I’ve always been partial to fiction of the American South. Folks like Faulkner & Morrison, of course, are the gold standard but I’ve found myself prefering less, shall we say, opaque fare these days. My tastes tend towards the southerners who use brief, cutting language, grotesques, and thick helpings humor, whether lighthearted or blackhearted. You know, people like:
Flannery O’Connor
Michael Malone
Harry Crews
Carson McCullers
Any other afficionados out there? I’d love some recommendations as I’ve packed all my books for a big move and am at a loss for reading.
(And, although I’ve specifically requested southerners, I’d definitely check out any authors you think employ similar sensibilities without actually setting their stories in the American South. Thanks, as always)
I’m assuming you’ve read All The King’s Men but I’ll mention it anyway.
For a non-Southern writer who might appeal to your tastes, try Jim Harrison. Probably best known for Legends of the Fall, but I prefer many of his other books.
For non-fiction, Rick Bragg is good Southern memoirist.
Yes, Texas is not “The South”–except for East Texas. His great Lonesome Dove is definitely Western, but most of his earlier stuff is set in urban Texas. (Of course, you ought to read *Lonesome Dove *anyway.)
I’ll check for specific recommendations. Meanwhile–the Literature Mapplaces him in an interesting territory.
Guys—these are exactly what I’m looking for. Just wanted to chime in and thank everyone while the recommendations come in (and please do keep them coming). My library trip tomorrow will require a shopping cart. Or a mule.
He tends to be a one trick pony, but I like Pat Conroy. I happen to like his writing style, even if there’s always some kind of incest and sadistic father around.
Pete Dexter’s Paris Trout is a pretty good read, once again if you like insane characters. Dennis Hopper did a pretty good portrayal of him in the movie.
I really love Cormac McCarthy’s Southern Gothic novels. Sutree would be a good start. I didn’t really care for his border trilogy. A lot of people don’t care for his flowery prose (and I suspect, made up words sometimes), but I really like it.
How about Donna Tartt’s book the Little Friend? She also wrote the Secret History (not Southern) which got a lot of critical acclaim. Little Friend isn’t as good, but I really enjoyed it.
I’ll second the recommendations for William Gay, Larry Brown, and Clyde Edgerton, and add Larry Watson. Oh! And Donald Ray Pollock, author of Knockemstiff. Ohio’s not really the south, but maybe it should be.
Edna O’Brien sometimes reminds me of Flannery O’Connor, so you might check her out too.