stories! Ron Rash has an anthology of short stories coming out Something Rich and Strange: Selected Stories, expected publication date November 4, 2014. The anthology is drawn from all four of his previous anthologies.

Mike wrote: "Kaye wrote: "Thank you, Richard, my very, very, admirable good friend! You, and The Southern Trail, will be first to know my humbling news. My publisher, Wise Blood Books, has nominated Birds of a ..."

Thank you all for your encouragement. I've just spent several days in Atlanta with family--and without a computer--(kind of nice, really)--so I'm just getting back to Goodreads. I do so appreciate the Southern Trail!!

Oh my dearest KAYE --- I hope you know by the messages I have sent you how moved by your book I was after reading. I cannot think of any better book or person as an excellent author to be nominated for this honor but I believe and have such faith that you will succeed in securing this award that proves what I have been trying to convince you. Your work is so much more a book to be read as a book to help others in the times that we are living in right now. Days that show over and over that we need to learn the difference between good and bad and how to stop the chaos of the injustices on innocent people caused by the circle of this behavior that can be helped with learning morals and convictions studied by religious values that have been ignored in past years. I do not remember where I heard this quote but this is what best describes you and your writing, " You are blissful, you are bountiful, you are Beautiful. " Good Luck ... KAYE

Dawn wrote: "Oh my dearest KAYE --- I hope you know by the messages I have sent you how moved by your book I was after reading. I cannot think of any better book or person as an excellent author to be nominated..."
Dawn, your words overwhelm me. Thank you!

I need help. (No, not that kind of help)

While participating in a discussion over in the Literary Darkness I stuck my foot in it and suggested that the group should add a short story category to its monthly reading. Needless to say I was instantly hired to make it happen. The most recent story that I posted was Faulkner's A Rose for Emily which went over very well. It occurs to me that the whole Southern Gothic genre should be chock full of dark literary short stories but I am at a loss to think of any that are available in the public domain. Does anybody have any suggestions?

Tom here is a list of stories in the public domain, ranging from horror and gothic to science fiction. You'll have to wade through. http://www.sffaudio.com/?page_id=41273

I've got a Southern story of mine I'd love to share with you, personally or to the group, 'Cicadas.' Much obliged.

Yours, Grady Miller

Tom wrote: "I need help. (No, not that kind of help)

While participating in a discussion over in the Literary Darkness I stuck my foot in it and suggested that the group should add a short story category to i..."

Tom, these are not all Southern short stories, but they are dark and over a hundred years old so you could probably find them in the public domain:

An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs