On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Come by Diane or Mike's place for Halloween. You won't get a rock in your sack like Charlie Brown. Over dinner in Mt. Pleasant, SC, and a few Margaritas and Mojitos, we decided to go all out. Here's a whole plate of treats. Take one, two, or all THREE!

A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner.

The Night of the Hunter by West Virginia author Davis Grubb. You can even have a book, a dinner and a movie with this one.

"The Night of the Hunter" was filmed by Charles Laughton in 1955. It was the only film directed by Laughton. The cast was great, starring Robert Mitchum as an evil evil man impersonating a preacher who marries a widow in the attempt to find $10,000 stolen by her former husband who stole the money in a robbery. Mitchum will scare the B'Jesus out of you. The screenplay? By none other than James Agee.

The novel is available as a Nook Book for $.99. Also, readily available as a paperback. The film is readily available as a DVD in several editions.



"Oh, Chillll-drennn."

And one last treat...

Twilight: A Novel by William Gay for all you folks who've been working so hard to get Provinces of Night to the top of the list. Twilight: A Novel will definitely give you the chills this October.

So, treat yourself as little or as much as you'd like. Diane and I believe in handing out the good stuff. No tricks, now.

I'll just add for those of you not familiar with it, "A Rose for Emily" is actually a short story. I have a book titled "Selected Short Stories of William Faulkner" that includes it, but since it's one of his better known stories, it's included in a lot of story collections. I haven't read any of these Halloween options, but am looking forward to them all.

I just started "Twilight" with some trepidation, since darkness and evil are not really my favorite things to read about. Can't believe how good it is. I have errands to run this afternoon, but I'm reading instead.

Diane wrote: "I just started "Twilight" with some trepidation, since darkness and evil are not really my favorite things to read about. Can't believe how good it is. I have errands to run this afternoon, but I..."

I spoke to William Gay about Twilight when he signed my copy. He told me if I thought the villains in his previous works were evil, wait until I read this one. He was right. This one is one dark tale. And it is classic William Gay. He was one of the most amenable authors I have met. Right up there with Ron Rash, Charles Frasier and Clyde Edgerton, each open, and generous with their time. I miss Gay's easy going way. The day he showed up for the Twilight signing he walked into The Alabama Booksmith in carpenter's overalls, asked where the bathroom was. Jake Reiss asked when he came out if he was ready to sign. He said he would be after he stepped out to "burn one." I asked him if he minded company. "Ah, no. Come on." I probably delayed the signing a few minutes. But it was a great time.

There is a quote from Night of the Hunter at the beginning of part 2. "Don't he never sleep?". What a coincidence.

Hmmm, I just realized "A Rose" is included in the anthology I'm currently reading The Dark Descent, killin' two birds with one stone.

I pulled up my old review of The Night of the Hunter this evening.


My review of "The Night of the Hunter"

Coming tomorrow, a revised edition with EXTRAS, including Charles Laughton reading from the novel. Fun stuff.

Moderator on duty. Ever vigilant. We never sleep. *ahem*

I haven't read "A Rose for Emily" since college. Definitely time for another go round.

Just finished "Twilight". To anyone on the fence about this one, READ IT! Just incredible. Now I'm on to William Faulkner short stories which includes "A Rose for Emily". Just as soon as I detox from William Gay, which may take a day or two.

"A Rose for Emily" is the 3rd story in my Selected Stories of William Faulkner. Since this is hailed as one of the most widely anthologized short stories, I'm not sure how I've missed reading it all these years. But what a great story! Even on a screened porch on a beautiful sunny day with flowers all around and birds singing, there was a growing feeling of dread and premonition while reading, and definitely goosebumps at the end.
This was Faulkner's first short story published in a national magazine. (The Forum, in April of 1930.). For anyone wanting to read this without chasing it down, it can be found at xroads.virginia.edu. Schmoop .com has a lot of information on this story as well.

Diane, thanks for the tip about finding "A Rose for Emily" on the web. I had to do some searching to find it but here is the complete URL to go to it directly: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~DRBR/wf_r...

Larry wrote: "Diane, thanks for the tip about finding "A Rose for Emily" on the web. I had to do some searching to find it but here is the complete URL to go to it directly: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~DRBR/wf_r..."

Good work, Larry. Thanks!

Thanks, Larry. I posted on my nook and can't do links from it. The actual link is a great improvement.

I found my Collected Stories of William Faulkner so now I can read the story.

Sue wrote: "I found my Collected Stories of William Faulkner so now I can read the story."

That's what I'm using. It is old, battered, well used, loved, hated, cursed, noted, annotated, scribbled with the immoderate comments of youth such as "What the H...?" One of the more pleasant facets of the aging process is the realization of patience, hard to learn, but much valued once it is present. *grin*

Diane wrote: ""A Rose for Emily" is the 3rd story in my Selected Stories of William Faulkner. Since this is hailed as one of the most widely anthologized short stories, I'm not sure how I've missed reading it a..."
I recently re-read this story and came to the conclusion that what at first seems a horror story is really much more. Miss Emily is surely a case in abnormal psychology, but in a sense she belongs to, and is treasured by the community in the story (the entire community tells the story--"we said, we did.") Yet she has contempt for "what people say," and refuses to accept their values or judgments. She will not let herself be pitied, or thought of as an old maid. And in the end she will not be jilted. She keeps Homer Barron as her lover--but on her own horrific terms. The ultimate in human pride?

I agree, Kaye. She certainly lived her life on her own terms. And I loved the community voice as narrator. The third paragraph explains it. "Alive, Miss Emily had been a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town".

A Rose for Emily was a great choice for an October book. In a series of flashbacks, the narrator tells the reader about Emily's life. Emily was alone in the world because her father had driven away all her suitors. There were few roles open to women other than being a wife and mother in the early 20th Century. She later meets a Northerner, but "he was not a marrying man," and disappeared. We see the world move on as the reclusive Emily remains stuck in traditional times in a changing Southern town. After her death, the townspeople learn about her hidden life.

Faulkner used many Gothic elements in this short story--an old dusty mansion, death, the smell of decay, and an eccentric woman with a mental illness. The last sentence is shocking--a perfect ending to the story.

“Twilight” is my first William Gay and a rare read in the Horror genre for me. I am reading it because it is the October Moderator’s Choice. Halloween, you know. It was also available cheap on Kindle. I probably wouldn’t have selected it to read except all those factors came together! And I was feeling bold, brave and willing to try something different. So I am giving it a go, and you know I will let you know what I think!

Connie wrote: "A Rose for Emily was a great choice for an October book. In a series of flashbacks, the narrator tells the reader about Emily's life. Emily was alone in the world because her fathe..."

Exactly, Connie. Excellent analysis!

Larry wrote: "“Twilight” is my first William Gay and a rare read in the Horror genre for me. I am reading it because it is the October Moderator’s Choice. Halloween, you know. It was also available cheap on Kind..."

Oh, Larry. It is decidedly different. Rough, raw, and horrific. We may not always agree on our opinion of a book, but I always respect that you DO tell us what you think. I'm working on my review today. I will be including interviews with William Gay on writing and his influences.

Connie, I chose this without having read it before, and it turned out to be perfect for the Halloweenish theme. I think it's intetesting that this was Faulkner's first short story published in a national magazine. I'm reading the other stories in this collection, but this is easily my favorite. Although there is one titled "Beyond" that's about an agnostic judge who dies and goes (somewhere/heaven?) to search for his son who died when the boy was 10. That was a good one too.

Larry, we count on you letting us know what you think! It's a source of great satisfaction when you do actually like a book.

Diane wrote: "Larry, we count on you letting us know what you think! It's a source of great satisfaction when you do actually like a book."

And I occasionally do like a book. Though I must admit that I am trying to counter the GR tendency to over praise and under criticize. The GR scale has three positive, one so-so and one negative rating. I think that some readers must decline to ever review books they might give one or two stars. Like Cash, we are More Kind to a fault. (Just my opinion, as some like to say!)

Mike wrote: "It is decidedly different. Rough, raw, and horrific."

As you well know, these are aspects that sometimes get the best of me. Though, so far, I am pleased to find some subtle and not so subtle humor from Gay. I often read reviews before and while I read a book, so I hope to read yours soon. Your added kernels are almost always enlightening.

Larry wrote: "Though I must admit that I am trying to counter the GR tendency to over praise and under criticize. "

A year or so ago I was noticing my ratings were fairly high (loads of 4 stars) and thought I may have been too generous. As I looked at what I was reading I realized that I was much more selective about the books I chose. I have a good core of reviewers I follow here on GR that have really cut down on the amount of junk I read. I used to pick up books on a whim but that doesn't happen much anymore. So for me, it's not that I don't review bad books, I am just more selective about what I read.

Good insight. I'm the same way. When it is stuff I just happen upon (or win via the giveaways etc.) I find my ratings are pretty dang critical. When it's the stuff that's already more in my wheelhouse I tend to get higher ratings.

Josh and Ctgt, good observation: selective reading. I have been reading many of the books suggested by this group that I probably would not have read otherwise. And I do not think I have a "wheelhouse" anymore if I ever did. Used books in series that I bought some years ago because I liked one or more companion books seem less appealing then they did back then - even from just a couple of years ago. Selecting from books I could get used for 99 cents did limit my range. Now that I am occasionally getting current popular e-books from my online library, I am reading some books with more currency. (And I may have overstated my jealously: when I get a dozen Likes, I am very happy. Any Likes that pop up on old reviews are a treat, too. And I have quite a few old reviews of books most of you will never read or even pass by!)

Great choices for the reads. I've read two out of three. I'll look into getting a copy of Gay's novel.

And Mitchum's performance as Preacher in The Night of the Hunter is impeccable. Very creepy.

Friends, we only have so many books in our lives, and the sea is full of trash, I wish you good reading and keep those honest reviews coming so all my dreams will come true.

And William Gay's Twilight was my first of his and I was enthralled... this quiet man in a small place creating great art.

Josh wrote: "Good insight. I'm the same way. When it is stuff I just happen upon (or win via the giveaways etc.) I find my ratings are pretty dang critical. When it's the stuff that's already more in my wheelho..."

Ctgt wrote: "A year or so ago I was noticing my ratings were fairly high (loads of 4 stars) a..."

I'd say we're all playing in the same band here. I rely heavily on reviews of friends, critical reviews, and the advice of a number of Indie booksellers. I've pretty much vetted a book before I fork over the cash for it. I have my two star reviews, and even been questioned why they weren't one star reviews. I was just reading Ned's comment above, "the sea is full of trash." True. I try to weed out those reads from the get-go. It saves a lot of frustration and time. And if a reader knows a book has characteristics or themes that do not appeal, why bang the head against the wall reading it? Again, a nod to Ned. We only have so many books in our lives. I recently opened a book bub account. It is a rare occasion that I take advantage of an offer there. The exception occurs when something like A Tidewater Morning pops up for $1.99.

Franky wrote: "Great choices for the reads. I've read two out of three. I'll look into getting a copy of Gay's novel.

And Mitchum's performance as Preacher in The Night of the Hunter is impeccable. Very creepy."

I've had great fun with the October Mod. Selections, having read both group reads. Glad you picked up the William Gay. I'll be interested in your thoughts. I have to pull my Collected Stories of William Faulkner off the shelf to read "A Rose for Emily." And, you're right. Mitchum was perfect as Harry Powell in "Night of the Hunter."

OKay, I'm intrigued. Just pick it up, Twilight. Such a well rounded discussion.

Larry wrote: "I have been reading many of the books suggested by this group that I probably would not have read otherwise."

Good point Larry. I have picked up books that would never have even popped up on my radar in the past. William Gay? No way.(Ahhh... I didn't really try that, honest). I still have been burned from time to time with that. I applaud you for going outside your comfort zone. I know you haven't been thrilled with some of the darker books we have read recently but here's hoping this one strikes a chord with you.

Ctgt wrote: "I applaud you for going outside your comfort zone."

The other side of that issue is: Since you only have so much time to read, why waste your time reading books you don't like? Sometimes you take a leap and find a book that you really like, but I may lay off my exploratory bravado soon if I find it too often leads to books that are only so-so for me. I guess that is where taking recommendations from people you trust comes in. I have not developed that personal resource very well. The new thing on GR where you can sample a book is probably something I should try out.

Everyone has different preferences in their types of reading as well. Some people like plot driven books with lots of action, others like interior dialogue novels, where most of the action and change goes on inside a characters head and heart, which is my own preference. And I can't read a poorly written book, no matter how highly someone else thinks of it. Of course, that is subjective also, I've had people tell me that "Fifty Shades of Gray" is the best book they've ever read.

OK, I am putting down Twilight to move on to something else. I made it a quarter of the way through the book and got past the nigger and the queer. (Well, that is the way some people talk.) But I get to the part where Tyler goes to the sheriff to report that Sutter is verbally threatening him and his sister. The sheriff says,

Listen close to me, Tyler. I’m going to explain something to you. You’re young and you ain’t been around and you’ve got a lot to learn. You take a man wants something real bad and don’t get it, he’s likely to say some things he don’t mean. Sort of in the heat of the moment, you might say. When he cools down a bit, it’ll all be forgot. Likely he’s done forgot it, and you worrying yourself to death about it.

And then, as Tyler is leaving, the deputy allows as how he "Wouldn’t mind takin little sister a round myself."

There is a level of anti-black, anti-gay, anti-woman presentation that saps my ability to tolerate Twilight. The negative people vastly outnumber the positive. (If there are any positive!) No sense "worrying yourself to death about it."

Read on! Something else for me! Maybe some Annie Dillard. I feel better already.

I know exactly what you mean. My ability to tolerate goes just so far with violence and with dark and grim. There's so very much of that in the world. You read it and realize that it has happened to someone, somewhere. I'd much rather make a positive effort toward eradicating the things that bring the darkness about. For me, that happens through teaching.

Diane wrote: "Connie, I chose this without having read it before, and it turned out to be perfect for the Halloweenish theme. I think it's intetesting that this was Faulkner's first short story published in a n..."

Diane, this is the first time I've read anything written by Faulkner. I'm up to my ears in books now, but might try some more Faulkner short stories or a novel next year.

Larry wrote: "OK, I am putting down Twilight to move on to something else. I made it a quarter of the way through the book and got past the nigger and the queer. (Well, that is the way some people talk.) But I g..."

I'd say Gay accomplished his purpose then.....he wants you to not like the system and circumstance these kids find themselves in. He makes them evil, he makes the cards stacked against the kids. But that said, I get your distaste. There have been a few places in other books where I found myself thinking- "this isn't healthy for me to continue".

Patricia wrote: "I know exactly what you mean."

Thanks, Patricia, I needed that! I guess I get my grim from the PBS Newshour with stories about ISIS and Ebola.

I have always thought the horror genre was not one of my favorites ( I guess because I have only read one of Stephen King's books) but when I look back at some of my reads, I noticed several lie in this category and I always look forward to the celebration of Halloween and try to choose several reads at this time of year that get me in the the mood. I think it is more the psychological part of these reads that I find so interesting. I have a copy of The Night of the Hunter and have had it on my to read list for so long and I am very glad that it has been chosen as one of our moderator's choices. I actually saw the movie starring Robert Mitchum first and that is what made me want to read the book.

I also plan to read A Rose for Emily. I have it in a copy of The Dark Descent. It is advertised as an Horror Anthology but I have read several of the authors from this book and I still say it is the psychological aspects of the novels and short stories that I like.

I also have Twilight on my to read list, but after reading some of the comments I am wondering if it might be too graphic for me. Maybe, I will see if I can find a copy from the library and give it a try.

Thanks for the nominations
Beverly

Beverly wrote: "I have always thought the horror genre was not one of my favorites ( I guess because I have only read one of Stephen King's books) but when I look back at some of my reads, I noticed several lie i..."

Beverly, Diane and I had a great time coming up with October's choices. I can recommend the Faulkner and "Night of the Hunter" without any reservation. "Twilight" is dark, indeed. It is not for everyone. In my review I specifically said it is not for the squeamish. Having said that, if you can pick it up at the library, it is worth giving it a look. William Gay was a magnificent writer. The novel is a page turner. However, if it becomes too dark for you, put it to the side.

Beverly, I am not a fan of dark, violent books as a rule, but Gay's prose carries this one beyond the norm. He gets inside the minds of his characters, and sometimes what he finds isn't pretty. The scary thing to me is knowing that people like Sutter and Breece really do exist.

Larry wrote: "Read on! Something else for me! Maybe some Annie Dillard. I feel better already. ..."

Ah, I've been absorbed by Annie Dillard lately and she is the balm to many bad reads.

finished and loved A Rose for Emily. Trenton reminds me of the darkness of Ethan Frome and We Have Always Lived in the Castlebut of course with all the southern gothic elements.

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Larry wrote: "Read on! Something else for me! Maybe some Annie Dillard. I feel better already. ..."

Ah, I've been absorbed by Annie Dillard lately and she is the balm to many bad reads."

I've recently returned to Dillard, too.

Just finished The Night of the Hunter and it held me in suspense even though I had seen the movie. It is a great book to read especially for this time of year!

"Night of the Hunter" is excellent. Thanks Mike, for this choice for October, because it's not something I would have chosen for myself. Having read William Gay's "Twilight" before this one, I consider Sutter and Preacher two sides of the same coin, but Preacher was scarier to me, because he used God and religion to achieve his purposes with naive people who trusted him because of this. Sutter was a dangerous psycopath as well, but he was just an evil presence without the hypocrisy. Enough with the scare tactics, I'm on to something cheerier!