Today’s book reviews and re-visiting some of my favorite southern American writers.

My mom reminded me today of one of my favorite writers, so re-reading a few I like. If you haven’t read these authors, they are treasures.

The great southern woman writer, Flannery O’Connor, who’s peacock farm i got to visit, is a great southern gothic, or she would say grotesque spiritual, writer. Very redemptive themes, who once described the south as “Christ haunted”.

Great perspective on the shift between old and new south in America, and what occurred spiritually and psychologically to regular people during that shift. Or any country’s shift from post-industrialism, or even religious to secular societal transitions, as observed through a particular sense of place. Savvy observations, she makes. But also universal themes of human brokenness and redemption.

Enjoying re-reading her short stories again. Brilliant writer. Has to ability through tone to say a lot with one detail—she shows not tells, really well!

There is a good movie of her first novel “Wise Blood” as well. It’s well done and moving, about a preacher who blinds himself to see God. And many other things. She had a way of loving on her characters while showing all their worst flaws; and somehow making the whole thing about Grace for people. Endearing writer really. Had true empathy for the human condition!

A catholic (religiously, but also in the best sense—universal; for people) writer like Walker Percy, who is also a brilliant southern author to read—“Second Coming” and “The Movie Goer” are both great books, as are his essays on linguistics. Real thinker, also with a tone of Grace. These may be my two favorite southern writers from the previous generation. Enjoying revisiting them.

Last night, watched a great documentary on the American poet Robert Bly, who I also got to meet on my birthday, years ago at Harvard. He and I talked Jesus and death, and he dedicated a poem to me in his reading. Interesting teacher, a mixed bag, as we all are, but a real poet-a lover of the inner life of words- when poets used to matter in society, or were able to prove there was still an inner life worth nurturing! Enjoying re-visiting these writers this season, and considering what they were circling around and in. And what upper story they were pointing towards! Galway Kinnel is another of my favorites I met in Vermont–tender palmed long hearted men, both, seeking a deeper ground of being than most! I love considering considerers on Sunday! Those who tried to live out and express their inner poetry of being! And gave it as a gift to others!

I also got to meet and visit Eudora Welty in Mississippi long ago before she passed. Sweet lady, and great writer also from the deep south. All three of these 20th C southern writers are worth exploring anyway. Enjoying sitting on the porch in southern style with them again today.