The Rough South discussion

I have not read it, but I've heard about it for many years: TOBACCO ROAD, by Erskine Caldwell.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59...
Given that we're in an economic slump which keeps being compared to the Great Depression, this book about that era might be very appropriate.

I'm thinking FINN might be the book to read right now. I have checked out Barnes and Noble's website (and I'll check the store itself when I next report for work there, I being an employee) and it looks as if TOBACCO ROAD, which I'd suggested, is only available in a University Press edition, and those can be hard to obtain. FINN is in paperback and is found almost anywhere.
Here's the link to the paperback edition:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29...

UGA Press publishes the Caldwell novel, and it's never hard to get it. It's an amazing book, as is God's Little Acre. Why Caldwell has not been "rediscovered" by writers and academics is a mystery -- or maybe not: he made a lot of money on pulp editions of his books.

I re-vote for TOBACCO ROAD. I just learned, today, how to actually USE a library, and found that I was wrong and that lots of my local libraries have the book. Last night I took out an autobiography of Caldwell's, called WITH ALL MY MIGHT, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN 1987 by Peachtree Publishers LTD.
I read a story of his last night, from 1933, which is in a book called GREAT ESQUIRE FICTION, edited by L. Rust Hills. The story is called "August Afternoon" and reads a bit like Sherwood Anderson--but rougher!
I've long had the sense Caldwell has been forgotten, but he's from that era when American writers simply had a certain something. He seems well worth reading.

I just got hold of a copy of TOBACCO ROAD. Rarin' to go, if everybody else is.

I just joined up - have always been a huge fan of great southern lit. Excited to find this group and learn some new authors! Tobacco Road is on Amazon - should be easy to get hold of...

My copy of TOBACCO ROAD (an edition from 1978 published for libraries by Robert bentley, Inc.) is 187 pages.

I'm about halfway through the book and have had a peek at Caldwell's autobiography. I think by Thursday night (late) I'll post my view on the book.

HI. My name is Melody and I'm a Southerner :)...I recently purchased an old crumbling edition of THE WAVE by Evelyn Scott. I'm trying read more of the older, maybe forgotten, southern literature ....things popular post civil war to WWI (even pre-civil war). It makes me sad to think of these writers disappearing from southern literature discussions. I'm happy to find a group like this :)

If anyone is interested I am reading "Deliverence" by James Dickey and "A walk in the woods" by Bill Bryson. I thought it might be funny to do both at the same time.

Hey everyone - new member here! I lived in Durham, NC for 6 years and worked at Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, the publishers of many a good rough southern book. If y'all haven't read any Lewis Nordan, I heartily recommend him. "Wolf Whistle" and "Lightning Song" are especially wonderful. Darkly comic, lots of satire and social commentary, but still a lot of fun to read.

Thanks for the new lead!

I'm going to post over here, maybe someone will pick up...

I am ready to read "Finn" by Clinch again, even as I am just opening his new book, "Kings of the Earth." Also, I am ready to reread "Twilight," by William Gay. (I read both of these together last year, and had bad dreams for weeks!)

Also, how about Tom Franklin's "Hell at the Breach"?

I loved FINN, and HELL AT THE BREECH. I have not read TWILIGHT, but I've enjoyed William Gay's short stories tremendously over the years and would like to read this novel or Clinch's KINGS OF THE EARTH

Another one I would like to suggest is Suzanne Hudson's IN A TEMPLE OF TREES.

http://www.curledup.com/templeof.htm

I was one of the judges for Oxford American's recent Southern Literature issue and Hudson's book was one of my nominations for (and was chosen as) one of the most under-read Southern novels. Brace yourself. Beautiful writing, but we are talking WAY dark. It's based on a true event -- the murder of a young mother in a hunting camp owned by a doctor -- that occurred in Brewton, Alabama in 1966.

Allbest,

Melissa Delbridge

I've read that one too! How nice to have kindred spirits here!

And how nice to know when I say "Twilight," others think of William Gay.

And Melissa, How does one get a gig like that...being a judge for Oxford American's Southern Lit Issue? That's got to be my favorite Magazine...even though, I did learn to cuddle up with Harry Crews in Esquire.

They sent me a request shortly after my book came out. It's one of my favorite magazines, too.

Melissa Delbridge

I just got my copy of your book at the library, I'll pick it up Tuesday. I look forward to reading it. Actually, my coworkers have already looked through it, and there are several more holds on it already.

Thanks so much, Suzanne. I hope you enjoy it.

Another good book for a group read is Josh Weil's THE NEW VALLEY. I think it's some of the finest writing I've come across in years!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/boo...

Melissa Delbridge

I'm a Virginia Boy. How bout "Ballad of a Sad Cafe" by Carson McClurres. I was in love with her when I was a teenager. I had a black and white photo of her tapped on the wall right beside my Highwaymen poster.

Hi Billy, I just finished reading all of McCullers novels and a bio. Am still reading her short stories. Absolutely loved Ballad of the Sad Cafe. After reading I watched the movie. It you haven't seen it, catch it on Netflix if you can. It's s real treat. Also saw the movies based on Reflections in a Golden Eye as well as The a heart is a Lonely Hunter.

Im still in love with her. A ghost.

Too funny! Check her out on Youtube. She lives!

Oh seen them certainty. The interview on the ship is creepy as they keep glancing about. I assume its off camera activity of one kind or another. Makes me uncomfortable for some reason.