Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Southern Reading Challenge -- Complete!

I just posted my review of Light in August, which completes the Southern Reading Challenge for me. I had a hard time choosing the books that I wanted to read for this one, but I'm really happy with the choices I made. I read:

Other Voices, Other Rooms by Truman Capote

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Light in August by William Faulkner

I enjoyed them all, but honestly, Garden Spells isn't really in the same category with the others. Don't get me wrong, it's a good book. However, the setting is pretty much the only thing that qualifies it as true Southern literature. The angst is missing. There are no grotesque characters and no mules. Religion doesn't really play a role. Again, I enjoyed the book, but I really should have chosen something more authentically Southern for this challenge. I love Truman Capote, but I have to say that I think I liked Light in August the best. This is surprising for me. I almost didn't read it, but I thought I should give Faulkner another chance. I'm so glad I did. Thanks for a great reading challenge, Maggie.

4 comments:

Iliana said...

Congrats on finishing your challenge! I've just read your review of Light in August (had no idea what the book was about!) and will be adding that to my TBR list. I've not read any Faulkner and I wonder if that would be a good place to start.

Lisa said...

iliana, thanks. I do think Light in August would be a good place to start. From what I've read, all of his novels are complex and not exactly easy reading. But, I don't think that this one is the most difficult. In fact, difficult is not the right word. You just have to give it your full attention to get the most out of it. It's worth it, though!

Ana S. said...

Congratulations on finishing the challenge, Lisa!

Lisa said...

nymeth, thanks! I can't believe it, I've actually finished two this year. I'm on a roll-LOL.