Southern Writers Online - critiques/opinions

Porgy - Liked this one more than I thought I would. Dialect needs to be read aloud in your head - or actually aloud if you're an extrovert - then the words become understandable. Sympathetic characters considering the time it was written and the difficulty in understanding another race and culture; difficult today as well although it may not be pc to say so. The plot was classic Greek tragedy - foreseeable and fore ordained. Interesting considering the real "Porgy" who was a combination of the hero and the villain of this piece and died as a result of his lifestyle. Both more and less interesting than fiction but not classic tragedy. Thought the writing was well done to develop plot and characters in such a small book.

Fair and Tender Ladies - Slow start in developing the characters but they grow into interesting "people" in the course of the book. Really came to like the main character and her attitude to living. The plot was fairly predictable but the characters were sympathetic enough to enrich it. Satisfying ending with most of the loose ends tied up; the author kept track of her characters and reintroduced them from time to time in a lifelike history. Epoch novels crossing decades are not my favorite type so wouldn't have read this by choice but very glad I did. Think the main role was written with Nicole Kidman in mind?

The World Made Straight - Interesting characters neither all good nor all bad, quite complex and 3 dimensional although the mentor character is rather weak as a person. The setting and culture ring true as far as I know - or it's a good job of creating convincing ones. Liked this one better than his other books. I look forward to trying him again.

Walking Across Egypt - Loved this main character - spunky and independent mind within a traditional being and setting. The secondary characters were well developed with a few words and scenes. The plot had some nice twists and built to the end. Not sure the whole premise is believable but if you suspend reality and enjoy the humor and characters the book is lots of fun.

Tales of Uncle Remus: Adventures of Brer Rabbit - Read this with the Children's Book Club last summer so researched the background and was very impressed with Lester's scholarship and interest in the Brer Rabbit stories. The children enjoyed them on a straight forward level and adults can appreciate the underlying ideas as well. Brer Rabbit is the classic mischief maker who gets away with it all, much to the chagrin and sometimes anger of the other animals. Since we all knew someone like that, these tales are easy to empathize with from one viewpoint or another which is probably why they endure so well.

St. Dale - Good book, destined to be a movie I think. Found myself envisioning who would play which role as I read. Nice variety of characters if a little predictable. A plot involving lots of diverse characters from different backgrounds develops a life of its own - "Loveboat" anyone? The plot developed and moved along quickly. I was impressed with the author's knowledge of NASCAR and/or the amount of research that went into this book. Did like the ending which was somewhat open - for another book?