On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Here's the place to begin our discussion. Enjoy.

I read this a while back. I wish there was a four and a half stars. There is so much to be praised about this novel I don't know where to begin. I don't actually belong to any reading group, but I have recommended it to two of my friends' groups. There is something about the various voices that bothered me as it did in The Help, but that is a small quibble that doesn't really get in the way of telling the story. I never do plot summary but I will say that the story takes place in the late 40's in the deep South and that it sort of shares common themes with To Kill a Mockingbird, one of my favorite novels. I forget who recommended this book to me, but thanks! However, don't expect the same performance from her other book, When She Awoke.

I also read this a couple of years ago. I recommended it to people who loved "The Help", only because of the Mississippi setting, with a warning that it was much more serious without the humor to relieve the suspense. But the writing and story line was very powerful.

I've got my copy. But I'll be catching up. I'm immersed (pardon the pun) in Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America by John M. Barry. Y'all carry on. *grin*

Mike S.

I too have a copy but haven't begun yet. Possibly over the coming week. Looking forward to it.

So, I totally blew off an entire Saturday and read the book Mudbound. For as much as I loved the character of Florence, I hated Pappy. While I expected more lines to be crossed, the characters stayed true to the period of the era which made the tale more authentic. I'm not a fan of devoting a chapter per speaker and found myself having to check back with who was telling their part of the story, but the author made it work as a whole. I felt more could have been told at the end or events should have been different, but that's what a good story will do for you - leave you pondering.

I started the book last night with the first chapter. Very impressed just with that snippet. I'm reading multiple books right now so I can't read this quickly (some are library books with deadlines :( ), but I am anticipating a really good read.

Just got my copy today at the library :)

Sue, there will come a point with this book where you can't put it down, so better finish those library books first!

Thanks for the warning Diane. That's what I'm trying to do. So I will be a bit delayed reading this....but it looks so good.

I will be picking up my copy from the library this weekend. :) I am looking forward to it but first I want to finish Johnny Cash The Life by Robert Hilburn

I read this as soon as I nominated it. I could not wait to see if it would be chosen or not. Once I started I could not put it down. As I read it I struggled with "knowing" how it was going to end but deep inside wishing it would end different. However, I still did not want it to end.
I had put this on my to read list almost exactly 2 years ago, and wished I had read it earlier.

I just wrapped up On Writing by Stephen King... great book for writers!! I'll spend about three hours today getting started on Mudbound.

I devoured Mudbound, finishing it a few minutes ago. As we have a subject for final impressions, I'll just leave it at this. This is one heck of a read. The final third of the book gallops to a stunning conclusion.

And, for those who love this novel, Jordan is at work on a sequel to this novel. I'll say that's great news.

Mike S.

I am almost done with Mudbound, I am loving it. It is so good.

Mel wrote: "I am almost done with Mudbound, I am loving it. It is so good."

I'm so happy to know you're enjoying it.

Mike S.

I hope to get back to it this weekend. So looking forward to it.

I read MUDBOUND about a year ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Hilary Jordan did such a great job with her characters perspectives on the events, with the beginning sucking me right into the story. Besides, first sentences are so important, and to me she knocked the ball out of the park, and then just kept going. I have recommended this book to at least three others.

I'm now half way through the book and agree with all the praise I've heard. The writing is excellent and so powerful. I like the alternating points of view which opens the story up so widely.