On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

To mark the month of October and the eeriness of All Hallow's Eve, I looked for something appropriate for the occasion. I think I found just the book to fit the occasion. It's Southern as can be. By an Alabama author. Set in Alabama in the turbulent 1960s when Kluxers roamed freely. It takes place in the fictional town of Zephyr, Alabama, in 1964. It's a tale of racial injustice, good and evil, and murder. Cory Mackenson takes us back to the summer he was twelve when he was riding with his father, helping out on the milk delivery route. A car veers into Saxon Lake. Cory's father attempts to save the driver, only to find the man is already dead. Beaten to death. And that's just the beginning.

My Moderator's Choice is Boy's Life by Birmingham, Alabama, author Robert McCammon. From the 1970s until the early 1990s, McCammon became a best selling author of horror and suspense novels. His name was mentioned in the same sentences along with Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Peter Straub.

Boy's Life won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel in 1991, and the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1992. The novel is consider McCammon's best work.

McCammon left his career as a writer on a long hiatus. He has battled depression. Endured creative differences with his former publisher. He entered the writing world again in 2002 with Speaks the Nightbird, the first of six volumes in the Matthew Corbett historical fiction series.

I hope you enjoy Boy's Life to the degree it lives up to its Bram Stoker Award reputation that you whisper the words of this old Scottish Invocation...

From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!

Happy Reading...

"Lawyer Stevens"

Well done! You have done it again Mr M and I am running to that online bookstore to get this one on order.

Jane wrote: "Well done! You have done it again Mr M and I am running to that online bookstore to get this one on order."

Thank you, Ma'am. I kinda like this one myself. *GRIN*

Yes! You can count me in!

Count me in. I already have it. See you in October!

Tom wrote: "Count me in. I already have it. See you in October!"

Very good, Sir! My First is stateside. Having to "Kindle" this one. A re-read for me, but well worth it.

BTW, Swan Song, think The Stand, is available through Early Bird Books today for $1.99. It was another award winner for McCammon.

Have read many of his books, think he is fabulous. Interesting choice for October. ;-)

Kim wrote: "Have read many of his books, think he is fabulous. Interesting choice for October. ;-)"

Thanks, Kim. I hope folks enjoy it. I began reading McCammon when he first came on the scene. He hit it big. He was an interesting writer. He took the route not to have his earliest works reprinted. He didn't think they were good enough. So, they weren't. Only recently have his earliest works come into print again. They have been published as special editions by Subterranean Press. McCammon has said in looking back at those early efforts they weren't as bad as he had once thought. No. They weren't. In particular, I remember being very impressed with Usher's Passing. Yes, they were descendants of THOSE Ushers, the creation of Poe. They lived in North Carolina. I thought it a particularly good read. I almost went with that one as the Moderator's Choice. However, I think Boy's Life will be much more readily available. And I think it is a much better book, too. :)

Count me in too!

Hopefully count me in. I don't know how much I'll be able to participate in October so I could very well read in advance.

Count me in too. I've wanted to read this but never got around to it. Excellent choice!

It has been in my Kindle library for sometime now; this gives me a push to read it.

Just got my husband to read it. He loved it and has now passed it on to a friend of his who will appreciate this snapshot of the complicated Alabama 60s.

I had my book group read it a few years ago. We tried to get the author to attend - but couldn't persuade him.

I read just about all of them when they were first published, some were better than others, but I always thought him a "find". He writes about his corner of the world with intimacy and affection, while showing us the dark side. In that he is like Stephen King, who at his best is very rooted in his youth in New England. I think of The Body (which became Stand by Me) which was a gem of a story & did not suffer from "bloat" as some of his books tended to do. I do not remember McCammon's style calling attention to itself in an annoying manner as some of SK's works have, but I believe the publishing industry would publish a collection of his grocery lists if they thought they would sell. Anyway, I look forward to revisiting RM's work. Thanks for the choice!

Oh, I'm excited to read this! I've read several by McCammon and enjoyed them. He is a marvelous storyteller. Thanks for the early notice too.

Laura wrote: "Count me in too!"

Good to hear from you, Laura. Hope you, Josh, and budding Reader all well. I look forward to having you join the read!

Brina wrote: "Hopefully count me in. I don't know how much I'll be able to participate in October so I could very well read in advance."

Brina, I do hope you can join us. However, feel free to read in advance and give us early previews of your thoughts.

I read this way back when it first came out. 5 star book !

Diane wrote: "Count me in too. I've wanted to read this but never got around to it. Excellent choice!"

So glad to hear you're in on this one. I really think you'll enjoy this one. Apparently this one is now turning up on school reading curriculums. I was surprised to find there is even a Spark Notes edtion on Boy's Life.

Melody wrote: "Just got my husband to read it. He loved it and has now passed it on to a friend of his who will appreciate this snapshot of the complicated Alabama 60s.

I had my book group read it a few years a..."

Melody, your recounting your book group's experience, passing it on to your husband, who passed it on to a friend, reflects the magic this novel seems to possess for many readers. I've read many goodreaders' reviews who list this among their favorites. There seems to be a special love for this novel among those who discover it. I hope this read proves to be a special one for "The Trail" in October.

I'm not sure why McCammon seems a bit shy in his appearances with book groups. He regularly appears at Jake Reiss's The Alabama Booksmith in Homewood, Alabama, upon the publication of his novels. And he graciously signs copies of his back titles.

McCammon also apparently has a close relationship with Jim Reed who owns Jim Reed Books, also known as "The Museum of Fond Memories" on Third Street in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. Reed always seems to have signed copies of McCammon's out of print early novels. Reed is from my hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a couple of years older than me. His store is a treat to visit. If you've not been there, do drop in. Jim Reed is a pleasure to visit and have a good book talk with him when you do. Very, very knowledgeable. You'll find some real Southern gems there.

I had this confused with This Boy's Life. I'm glad you drew my attention to it as I'm not interested in Wolff's book but this does spark some interest!

Lawyer there are plenty of copies available at my library. As soon as I read the September reads, I am going to get started on the October books.

Sue
I think it's been nominated a few times. I've borrowed from library a few times but never got to it. Looks good.

Kim wrote: "I read just about all of them when they were first published, some were better than others, but I always thought him a "find". He writes about his corner of the world with intimacy and affection, w..."

Hah. I had to laugh at the thought of the publishing industry eagerly retrieving McCammon's grocery lists. "Inside the Life of a Writer." Laughing. Yes. Your comparison between McCammon and King is on point. And I found distinct similarities between the tone of Boy's Life and "The Body." And, yes. You will find that bloat present in works of both authors. It's hard not to compare McCammon's Swan Song with King's The Stand. I was happy to get the selection out early to give folks time to round up copies from libraries and second hand shops. I do think the novel is very much worthy of a read.

M.L. wrote: "Oh, I'm excited to read this! I've read several by McCammon and enjoyed them. He is a marvelous storyteller. Thanks for the early notice too."

M.L. , it's great to know you'll join us in this read. This is McCammon's best!

Sue wrote: "I had this confused with This Boy's Life. I'm glad you drew my attention to it as I'm not interested in Wolff's book but this does spark some interest!"

Sue, this is one I think you can really fall into. I believe you will enjoy it very much. :)

I'm in!

I've already requested the book...especially after seeing the length!

Yes, Sue, McCammon can write some chunky volumes.

Kim wrote: "Yes, Sue, McCammon can write some chunky volumes."

This would be my first. I was surprised at the length but the copy I've requested is quite a bit shorter so I fear the print may be a bit small!

Lawyer wrote: "M.L. wrote: "Oh, I'm excited to read this! I've read several by McCammon and enjoyed them. He is a marvelous storyteller. Thanks for the early notice too."

M.L. , it's great to know you'll join us..."

Thanks, Mike!

On length of book, one thing I've noticed with McCammon is his books go fast--sometimes they seem shorter than works that actually are shorter. Swan Song was a page turner.

Brina wrote: "Lawyer there are plenty of copies available at my library. As soon as I read the September reads, I am going to get started on the October books."

Sigh . . . I am envious. We have a huge library system and they have one copy, two people ahead.

ML- our whole county is one library system plus statewide interlibrary loan. Yay, Ohio. Just ordered my copy. Hopefully I will have time to read it.

We have a huge county-wide system too and it's being transferred from another branch, eventually, but there was only that copy. I think I'll as them to buy another one! :)

I am new to this group and have wanted to read this for a long time. I haven't been able to find it at Half Price Books where I usually book shop. I really want to join in so I will hunt it down.

Melanie, I suggest you check Bookfinders.com. They bring together books from all different places on line into one place. I've gotten great leads there and found books that were at Amazon sellers, abebooks, alibris, etc. It's a great resource.

Melanie wrote: "I am new to this group and have wanted to read this for a long time. I haven't been able to find it at Half Price Books where I usually book shop. I really want to join in so I will hunt it down."

Melanie, this is available as an e-book, should you not be able to track down a paper copy. It is also available in many libraries. It is considered the best of all McCammon's work, having been awarded the Bram Stoker Award and the World Fantasy Award. Looking forward to your joining us for the read. It is a good one.

Sue wrote: "Melanie, I suggest you check Bookfinders.com. They bring together books from all different places on line into one place. I've gotten great leads there and found books that were at Amazon sellers, ..."

Thanks Sue! Got it ordered!

Lawyer wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I am new to this group and have wanted to read this for a long time. I haven't been able to find it at Half Price Books where I usually book shop. I really want to join in so I will..."

Thanks for the advice. Got it on the way! I'm looking forward to joining in the discussions.

Great book, one of my favorites.

Mike, the library has my copy so I will be able to read in advance. Looking forward to being able to participate.

Started this because had nothing to read it is WONDERFUL

It s a five star read and cannot wait for our discussions in October

Thank you for choosing this !

Jane wrote: "Started this because had nothing to read it is WONDERFUL

It s a five star read and cannot wait for our discussions in October

Thank you for choosing this !"

What is this "nothing to read" of which you speak? Lol

Smile nothing to read thanks to none of my orders turning up then they all arrived together yesterday ;)

Oh the joys of the postman s holidays ! :)

Got my used copy in the mail yesterday and it looks brand-spankin' new :-)). Can't wait to read this with everyone! Thanks again Sue for the Bookfinder's tip!

Got my copy as well. Hope to read next week.

Melanie wrote: "Got my used copy in the mail yesterday and it looks brand-spankin' new :-)). Can't wait to read this with everyone! Thanks again Sue for the Bookfinder's tip!"

I'm glad that helped, Melanie. I've found it to be very helpful and the books seem to be pretty much as advertised at each of the sellers.

I'm reading it and really enjoying it. I had to start early so I would not get behind on other group reads. Great story.

I started early too and ended up reading it very quickly, in spite of its length. I was so caught up in the story. I found it was every bit as good as everyone has been saying.