On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Here's the topic to begin discussion of the first volume in Rick Bragg's family trilogy. It's quite a read. I hope all of you enjoy it as much as I have. Twice. And, although I'm not much for audio books, being the one to like the weight and feel of a book in my hands, Rick Bragg reads each of the volumes in the trilogy. He's an exceptional storyteller. This is one time you won't hear me squawk about an audio book!

I'm going to re-read this one too this time around. My library doesn't have an audio copy, but I'd love to hear him read it. I just finished Harry Crews memoir, and I think it will be great to compare the 2 memoirs of these writers, lived and written 20 years apart. I know it was just a coincidence of the voting on the polls that have us reading these books in the same month, but what a great opportunity for discussion it will give us!

Diane wrote: "I'm going to re-read this one too this time around. My library doesn't have an audio copy, but I'd love to hear him read it. I just finished Harry Crews memoir, and I think it will be great to c..."

Interesting how the selections have gone for last month and this month, Diane. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption and Driving the King: A Novel, though non-fiction and fiction turned out to be ideal companion reads, both dealing with race, intolerance, and prejudice. Now, as you have said, we have two memoirs, or biographical reads. It will be interesting to compare these two writers.

One note on the Audible recording of All Over But the Shoutin', it is ABRIDGED. Readers, please note. I started to order it today and found that out. So, if you're looking for a complete audio edition of this one, it is not available through Audible. I have not checked for other sources.

I read this a couple of years ago and loved it. I doubt I'll have time to read it again this month. Instead, I'm going to read Harry Crews book. Agree that it will be interesting to see everyone's comparisons as I've loved all of Bragg's novels about his family and growing up in the south.

I've read this several times , and give it high marks. I love the way he pays tribute to his mother throughout the book( being one) . This guy can write. I've read all of his books, and found them all interesting .Enjoy !!

I decided to re-read this one right after finishing Harry Crews biography of his childhood. I think I read it shortly after publication the first time, so it's been about 20 years. I really wanted to compare the styles and the stories, since the locales were similar. Crews was born in 1935, Bragg was born in 1959. I have now finished the first part of the book concerning his childhood, and right off the bat noticed that both books began with stories about their absent fathers. Crews never knew his father, he died when he was just a baby. Bragg's father was a drunk who came and went before finally leaving for good when he was 6. Both men had to move a lot, both had loving families, both were dirt poor. Both authors had salvation/church stories. Crews was "saved" because he was scared into it by a traveling evangelist, and because he saw it as inevitable and wanted to get it over with. Bragg never answered the altar call because it never felt right for him. I guess the comparison between books ends here, because Crews book ends when he's 9 or 10, and Bragg continues his story as an adult. It has been most interesting reading them back to back like this. I prefer Bragg's writing style (more lyrical), but understand that Crews childhood experiences were so harrowing he had to write from a distance, so to speak.

Diane wrote: "I decided to re-read this one right after finishing Harry Crews biography of his childhood. I think I read it shortly after publication the first time, so it's been about 20 years. I really wante..."

I've read "All Over But the Shoutin'" and "Ava's Man," but haven't gotten around to reading "The Prince of Frogtown," which is about his father. But it does have a bunch of good reviews and high ratings here on GR's.

I loved "Ava's Man" just as much as this one, but "The Prince of Frogtown" was not a favorite. Not a bad book, but it just didn't have the emotion and appeal for me. But I've got to make time for Jerry Lee Lewis.

Diane wrote: "I loved "Ava's Man" just as much as this one, but "The Prince of Frogtown" was not a favorite. Not a bad book, but it just didn't have the emotion and appeal for me. But I've got to make time for..."

The Jerry Lee book is great.

Have just started reading this and at 35 pages in, I`m hooked.

I would recommend first reading "Ava's Man," the story of the grandfather Rick Bragg never knew. In searching for his grandfather's story, he discovers his own family. "All Over but the Shouting" is the story of Bragg's own alcoholic, wayward and misbegotten father and Bragg's love for, and relationship with, his mother and his two brothers. It is, too, the story of Bragg's career as a journalist, where he hides out from relationships and a failed marriage, admittedly his only commitment his job. His journey starts in his high school's campus newspaper and leads him to Birmingham, New Orleans, Miami, Atlanta, Haiti and New York, ultimately to The New York Times and the Pulitzer Prize. "All Over . . . " is a gritty and poignant story, Bragg unashamably exposing not only his own flaws and insecurities, but the foibles of his family, in his own words, "Alabama poor white trash." He struggles with his own insecurities to climb out of his background and be accepted by his colleagues. Fellow Southern author Pat Conroy, after reading the book, called Bragg to tell him he had written a masterpiece and drove from his home in South Carolina to deliver flowers to Bragg's mother. I enjoyed both books immensely.

John wrote: "I would recommend first reading "Ava's Man," the story of the grandfather Rick Bragg never knew. In searching for his grandfather's story, he discovers his own family. "All Over but the Shouting" i..."

I read Shoutin' several years ago and really liked it although it was painful to read about his father and the hard life that he and his mother had. Ava's Man, which I read this year, is just as enjoyable but a bit gentler as the male subject of the story is a lot more palatable than Bragg's father. I recommend reading them in that order but, to be honest, the important thing is just that you read them in any order.

And after those two, dig even deeper into his family's history with The Best Cook in the World.

Diane wrote: "And after those two, dig even deeper into his family's history with The Best Cook in the World."

Thanks, Diane. I am looking forward to reading that book. I'm an avid cook, so it interests me from that vantage point. Point 2: I'm married (49 years this last January 22nd) to a Charleston-borne Southern belle and this CA boy has gravitated to Southern food and cooking. You ought to taste my Hoppin' John's and Hush Puppies! As a long-time subscriber to Southern Living magazine, Point 3, I've first turned to the back page each month to read Rick Bragg's closing editorial. I'm "On the Trail" of Rick Bragg. LOL

You're there, John. Before you read the book and try the recipes, stock up on lard, butter, and bacon grease. It really took me back to that way of southern cooking, when everything was delicious, just because.

John wrote: "As a long-time subscriber to Southern Living magazine, Point 3, I've first turned to the back page each month to read Rick Bragg's closing editorial. I'm "On the Trail" of Rick Bragg. LOL."

If you've been reading Southern Magazine you will find parts of My Southern Journey: True Stories from the Heart of the South familiar. It's a collection of essays that, while not always as intimate as his memoirs, have at least as much humor. Listening to the audio version read by Bragg himself is a true delight.