On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

It is hard to believe we look to a New Year On The Southern Literary Trail. 2018 will mark our Sixth Birthday. So I'm calling for your Nominations to ring in the New Year to kick off another series of your choices of phenomenal reads.

I look forward to receiving each of your nominations and wish each each of you in advance a very Happy New Year.

Lawyer Stevens

I'd like to kick it off by nominating This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash for post-1980 and Follow Me Down by Shelby Foote for the pre-1980.

I don't know how long it's been since this was read as a group, but I think it's worthy and perhaps timely considering the debate ongoing in some Southern states over confederate memorials, so I nominate for post-1980: Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War

I'm going to recommend the following humorous novel one more time:

The Lemon Jell-O Syndrome for post-1980 recommendation.

I nominate Elkhorn Tavern. This is a Civil War novel that takes place in Arkansas, in an area that has both Northern and Southern sympathizers. The Battle of Pea Ridge, or Elkhorn Tavern is not one I knew about before, but it's excellently researched, and even more interesting to me, concerns the way the war intrudes on and destroys civilians caught in the crosshairs. The book was originally published in 1980, so I leave it to Mike to figure out which category it belongs in.

For pre-1980, may I please nominate Tennessee Williams’ The Night of the Iguana?

Tom wrote: "I'd like to kick it off by nominating This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash for post-1980 and Follow Me Down by Shelby Foote for the pr..."

Done, Tom. 2 for 2. Major computer meltdown. Replies will be brief for now.

Perry wrote: "I don't know how long it's been since this was read as a group, but I think it's worthy and perhaps timely considering the debate ongoing in some Southern states over confederate memorials, so I no..."

Thanks, Perry. Done.

John wrote: "I'm going to recommend the following humorous novel one more time:

Thanks, John. Done.

Diane wrote: "I nominate Elkhorn Tavern. This is a Civil War novel that takes place in Arkansas, in an area that has both Northern and Southern sympathizers. The Battle of Pea Ridge, or Elkhorn Ta..."

Thanks, Diane. Done, Post 1980 on basis of post Jan 1, 1980.

Perry wrote: "For pre-1980, may I please nominate Tennessee Williams’ The Night of the Iguana?

"

Thanks, Perry. Done.

From Nick via email Taps for Private Tussie byJesse Stuart, Pre and A Mercy byToni Morrison Post. Done.

I've lost count of the nominations already up, but if you need another post- I'd like to nominate Father and Son By Larry Brown.
Father and Son Larry Brown

Looks like it's been a while since the group last read it.

For Pre- I'd like to try one more time with Hunter's Horn, By Harriet Simpson Arnow, Hunter's Horn
Hunter's Horn

Tom wrote: "I'd like to kick it off by nominating This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash for post-1980 and Follow Me Down by Shelby Foote for the pr..."
Follow Me Down - this has been on my list a very long time. Tom, I second this nomination.

Post 1980 - by Leah Weiss

Post 1980 -

That Bright Land

In the summer of 1866, Jacob Ballard, a former Union soldier and spy, is dispatched by the War Department in Washington City to infiltrate the isolated North Carolina mountain community where he was born and find the serial killer responsible for the deaths of Union veterans.

Based on true events, That Bright Land is the story of a violent and fragile nation in the wake of the Civil War and a man who must exorcise his own savage demons while tracking down another.

Dustincecil wrote: "I've lost count of the noLarry Brownminations already up, but if you need another post- I'd like to nominate Father and Son By Larry Brown.
Father and Son Larry Brown

Looks like ..."

You're right, DC. Father and Son by Larry Brown is nominated Post-1980. Thank you!

Nominations for the Post-1980 Category are now closed. Thanks to those who have submitted additional nominations. I hope you will resubmit those titles when I once again call for nominations on December 15, 2017.

Dustincecil wrote: "For Pre- I'd like to try one more time with Hunter's Horn, By Harriet Simpson Arnow, Hunter's Horn
Hunter's Horn"

Thanks for this nomination, DC. It has previously been submitted, but always been the bridesmaid. Perhaps this will be its time!

Oooh, here's to Hunter's Horn getting to the post at last.

One more time. I would like to nominate Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston for a pre 1980 read. Thanks.

Judi wrote: "Once more time. I would like to nominate Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston for a pre 1980 read. Thanks."

Aha! Thanks, Judi. We're one closer to our needed nominations for Pre-1980 choices. Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston is nominated.

A tech note having no particular bearing on our discussion topic. I had a computer meltdown when I had a small spill of tea on my laptop. I was crippled. reduced to two finger hunt and peck typing on a small screen key board on an eight inch screen tablet. I highly recommend an Infiland bluetooth keyboard specifically designed for my Samsung Tab E. Cost $28.00. Easily pairs to the device and a variety of others. It is a quick fix until my beloved ASUS is repaired or replaced. Course, all you young'uns already knew about what I consider a new fangled wonder. AHEM...

Okay, I'll run The Miller of Old Church by Ellen Glasgow up the flagpole again. It's free at Project Gutenberg if funds are a problem.

Here is a contemporary review of the book, if you're wondering how it would suit your tastes.

Glasgow was a major figure in early 20th century Southern literature, and a pioneering presenter of women as powerful agents in their own right.

I love Ellen Glasgow, but haven't read this one.

I will nominate The Women on the Porch

Lawyer wrote: "A tech note having no particular bearing on our discussion topic. I had a computer meltdown when I had a small spill of tea on my laptop. I was crippled. reduced to two finger hunt and peck typing ..."

Along similar lines, I just signed up for a year of file backup (1 Tb) from iDrive for just $15. Regardless of whether my house burns down, I spill my 'tea', or my computer just decides to give me the finger. I now know that I can retrieve all of my data. It's a comforting feeling.

Sara I just added it. Sounds really nice.

Richard wrote: "Okay, I'll run The Miller of Old Church by Ellen Glasgow up the flagpole again. It's free at Project Gutenberg if funds are a problem.

Here is a contemporary review..."

Many thanks, Richard. I especially admire your repeated nomination of Glasgow's The Miller of Old Church as this is an author not previously read by the group. I admit I have not read her novels. But I have read much about her and her writing. I think she remains among one if the undiscovered treasures along the Trail. I am a volunteer and on the Board of our Friends of our Public Library in a University City. We frequently receive donations from faculty. I have bought fine editions of many Southern authors not commonly read today. Recently I picked up three volumes of Glasgow. I mine the Southern Literature shelves each day I work the store. Although I have read of her, it is your regard for her that will lead me to read Glasgow. Thanks, my friend.

Nominations for ALL group reads for January, 2018, are now closed. I will broadcast a message when the Polls are open for voting. My thanks to all for participating.

Lawyer

Lawyer wrote: "Many thanks, Richard. I especially admire your repeated nomination of Glasgow's The Miller of Old Church as this is an author not previously read by the group. I admit I have not read her novels. But I have read much about her and her writing. I think she remains among one if the undiscovered treasures along the Trail. I am a volunteer and on the Board of our Friends of our Public Library in a University City. We frequently receive donations from faculty. I have bought fine editions of many Southern authors not commonly read today. Recently I picked up three volumes of Glasgow. I mine the Southern Literature shelves each day I work the store. Although I have read of her, it is your regard for her that will lead me to read Glasgow. Thanks, my friend."

Heh, and here I was expecting to be chastised as a stubborn old coot. Glasgow's absence from the overall public conversation about Southern identity and creativity seems to me a genuine impoverishment. Her work is really *of* her place and time. Her life was atypical and therefore extremely telling in regards to expectations and demands made of women in her time and class. It's a pity to lose her in the fog of maleness that bestrides our sense of Southernness.

Kindle has a couple different versions of Glasgow’s complete books available, 11 books included. No price listed on my mobile app, which may mean it is free as they often offer books out of copyright as freebies to entice readers to use the service. I also found a paperback of the nominated book for $6 and change, so I ordered it to read no matter what happens with the vote.

Richard wrote: "Lawyer wrote: "Many thanks, Richard. I especially admire your repeated nomination of Glasgow's The Miller of Old Church as this is an author not previously read by the group. I admit I have not rea..."

Yep. For Example, in regard to Hunter's HornFrom The Oxford Book of Women's Writing in the United States; "Arnow's 'Hunter's Horn' seems to be the story of the hard driving Kentuckian Nunn Ballew...[but] Milly is the true protagonist of the book as she bonds with other women in the same degrading circumstances, understands the children, and tries to help Nunn get through his barren life. For today's readers, Milly Ballew is a much more positive character than she appeared to be in 1949: she is a woman who survives intact."

Ahem. Sorry it wasn't directly about Glasgow. Couldn't immediately lay hands on the reference I wanted. BUT, it does address that issue of the perception of predominance of maleness in the South.

Tom wrote: "Lawyer wrote: "A tech note having no particular bearing on our discussion topic. I had a computer meltdown when I had a small spill of tea on my laptop. I was crippled. reduced to two finger hunt a..."

Thanks for the tip, Tom. I'll follow up on that. My data should be transferable if the motherboard is too corroded. But, for the future, I like your suggestion.

Sara wrote: "I will nominate The Women on the Porch"

Thanks, Sara. Making a note of that one to check out.

Joyce Carol Oates called Hunter’s Horn “our most unpretentious American masterpiece”.

Lawyer wrote: "Ahem. Sorry it wasn't directly about Glasgow. Couldn't immediately lay hands on the reference I wanted. BUT, it does address that issue of the perception of predominance of maleness in the South."

It's a perception that needs vigorous, constant and consistent puncturing, popping, paddling...there's an unending battle to be fought in our culture in general to acknowledge the centrality of women to the life, liberty and happiness of the less-perfect-than-ever union.

I'd argue Caroline Miller's delicious Lamb in his Bosom was another foundational myth misattributed to manliness. Look at her Wikipedia entry. The ONLY personal information in it is about her supposed debt to a man for historical research, and the gentleman's still-living daughter is mentioned.

I promise you faithfully that, had the byline been his and the research hers, no such imbalance would exist. It's extremely exasperating.

The old story of the power of the pen being wielded by men. It is very distressing. I thought things would be better for my daughters, but they are having to re-fight my fights, and my mother’s, et al. My great-grandmother became first female superior court judge in Ohio, this despite losing her husband to suicide and raising children on her own. We are big on the women having a place in the sun.

Kim wrote: "The old story of the power of the pen being wielded by men. It is very distressing. I thought things would be better for my daughters, but they are having to re-fight my fights, and my mother’s, et..."

My mother was a single-by-choice parent, started work outside the home at 50, and never stopped climbing her ladder until *forced* to retire (by a man, gasp) at 72 (the aforementioned man was 77 at the time and no, he didn't have to retire due to "advanced age").

My daughter is a stay-at-home mom, also by choice; it was hard for me to accept that it was her choice until she expressed her desire not to pay other people to do the job she actually wanted to do.

Expectations are *really*hard* to avoid lumbering our world with.

I love your daughter's story, Richard, because what we original "woman's rights" women wanted was a woman's right to choose for herself. Not to be barred from the professional world if she wanted that, but certainly not to be forced to leave her children and work either. I still think no job is as rewarding as being a good parent--nor any more important. So, my hat is off to her for doing what she WANTS to do in that regard.

I was a “working” mom with my first 2 children as I was a Naval officer and committed to serve for a period of time. After I had my third child we moved to England and I was an “at home” mum. Neither path was easy, both had pluses and minuses. Choices are not always choices, and even when we make them, we can be frustrated. But our kids need someone with them, and a parent is often the best choice. Wish our society valued parenting more and made it easier for the parents.

Kim wrote: "Wish our society valued parenting more and made it easier for the parents."

All the way there with you on that one!

Sara wrote: "I love your daughter's story, Richard, because what we original "woman's rights" women wanted was a woman's right to choose for herself...I still think no job is as rewarding as being a good parent--nor any more important. So, my hat is off to her for doing what she WANTS to do in that regard."

It was really hard for me to sit quietly by and not criticize as the son of a mother who *hated* mothering...but not the father of a woman who adored it. It's confusing. But what about being a parent isn't?

I am not complaining, just curious. I have never nominated before, so I was wondering why my nomination was not accepted. I'd like to know for future reference in case I ever want to try again.

Sara
I think 5 post 1980 had been submitted before the nomination. I'm looking at using the app so I may not be exact.

Sara wrote: "I am not complaining, just curious. I have never nominated before, so I was wondering why my nomination was not accepted. I'd like to know for future reference in case I ever want to try again."

Hi, Sara. We take six nominations in the Pre-1980 and Post-1980 categories. In message 19 above I announced nominations for the Post-1980 category were closed. We had received our six nominations. I'm always excited to see nominations come in from readers who haven't nominated before. I encourage you to continue to nominate. Be aware that the Post-1980 slots fill up fast. Please, don't think any criticism is implied, but do you receive announcements that nominations are being accepted? I only ask because I broadcast a message to all members when nominations are open. I know not all members have selected to receive group messages in their group settings as the number of messages sent is consistently less than the actual number of our members. Just know I would never intentionally ignore any member's nomination. If I decline a nomination I offer an explanation.

Mike

I think Sara’s Nomination should get first slot in February nominations.

Oh no, Kim, not necessary. I will try to nominate again earlier next time. I appreciate the explanation, Mike. I did not think I was being summarily dismissed, I just couldn't figure out if it was ineligible for some reason. I now understand exactly why it was excluded for being too late. I am generally very happy with the nominations and discover some books I would not ever come across otherwise. I didn't want it to seem that I was upset (I was not), I just couldn't figure it out and wanted to ask.

Again, thanks Laura, Mike and Kim. I appreciate your speedy answers!