Location: United States
Member Since:
Sep. 21, 2013
Gail Langley
Smashwords book reviews by Gail Langley
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The Weariness of the South
on Sep. 21, 2013
(no rating)
John Williams can count me as a fan. The Weariness of the South, read like old home week to me, a resident of the region. Yet, I think these tales could find familiar ground in all hearts, in every family, regardless of the reader’s proximity of the Mason Dixon line. In these the soulful stories, the old and new South battle for ground. The past and present rub against the characters like faithful dogs that can’t be trained not to snap at strangers. The language of the telling is often beautiful. Williams’ “Midway in Life’s Journey” begins, ‘A morning, in the precarious season between summer and fall, surprised the eastern sky like an organ chord. Everywhere the inexperienced light did battle with shadow...’John Williams is good with words and better with evoking feelings and engaging the reader. I admit to a favorite story of the ten included In the Weariness of the South. “Peaches and Cream” resonated with me. It’s an account of a young boy’s trip to visit his grandmother during the dwindling days of summer, just before school stunts a child’s happiness. I share these experiences. I’ve been to Mr. Hatchett’s service station, and I’ve caught a Greyhound there for a trip to my relatives. I knew Cora, the grandmother’s cook and housekeeper. I knew all the Coras, black women who found the balance in an uneven world, who loved the children they helped raise. Peaches and Cream is really a joyful story. While reading I wasn’t sure if I was chucking at the boy’s memories or mine. I do know I’m grateful for the sweet reminder streaming from Mr. Williams’ pen. If you only buy the book to read this one charming reminisce, you’ve gotten you money’s worth. Gail Smith Langley