What say we start off this shortened work week with something even more controversial than Obama's school speech? According to Oxford American magazine, these are the top ten Southern novels of all times:
1. Absalom, Absalom, by William Faulkner
2. All the King's Men, by Robert Penn Warren
3. The Sound and the Fury, by William Faulkner
4. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
5. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
6. The Moviegoer, by Walker Percy
7. As I Lay Dying, by William Faulkner
8. Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison
9. Wise Blood, by Flannery O'Connor
10. Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston
Now, I'm as big a fan of Faulkner as anyone, but I don't think he deserves to get three of those coveted ten spaces--plus I'm not so sure I might not rank The Reivers ahead of the three on this list.
And there are several on here that are definitely not among my top ten. You cannot have a list of top Southern novels without A Confederacy of Dunces, The Yearling, Gone with the Wind, The Member of the Wedding, Fair and Tender Ladies, Walking Across Egypt, and something by Eudora Welty (though I can't decide which of hers I'd choose). Sorry, Oxford American; your list is a far cry from mine. Let's hear from some of the rest of you! What titles spring to mind when you think of quintessential Southern classics?
About Me
- Jayne Jaudon Ferrer
- is the author of seven books and a frequent speaker at schools, women's events, writing workshops, and book festivals. A poetry missionary and advocate of the arts, Jayne is passionate about words and family and her faith and, to the great annoyance of many, her glass is almost always half full.
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2 comments:
Gosh, Jayne, I read this and think to myself, "Girl, you better get to readin'!" I have a lot of catching up to do!
Hugs,
Susan
I'm glad you mentioned the Yearling. That was such a great book and movie. I agree that Faulkner shouldn't walk away with so many listings here. I like him but there are others, but I can't think at 2 Am who they are.
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