This book was truly like witnessing a train wreck unfold before your very eyes.

You are fully aware that there will be body parts and gore scattered all over the tracks, yet you find yourself completely unable to look away.

It is, without a doubt, one of the most disturbing novels I have ever had the misfortune to read. However, such was its hold on me that I simply had to reach the end.

The writing, the suspense, and the southern setting and dialogue were all executed flawlessly by the author, which earns it three stars.

But I couldn't rate it any higher due to my intense dislike and fear of the main character.

Being inside the mind of a psychopath is an incredibly scary and uncomfortable place to be.

It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page, leaving you with a sense of unease and a lingering feeling of dread.

Despite its flaws, it is a testament to the author's ability to create a truly unforgettable and disturbing reading experience.

This novel offers neither hope nor love, neither justice nor redemption.

Its protagonist, Paris Trout, is a white American from Georgia, USA. He is a financially well-off man who runs a drugstore where he practices usury on loans and credit sales. He believes only in himself and his personal law. He is an explicit example of a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) who takes justice into his own hands if he thinks he has been offended in some way. He is despotic and authoritarian. When he shoots and kills an innocent black girl with a pistol, he feels no pangs of conscience and cannot understand the "injustice" of having to stand trial for murder because he "only shot a black girl".

In fact, in this story, no one is completely innocent and "pure". If Paris Trout represents the most crooked part of that eternally racist and conservative part of American society, then the other white characters in the novel who revolve around the protagonist, hating or detesting him, feigning loyalty or defending him, such as the beautiful wife exasperated by the hardness of her husband or the lawyer friend who defends him in court, the judge and the policemen, none of them shine with correctness, morality and ethics. It is a "difficult" novel that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth and an infinite sadness.

Nero is the heart of Paris Trout, and just as black and even more despicable is the heart of the other inhabitants of a small town in Georgia, U.S.A., in the 1950s. It's a story of ordinary madness, of ordinary racism, of ordinary daily violence and of extraordinary occasional ferocity that dwell in the crazy heart of a crude merchant. However, the co-protagonist of the novel is the other violence, the creeping and legal violence of the upstanding citizens, especially the respected and meritorious ones, of the town, where thrive the complicit condescension, corruption, and universally recognized impunity. I read the novel expecting an act of courage, the emergence of a male or female character carrying a shred of honesty, of a twinge of conscience. I don't mention justice which is the great absentee of the time, the place, and the people. The ending does bring a twist, but I leave it to you, if you haven't read it yet, to discover its taste and its effect: relief or bitterness?

This novel delves deep into the dark underbelly of society, exposing the ugliness and injustice that often go unnoticed. The characters are complex and flawed, making them all the more real and relatable. The author's vivid descriptions paint a picture that is both disturbing and captivating, leaving the reader with a sense of unease long after turning the last page.

It makes one question the true nature of humanity and the lengths people will go to in order to protect their own interests. Despite the bleakness of the story, there are also glimmers of hope and moments of redemption, which serve to make the overall narrative even more powerful.

Overall, this is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that is well worth the read.

Paris Trout, the winner of the National Book Award for Fiction in 1988, is truly a remarkable and flawless work.

Paris Trout, a resident of Cotton Point, Georgia, is an arrogant and solitary man. He not only abuses his wife psychologically but also physically. His actions lead to a crime that has a profound impact on the entire community, sending shockwaves and reverberations throughout.

As Paris Trout tries to avoid being held accountable for his senseless deeds, his mental state gradually deteriorates. Both his attorney and his wife are aware that he is deeply disturbed. A sense of doom pervades the story, slowly building up until the fateful and inevitable ending.

Pete Dexter masterfully weaves together the stories of the residents of a small town in 1950's Georgia. He skillfully portrays a diverse range of personalities and interconnected storylines, hinting at past indiscretions, delving into people's private thoughts, and vividly bringing his characters to life. I could almost feel the suffocating and stifling culture, with its underlying simmering hostility.

I wholeheartedly recommend Paris Trout to anyone who has a passion for great literature. It is毫无疑问 one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

~Stephanie

The titular character, Paris Trout, is a truly dark, ugly, and unhinged individual, and that's precisely what intrigues me. The author has done an outstanding job of transporting me back to the 1950s in the Southern US.

A significant portion of the story is presented from the perspective of a defense attorney who is not only disgusted by his client but also a bit afraid. This moral dilemma is both interesting and believable, generating a substantial amount of suspense. Moreover, all the other characters are exquisitely crafted individuals.

The plot itself is rather 'ugly' and violent, yet the characters and the setting are so vivid and compelling that they draw the reader in and keep them engaged. It's a story that explores the darker side of human nature and the complex dynamics of a particular time and place.

”You’ve been saved,” Miss Mary said. “And I am here with you now to wait for Jesus.”
“I’m so cold,” the child said.
She said, “Jesus will be here soon, to cover you with a blanket.”

The novel "Paris Trout" by Pete Dexter, which won the National Book Award in 1988, is truly a remarkable piece of literature. After reading it, I am convinced that it fully deserves all the accolades it has received.

This well-written and engrossing novel tells the story of an influential white businessman who stands trial for murdering an African-American teenage girl in a Georgia town in the 1950s. One of the aspects that makes this book so outstanding is the use of multiple perspectives. We get to see the events unfold through the eyes of the killers, the victims, the attorneys, and other characters. This adds depth and complexity to the story, allowing us to understand the motives and actions of each individual.

Moreover, the central character, Paris Trout, is a truly despicable person. His actions and behavior throughout the novel are abhorrent, yet Dexter manages to make him a fascinating and compelling character.

It is interesting to note that "Paris Trout" was written seven years before another famous novel, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," which also features an influential Georgia town leader accused of murder and involved in a trial. While the two books have many similarities, they also have their differences. The writing styles of the two novels are distinct, with "Paris Trout" being more like a legal thriller and "MITGOGAE" containing a bit more humor and mystery, along with a more lyrical writing style.

Overall, I give "Paris Trout" five stars. It is a story with a tightly constructed narrative that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end. It is a fast read that packs a powerful punch and leaves a lasting impression.

This is only the second Pete Dexter book I have read.

I am truly certain that I will read everything he writes.

Pete Dexter has an amazing talent for getting you to vividly see how the people in his books think and live.

This is precisely one of the main reasons why I have such a passion for reading novels.

His writing style is so engaging that it draws you into the lives of the characters and makes you feel as if you are right there with them.

Each of his books offers a unique perspective and a richly detailed world that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

I can't wait to explore more of his works and continue to be immersed in the wonderful stories he has to tell.

This one was surprisingly good.

It won the National Book Award in 1988, a fact that I was completely unaware of when I initially started reading it.

I truly liked the dialog. It was engaging and felt natural. Dexter had this remarkable ability to describe things extremely well without using an excessive number of words.

The story itself was highly interesting. It had a captivating plot that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

The characters were all complex. They had their own flaws and virtues, making them seem more like real people.

Many of them, in fact, would be fairly unlikable to most people. However, this added to the depth and authenticity of the story.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who has a penchant for literary fiction that leans towards masculine prose.

It would also be a great read for anyone who enjoys character driven crime novels with a social commentary subtext.

This book has something for everyone who appreciates well-written literature.

Gripping tale but a tough book to read.

This statement sums up the experience of many readers who have delved into a particular literary work. The story might be filled with exciting plot twists and engaging characters that keep one on the edge of their seat. However, the language or the writing style could present challenges.

Perhaps the vocabulary is complex, requiring the reader to constantly look up words in the dictionary. Or maybe the narrative structure is convoluted, making it difficult to follow the flow of the story.

Despite these difficulties, the gripping nature of the tale compels the reader to persevere. They are eager to discover what happens next and how the story will ultimately conclude.

It is this combination of a captivating story and a challenging reading experience that makes the book both frustrating and rewarding.

Readers who are willing to put in the effort will be richly rewarded with a memorable and thought-provoking literary journey.

But for those who are less patient or who prefer more straightforward reads, this tough book might prove to be a bit too much.

Nevertheless, it is a testament to the power of literature that even a difficult book can have such a profound impact on its readers.

Should become a classic

(Hubby just now told me it was already a classic. I'm obviously way behind on this book. To say the least, I loved this book even if I have been living under a rock. Paris Trout may be one of the most hated characters in my reading experience.)

Rereading for Southern Literary Trail February 2018. You know it was good when you are willing to reread 2 months later.

This book truly has the potential to be a classic. Despite my initial tardiness in picking it up, as soon as I did, I was completely hooked. The character of Paris Trout is so despicable that he stands out among all the others I've encountered in my reading journey. It's remarkable how the author has managed to create such a vivid and loathsome character.

Rereading it for the Southern Literary Trail in February 2018 was a decision I didn't regret. The fact that I was eager to pick it up again just 2 months after my first read speaks volumes about its quality. It's one of those rare books that you can read multiple times and still discover new layers and nuances. I can't wait to see what else this book has in store for me on this second reading.

My boss recommended this book to me, stating that it was his absolute favorite.

Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. As I delved into the pages, I found myself gradually becoming a little creeped out by him.

The content of the book seemed to reveal aspects of his personality that I had never suspected before. It was as if a hidden side of him was being exposed through the words on the page.

Maybe it was the way he related to the characters or the themes that he emphasized. Whatever it was, it made me view him in a different light.

I couldn't help but wonder what else he might be hiding beneath the surface. This newfound awareness made me a bit cautious around him, and I found myself second-guessing his motives and actions.

Overall, the experience of reading the book recommended by my boss had a strange and unexpected impact on my perception of him.

Def. Buying this.

If you find yourself in need of a specific object or situation to serve as a focal point for a healthy release of intense emotions such as fear, rage, and hatred, then I highly recommend picking this up. The reason being, Paris trout can be an extremely easy (and perhaps even justified) target for these and many other emotions. It provides a tangible entity onto which one can direct and channel their pent-up feelings. This allows for a cathartic experience, enabling individuals to let go of these powerful emotions in a more controlled and potentially beneficial way. By focusing on this particular thing, it may offer a sense of relief and a means to process and manage these emotions more effectively.

Whether it's through imagining various scenarios involving Paris trout or simply using it as a mental placeholder for all the negative emotions, it can serve as a useful tool in the journey towards emotional well-being. So, if you're looking for a way to deal with these intense emotions in a healthy manner, give this a try.