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bkish's review against another edition
4.0
This is a vital vivid book and he can write as he the author has just moved here to the Deep SOuth in Natchez Mississippi. This ante bellum city dwells in its racism and white superiority. This is a city frozen in time, the author who seems to b known for travel books hasstepped outside ofhis normal expression to tell us these tales.
Judy g
Judy g
raylangivens31's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
annmariereads's review against another edition
4.0
As Southerners say, we don’t hide our eccentrics, we sit them on the front porch in a rocking chair.
This book focuses on the Deep South town of Natchez, Mississippi. It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump up from New Orleans and adopts its lassiez faire attitude from the city. Natchez is a cultural center still filled with beautiful pre-Civil War mansions, yet also has a terribly ugly past of hosting one of the largest slave trading centers in the South.
When I saw this author was British, my left eyebrow raised and I thought, ooooh bless his heart, I’m sure he tried. However he absolutely succeeds and immerses himself in the town while somehow befriending everyone. It’s that British accent, y’all.
Natchez struggles to find their identity because much of their tourism has been based around the beautiful architecture, getting back to the “good ole days,” and being borderline obsessed with Confederate history. However, the town has never come to terms with it’s horrible slavery past. There is much conflict here with folks being stuck in a white-washed past, while others are trying to acknowledge the tragedies and honoring them by educating others.
You cannot help but fall in love with every single person Grant talks to and writes about. They are all a mixture of campy/lavish/Southern Gothic/Beverly Leslie/Andy Griffith/Steel Magnolias and I’m here for it.
Natchez recently elected a gay, Black mayor with 91% of the vote, has put up monuments detailing the horrors of the slave trade there, and is making strides to include ALL parts of their past in traditions. As Grant says, “They have to square their well-earned reputation for kindness and hospitality with their equally well-earned reputation for violence and bigotry.”
This is SUCH an interesting regional nonfiction and I definitely recommend it. Thank you to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the chance to review this!
This book focuses on the Deep South town of Natchez, Mississippi. It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump up from New Orleans and adopts its lassiez faire attitude from the city. Natchez is a cultural center still filled with beautiful pre-Civil War mansions, yet also has a terribly ugly past of hosting one of the largest slave trading centers in the South.
When I saw this author was British, my left eyebrow raised and I thought, ooooh bless his heart, I’m sure he tried. However he absolutely succeeds and immerses himself in the town while somehow befriending everyone. It’s that British accent, y’all.
Natchez struggles to find their identity because much of their tourism has been based around the beautiful architecture, getting back to the “good ole days,” and being borderline obsessed with Confederate history. However, the town has never come to terms with it’s horrible slavery past. There is much conflict here with folks being stuck in a white-washed past, while others are trying to acknowledge the tragedies and honoring them by educating others.
You cannot help but fall in love with every single person Grant talks to and writes about. They are all a mixture of campy/lavish/Southern Gothic/Beverly Leslie/Andy Griffith/Steel Magnolias and I’m here for it.
Natchez recently elected a gay, Black mayor with 91% of the vote, has put up monuments detailing the horrors of the slave trade there, and is making strides to include ALL parts of their past in traditions. As Grant says, “They have to square their well-earned reputation for kindness and hospitality with their equally well-earned reputation for violence and bigotry.”
This is SUCH an interesting regional nonfiction and I definitely recommend it. Thank you to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the chance to review this!
chipperd's review against another edition
5.0
Always a pleasure to wade into the South with Richard. It is a special place.