On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

For those of you enjoying Swamplandia , Wolf Whistle is a similarly quirky, gruesome, and magical read. It's lovingly rendered by the under-appreciated Lewis Nordan, whose books are some of the funniest and loveliest books ever written. There is a chapter in Wolf Whistle narrated by a character's eyeball; it's Southern gothic at its finest but elevated to one of the most beautiful passages of fiction I've ever read.

Laura wrote: "For those of you enjoying Swamplandia , Wolf Whistle is a similarly quirky, gruesome, and magical read. It's lovingly rendered by the under-appreciated Lewis Nordan, whose books are some of the ..."

Laura, Lewis Nordan always makes for a great read. His works are all set in Arrowcatcher, Mississippi. One reviewer has described him as Faulkner on laughing gas. I agree.

Nordan died in April, 2012. Following is Clyde Edgerton's remembrance of him which appeared in the Paris Review in August, 2012. It's well worth the read:

"The Southern Underbelly: Remembering Lewis Nordan"

http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/20...

Mike

Mike, I didn't realize he had an obit in The Paris Review! I look forward to reading it. M.O. Walsh wrote a lovely one in Oxford American (that I can't find online). I think it was in an issue with William Gay's obituary. Anyway, it's a great tribute, mentions everybody's favorite Tom Franklin, and is a great recommendation for Music of the Swamp. When I asked Tom this fall if he'd given my husband his first Lewis Nordan, he responded, "Damn, I hope so."

Laura wrote: "Mike, I didn't realize he had an obit in The Paris Review! I look forward to reading it. M.O. Walsh wrote a lovely one in Oxford American (that I can't find online). I think it was in an issue with..."

Yes. It was Issue 77, which included Tom Franklin's remembrance of William Gay. The obituary for Lewis Nordan doesn't appear to be listed in the online selections for that issue. However, should you have back hard titles, it is The Best of the South, 2012, June, 2012.

Mike

I'd add to the review about laughing gas that Buddy Nordan was also a hell of a lot sweeter than Faulkner. I've never read characters more lovingly written.

Nordan's riff on the ancient buzzards watching the swamp is the best, most cutting, take-down of the South's most enduring problem anybody could ever hope to write, IMHO. This problem isn't racism. It isn't poverty and ignorance. It's the problem of power -- the will to power -- that gave birth to the unholy litter that is all the other problems that plague the South. (And the rest of the country too, but that isn't Nordan's concern.)

It could only have been written by a son who loves it. It reminds me of Will D. Campbell. I wonder if those two ever met.

And the Luger gave power to Solon. Guns, stupidity and power is a bad combination anywhere. I think you're right about Nordan and his love for the area and it's people.

I picked up a hardcover signed edition for two dollars yesterday at my local used book store!!

Way to go Marty!!!!!

Great find, Marty! That's one of the joys of used book stores, it's almost like a treasure hunt.