On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Comments on this board should be written with the assumption that not all readers have finished the book. Please avoid revealing any spoilers.

I’m planning on reading this one. Juggling several this month but not missing this. I read Cold Mountain in December and loved it so know I’ll love Frazier’s prose.

Hi. Cynda here to read Thirteen Moons. Lori asked me to read with as we read at another GR group where we have just finished another Frazier novel. . . . Now that I have posted here, I will be updated. I hope to start later this week.

I really enjoyed this book ... read it a couple of years ago.

I didn't realize until quite a ways into the story that this is based on real-life characters.

I managed to get a copy of this one at the library and started it today. Enjoying it so far.

Well, this is a curious thing I can't explain except to say that I've got a bum book! I just opened the book and started the first few pages. As I always like to do, I like to see how many pages until the end of each chapter. In this instance, I checked to see how long Book One was- 23 pages. Then I noticed that as soon as Book One ended, the title and copyright pages etc, that come at the beginning of every book were printed again and then Book One starts over. At the end of the second Book One, it skips to page 57! Ugh! Never in my life have I seen this! So, needless to say, I must locate another copy and chuck this one in the trash!

What a bummer, Lori! Maybe your library would have the book. I'm hoping to read Thirteen Moons at the end of the month. I committed myself to reading too many good books during the month of January.

I’ll track one down today, hopefully. A glad you are reading with us, Connie.

Franky, I can’t wait to get into it myself. I adored Cold Mountain so I expect the same!

Janice, I had not realized this was based on real people, either. Now, that really piques my interest even more!

I'm listening to the audio version of this book. Will Patton is the perfect narrator!

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

Tom wrote: "I'm listening to the audio version of this book. Will Patton is the perfect narrator!"

Totally agree!

Lori wrote: "Well, this is a curious thing I can't explain except to say that I've got a bum book! I just opened the book and started the first few pages. As I always like to do, I like to see how many pages un..."

That's too bad that that happened Lori. Hopefully you can find a good version. That reminds me of getting a Kindle book and having it skip chapters or having the punctuation or words all off or being amiss in translation. Truly frustrating.

I remember seeing the film for Cold Mountain, but never read the book. I'll have to get to it.

The book is soooooo much better, Franky! I watched the movie after reading Cold Mountain but well…Frazier’s depth of character just didn’t shine on screen for me.

I’ve got a good copy of Thirteen Moons now so I will join in this week!

I requested a copy I can get this coming week. Not sure I can fit it in but I'll try.

I'm another one who has only seen the film version of Cold Mountain.

Will Patten is so good. Love him on James Lee Burke's books but my mind wanders too much so I requested a hard copy.

I started Thirteen Moons last night. There's some great storytelling and "larger than life" characters.

I actually got thru Book 1 and am already wanting to know more about Bear and the Col and Featherstone. And his prose is delectable

If I ever get another chance to meet Charles Frazer, I will have to ask him about his source for the comment about Calhoun's advice on pronouncing the French language. I really hope he did say it. Once I asked Mary Doria Russell about a quote about Texans and it turned out that she was actually borrowing a line from a Molly Ivins column.

I think the storytelling is quite wonderful!

I just started listening to The Power of Myth. It strikes me that Will Cooper is on the hero’s journey to self actualization. Comments?

Terry wrote: "I think the storytelling is quite wonderful!"

I'm still in part 1, and agree about the level of storytelling or passing down of stories. Seems like an integral aspect of the novel.

I'm also liking how books are so prevalent in Will's live as well as Featherstone.

Terry I too just recently read The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell. And I agree with because we see a mysterious older man who seems to come out of nowhere and goes back into nowhere who brings a contract, key, and map.

And like what Franky may be saying--Itvis the old motifs, the stuff handed down generation after generation.

I’ve just finished Part 3 all about the removal to the west to the new territory. This entire section has been enlightening to me and now I want to read John Ehle’s Trail of Tears which I have on my shelf. That last page of the section - wow! I wonder if Will figured that would happen. Not wanting to spoil anything for those who aren’t this far yet. I’ll leave it there.

Here is a link to some pictures of Wayah Bald, which is accessible from the Appalachian Trail.

https://www.romanticasheville.com/way...

The article says that Wayah is a Cherokee word meaning Red Wolf.

What a beautiful view from Wayah Bald, Terry! Thanks for sharing the link.

It really is a gorgeous view. I've never visited the North Carolina side of the Smokies - only the Tennessee side so this area is on my wishlist of places to visit. Asheville is nearby and another place I'd love to see especially with all of the NC settings we've been reading lately!

One of my favorite movies is Last of the Mohicans and part of the reason for my great affection goes to all those scenes filmed in North Carolina. Simply stunning.

I'm early into Part 2 and I could use some feedback. While I find the prose a bit long and plentiful on descriptions, I'm enjoying the cadence and setting of the story. I generally love most stories involving Native Americans and throw in some Highland culture as well and I'm a happy reader.
But . . . even though I know kids grew up much faster back in the day, could an inexperienced 12 year old boy really hold his own in such a card game with those kind of men? I found that difficult to accept.

Very good question, Catherine. I imagine that 12 year old boys in the early 1800’s were much more like men than boys. Nothing like 12 year olds today. Will, having lost both parents and not much love from his family who sold him, probably knew a thing or two about outsmarting his “elders”. He had a teacher who let them play card games, right? And he attributed that to his windfall.

I get what you’re saying bc it seems very unlikely that he could do what he did and on top of that, it was his first liquor wasn’t it? I guess he was a pretty smart and very cunning. Examples of this come later when he’s older and works as a lawyer especially during the removal.

Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "One of my favorite movies is Last of the Mohicans and part of the reason for my great affection goes to all those scenes filmed in North Carolina. Simply stunning.

I'm early into Part 2 and I cou..."

The age thing was having me a little puzzled too, especially his bravado around some of the more experienced men during the gambling. At what age exactly is he describing being a lawyer? Was there a big shift in time from one part to the next that I missed?

It's weird how the time while he's telling his story just seems to pass by without any recognition of it. He just gets older with each new story he tells.

We know he was 12 at the start and Claire was 11 when he meets her the first time. Then they are 17 and 16 the next time they see each other. I think I remember him being early 20's in Washington but that is a guess.

He definitely had some bravado all through his life.

I've finished this tonite and will mull over my rating and review.

Cataloochee is mentioned, what do know.

Yep! It would never have meant a thing until now!

Does this get beyond interesting? I feel like I'm getting a very descriptive history lesson and there's over 300 more pages to go. I guess I'm not connecting well.
And once again questioning things. Page 80, (view spoiler)[When Sir the dog gets gutted by a boar and Bear stuffs all his parts back in and stitches him up, my eyes are rolling a bit thinking there's not a wounded animal on earth that will let someone do that to him without copious amounts of anesthetic. (hide spoiler)]

Tom wrote: "I'm listening to the audio version of this book. Will Patton is the perfect narrator!"

I have read a number of books by James Lee Burke. Will Paton narrates most of them and I'm not sure I could hear him as anyone besides Dave Rovicheaux, etc. (:

Lori wrote: "I’ve just finished Part 3 all about the removal to the west to the new territory. This entire section has been enlightening to me and now I want to read John Ehle’s Trail of Tears which I have on m..."

I felt exactly the same way, and I also have John Ehle's Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation on my bookshelf... but I have not picked it up yet because I realized that the flavor of Frazier's writing was still lingering and I didn't want to dilute it. However, I do have more impetus now to read Ehle's book sometime in the future.

Lori wrote: "I’ve just finished Part 3 all about the removal to the west to the new territory. This entire section has been enlightening to me and now I want to read John Ehle’s Trail of Tears which I have on m..."

I felt exactly the same way, and I also have John Ehle's Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation on my bookshelf... but I have not picked it up yet because I realized that the flavor of Frazier's writing still lingered and I didn't want to dilute it. However, I do have more impetus now to read Ehle's book sometime in the future.