On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

Appalachian/Ozark literature is really where my heart is. I found this list on Goodreads and thought I'd share. I can vouch for most of the books at the top ... But I don't think Tall Woman should be number 66. It should definitely be in the top 3. lol.

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/29...Tall Woman

Mary wrote: "Appalachian/Ozark literature is really where my heart is. I found this list on Goodreads and thought I'd share. I can vouch for most of the books at the top ... But I don't think Tall Woman shou..."

I'm surprised Hunger Games is all the way down at the bottom! I thought it topped every list it could possibly be on! And I'm also surprised there's only one Cormac McCarthy book there.

I don't really know of much Ozark literature. What's good? I loved the movie version of Winter's Bone, but I haven't read the book yet.

I *know* I read "Icy Sparks" when it came out, but for the life of me I can't remember reading it.

I'm not surprised about Cormac McCarthy - but then I don't understand the love affair with him anyway. lol. (I hope I don't get kicked out of the group for not caring for McCarthy OR Faulkner...haha.)

Ozark Lit is quite a bit harder to come by. Pretty much anything by Donald Harington is good and Paulette Jiles' Enemy Women Enemy Women Either of those would be a good start.

I can't believe I nearly forgot to add The Shepherd of the Hills to those recommendations! The Shepherd of the Hills

I just finished "The Wettest County in the World" by Matt Bondurant, set in the mountains of Virginia. Mr Bondurant captures the lifestyle of moonshiners and mountain folk in general very well through his research into family lore, newspaper article, and interviews with other descendants of those who lived in Franklin County, VA, in the 1920-1935 era. I recommend it without hesitation.

Mike Addington

Just read Serena by Ron Rash. Loved it. What a story! What a character! Kept thinking Barbara Stanwyck would have been great playing Serena in a movie version.

Chelsea wrote: "I've yet to peek at the list, but it certainly should include The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls."

It was a good read.

I highly recommend Dennis Covington's Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia
Many insights, wonderful language, and as you can tell from the title, an unusual world to get to know.

My review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Clay's Quilt (#8)is one of my all-time favorites. Truly a beautiful book, Silas House is amazing. Thanks for sharing this list, I look forward to reading some of the others! :-)

Elle wrote: "I highly recommend Dennis Covington's Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia
Many insights, wonderful language, and as you can tell from the title, an unus..."

Elle, Excellent review. You hit the heart of Covington's work. I'm a great fan of this book. You did it proud. Thanks for your good work.

Mike

I see Bloodroot by Amy Greene made the list but below The Hunger Games.

A Land More Kind Than Home byWiley Cash is number 93? That is a shame!

I think I have read Where the Lilies Bloom from this list. I do remember seeing the movie; which was based on this book; back in 1974. . I had just started teaching and a fellow teacher and I took a group of eighth graders to see it. It is a very moving story about a family of children whose parents have died and one of the daughters takes it upon herself to try and keep all the children together. The story has both funny and sad parts. I would recommend it.

Connie wrote: "I see Bloodroot by Amy Greene made the list but below The Hunger Games.

A Land More Kind Than Home byWiley Cash is number 93? That is a shame!"

Connie, I agree. So, let's go vote on the list! *grin*

Mike

I have just completed Deliverance James Dickey, and all I can say is OMG! I never saw the movie, so I really didn't know what to expect except something violent. Well, it is brutal, which is outside my comfort zone; however, Dickey's language is so pitch perfect that I was completely drawn into the plot. This is an amazing novel!

BTY, Mike, I did go to the list and vote for Wiley's book! ; ) He was up to 75 the last time I looked! ; )

Connie wrote: "I have just completed DeliveranceJames Dickey, and all I can say is OMG! I never saw the movie, so I really didn't know what to expect except something violent. Well, ..."

Good for you! I just went and voted on my top 10. Cash's book is among those. Alas, I had a first edition of Deliverance. I agree with Dickey's language in the novel. He was also a wonderful poet. Somewhere through the years that first edition vanished. Interestingly, my home was formerly occupied by a graduate student in English. James Dickey stayed the night here. I've threatened to put up a bronze plaque "James Dickey stayed here." My wife has vetoed the idea. *grin* However, I consider it notable!

Mike

Connie wrote: "I have just completed DeliveranceJames Dickey, and all I can say is OMG! I never saw the movie, so I really didn't know what to expect except something violent. Well, ..."

A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash is now at 60.

Mike

Mike wrote: "Connie wrote: "I have just completed DeliveranceJames Dickey, and all I can say is OMG! I never saw the movie, so I really didn't know what to expect except something ..."

Indeed it is notable that Dickey spent the night with you. So sorry that your first edition walked off. I had a similar experience with a first edition of John Grisham's A Time to Kill. Not that Grisham's book is in the same league; however, the first edition was something worth hanging onto. Some people seize an opportunity, I guess. lol It has made me rather skittish about my other first editions, and whom I allow near my bookcases. LOL
I may have to look into Dickey's poetry. Thanks for mentioning it.

Ole Wiley may make top 50 pretty soon!

Connie wrote: "I have just completed DeliveranceJames Dickey, and all I can say is OMG! I never saw the movie, so I really didn't know what to expect except something violent. Well, ..."

Connie, I've had this on my to read shelf forever. The film is a bit startling and shocking in some parts, especially in "that" scene (you'll know when you see it). I need to read the book now.

Franky, after reading the book, I am not certain I can watch the movie. I might be able to turn the DVD off at certain points and then come back to it. It really is emotionally draining. I understand what you mean about "the" scene.

You should definitely read the book because the language is unbelievable.

Connie wrote: "Franky, after reading the book, I am not certain I can watch the movie. I might be able to turn the DVD off at certain points and then come back to it. It really is emotionally draining. I understa..."

Yeah, about the film, I totally see your point of view. I had no clue what was about to happen, and it just completely shocked me. Over all, though, the film is a powerful depiction of the book, according to most.

I've heard Dickey is quite the lyricist and poet, so I'm eager to read this book.

Yes, Mike told me that his poetry is grand, so I hope to find a book of his poems.

I hope you like Deliverance.

I stumbled across one of his books at the library "friends of the library"sale. It was a first edition for $20, so I decided to spring for it. To the White Sea is a WWII story, but that is all I know about it.

I live a half an hour away from the GA state park where they filmed Deliverance, the movie. It is beautiful country, and has fantastic white water rafting. Great music, too. And most of my neighbors are normal! We do have a saying: Run if you hear banjo music!

Kathy, that is hilarious (about the banjo music)! I have been to Georgia many times, and it is a beautiful state. I have a friend who keeps encouraging me to visit Dohlonega. She and her husband are convinced it is a hidden jewel. My Mr. and I must try to get there. Maybe we could check out the GA state park while we are there. (We'd just have to keep a keen listen for banjo music.)

Connie, Dahlonega is a beautiful little town, especially the downtown section. Every year, they have a festival called "Bear in the Square". It started when a bear and two cubs wandered into town. The whole town came out to rescue the bears. Now every year they have a festival to honor the bears! Great food and, of course, music. Dahlonega is also known for its gold. The capital dome in Atlanta is covered with gold mined in Dahlonega. Quite a sight on a sunny day.

Kathy wrote: "We do have a saying: Run if you hear banjo music!"

If you go rafting or canoeing anywhere around here these days, you find t-shirts and bumper stickers that say: "If you hear banjo music, paddle faster!" I guess it has caught on. I wonder what Dickey would think?

I know this is an older comment but when I saw Tall Woman, my heart skipped a beat. I recently picked up a copy at the Sugarland Visitor Center on the way up to Cades Cove in Gatlinburg, TN. Sitting on our hotel porch, in the crisp fall air, looking at the Smokey Mountains misty in the distance, reading Tall Woman was one of the best and most memorable reading experiences of my life.

Canaan, that is one of my favorite books as well. I can't believe it's not more well known, although I think it may be out of print. I found mine in a used bookstore. By the way, welcome to this group!

Diane, I know there are stacks of them as recently as last year at the Visitor Center gift shop in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. I wonder if it is out of print and they just still happen to have a bunch! I have passed that book on to so so many people. I love stories of hearty women who make a life for themselves in circumstances that seem impossible. Nice to meet you!
Canaan

My library system has one copy.

@Canaan, setting and book sound wonderful. What about Lee Smith?

I just opened an Amazon order. forgot I'd included a Lee Smith book, Oral History. I think it was a sale book.

"Fair and Tender Ladies" by Lee Smith is right there at the top of my list too. Incredible characters and story. Maybe I should devote an entire year to rereading my favorite books.

Now, that sounds like a great plan, Diane. Canaan, I love reading a great book like Tall Woman in such a perfect setting. Feeling a bit jealous. lol

Kathy, thanks for the information about Dohlonega. I love the festival info! Maybe we can come to visit during that time of the year. I'll check it out. I have been to Atlanta many times and in the capitol building several times. I do remember the dome being gold but had no idea the gold came from Dohlongea! America is an amazing place!

Don't you think Dickey would love all the Tshirts, etc? I think it would really tickle him.

Those Tshirts and bumper stickers are definitely popular! It is amazing how much has changed since the 1970s when the book was written. Now with everyone having cell phones and GPS systems, it is hard to feel that cut off from society anymore. I like to geocache. My husband and I go to some pretty remote locations but I have never felt the isolation that is described in

Deliverance. Thank God!

One of my favorite Appalachian authors (though he'd be a worthy candidate in many other categories, or in general) is West Virginian Breece D'J Pancake, who died too young and wrote just one collection of stories, The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake, which are haunted by longing and a deep connection to place, themes that are profuse throughout Southern lit, I think. This remembrance in the Oxford American was, I thought, a very worthy read:

http://www.oxfordamerican.org/article...

Sarah wrote: "One of my favorite Appalachian authors (though he'd be a worthy candidate in many other categories, or in general) is West Virginian Breece D'J Pancake, who died too young and wrote just one collec..."

The statement by Kurt Vonnegut in his letter to Casey regarding Breece's writing is quite impressive. So much so that I have to read his collection. thanks for posting, Sarah

Mike A

Serena is fabulous. Just finished it in a marathon read. Only stopped to pee, eat and sleep. It really is that good. It's our group read for June, so I'll wait for the thread to discuss it, but you owe it to yourself to read this one!

I've heard Cold Mountain is a good Appalachia book. Any opinions on that one? I wasn't planning on reading Deliverance anytime soon. But I think y'all just convinced me. I would like to play a banjo soon so I guess knowing that book and movie is required.

Garrett wrote: "I've heard Cold Mountain is a good Appalachia book. Any opinions on that one? I wasn't planning on reading Deliverance anytime soon. But I think y'all just convinced me. I would like to play a banj..."

Hey Garrett: The movie roared through, with, to me, only 1 memorable character, which was played by Rene Zellwinger (hope I spelled that correctly). I like the other actors, just, evidently, wasn't time to flesh out the story in the time allotted, so I'm guessing the book is probably pretty good, based on that,ie, the characters are developed. I'd recommend a look and see, if one desired.
Mike A

"Cold Mountain" is a fabulous book. There are a lot of old words and phrases in this book that you don't hear anymore.

Diane wrote: "There are a lot of old words and phrases in this book that you don't hear anymore."

Haven't read it, and didn't have it on the list, but you just grabbed me with that single sentence! I saw the movie but Nicole Kidman wrecked it for me. The other actors were great! I really loved the whole Brendan Gleeson/Jack White/Ethan Supplee bits, and thought Renee Zellweger was great.

Jessie, this book is "The Odyssey" set during the Civil War. The writing is unbelievably good, and there are a lot of side stories on his journey home that you don't get in the movie. I enjoyed the movie, but, as always, the book is much better.

Lee Smith first comes to my mind; my favorite is Black Mountain Breakdown. I'd also recommend Oral History.

I really didn't care for Cold Mountain when I first tried it but I'm wondering if I should give it another chance after hearing all this.

Sue wrote: "I just opened an Amazon order. forgot I'd included a Lee Smith book, Oral History. I think it was a sale book."

I read Oral History over twenty years ago and loved it. In fact, because of that book I began looking into my own genealogy.

Sue wrote: "I really didn't care for Cold Mountain when I first tried it but I'm wondering if I should give it another chance after hearing all this."

Sue, do give it another chance--spectacular writing by Charles Frazier!

Tonya wrote: "Lee Smith first comes to my mind; my favorite is Black Mountain Breakdown. I'd also recommend Oral History."

Another of my favorite Lee Smith novels is The Devils Dream--especially if you're a fan of bluegrass and country music. It also concerns several generations spanning over something like 150 years!

Kaye wrote: "Sue wrote: "I really didn't care for Cold Mountain when I first tried it but I'm wondering if I should give it another chance after hearing all this."

Sue, do give it another chance--spectacular w..."

I think I probably should. Not sure when given all the books on my plate. but my attitude is changing. Thanks Tonya. And I'm looking forward to Oral History. I have some family information and someday I want to delve back further.

Garrett wrote: "I've heard Cold Mountain is a good Appalachia book. Any opinions on that one? I wasn't planning on reading Deliverance anytime soon. But I think y'all just convinced me. I would like to play a banj..."
Deliverance is such an iconic Dickey book. I recommend it because it's one of those books that captures the nuances of a particular niche of Appalachia like no other book does. Besides, you'll get more banjo jokes.

Cathy Adams
Author of This Is What It Smells Like

Jessie wrote: "I *know* I read "Icy Sparks" when it came out, but for the life of me I can't remember reading it."