This is some really cold stuff.

It is not only frightening but also vividly描绘.

If you give permission for the existence of monstrousness in any form, I guess you shouldn't be astonished when there are actual monsters right in your midst.

Surprisingly, there is also some nice stuff in here.

Perhaps it's like a strange juxtaposition of the terrifying and the pleasant.

The coldness seems to seep into your bones, making you shiver with a mix of fear and anticipation.

You wonder what other horrors or pleasant surprises might lurk within this mysterious collection of "stuff".

It keeps you on the edge of your seat, both repelled and attracted by the unknown.

Will the monsters continue to haunt your imagination, or will the nice stuff manage to overshadow their presence?

Only time will tell as you explore this strange and captivating world of cold and vivid experiences.

I picked this up out of sheer desperation when I raced through my holiday read in just three days. Otherwise, it would have never crossed my path. The tattered back cover of the 1988 Flamingo edition boasted three reviews, with nothing else inside. This, more than anything, seemed to give away its age, as every novel nowadays appears to be plastered with such endorsements. I had a hazy recollection of a rather mediocre film, starring Dennis Hopper and Barbara Hershey. And yet, Pete Dexter had won the National Book Award for Fiction.

Needless to say, I fell in love with it instantly and couldn't put it down. I suppose I have a penchant for Southern authors - Daniel Woodrell, Tim Gautreaux, William Gay, and of course, Cormac McCarthy. There were sentences in this book, and dialogue, that made me sit back in awe. Capturing the tiniest of details. Distilling emotions to their purest essence. Offering profound observations about the human condition. Every sentence felt meticulously honed. There was nothing extraneous. Trout himself is truly unforgettable, but it's the supporting cast that really steals the show. Dark, sexy, and shocking. Highly recommended.

There are only a few things I will tell you about this book.

I don't want to spoil it for you. First of all, it is a psychological thriller that delves into a truly shocking crime. The story is so captivating that it will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Secondly, I have to admit that once I started reading it, I was completely unable to put it down. It has this irresistible charm that draws you in and doesn't let go.

Thirdly, I would highly recommend that you fasten your seatbelt and keep a baseball bat close by. This book is that intense and thrilling.

Finally, I must mention that Pete Dexter is outstanding in his writing. His ability to create such a vivid and engaging story is truly remarkable.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, then this book is a must-read for you.

A real gem!

This phrase is often used to describe something truly remarkable and precious. It could refer to a person, an object, or an experience that stands out from the ordinary.

For example, a beautiful piece of jewelry might be called a real gem. Its exquisite craftsmanship and rare stones make it a valuable and highly sought-after item.

Similarly, a person with exceptional qualities and talents can also be considered a real gem. Their kindness, intelligence, and creativity make them shine in a crowd and bring joy and inspiration to those around them.

In addition, a memorable experience can also be a real gem. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, a special event, or a moment of deep connection with someone. These experiences stay with us forever and add meaning and richness to our lives.

Whether it's a physical object, a person, or an experience, a real gem is something that we cherish and hold dear. It is a source of beauty, inspiration, and value that enriches our lives in countless ways.

Wealthy, Southern, White business owner is accused of killing a little black girl during a loan collection visit gone bad.

In a small town in Georgia during the 50's, race relations and prejudices figure prominently. The town is a microcosm of the larger racial tensions of the era.

Told from the point of view of Paris, his lawyer, his wife, and others in this town, the story unfolds with a web of complex emotions and motives.

Paris, the lawyer, is caught between his loyalty to his client and his own sense of justice. His wife, on the other hand, is more concerned with maintaining their social status and reputation.

The other characters in the town also have their own prejudices and biases, which further complicate the situation.

This is an excellent story about mostly repugnant characters, who are forced to confront their own demons and face the consequences of their actions. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of equality and justice, and the devastating effects of prejudice and discrimination.

**Troubled Souls**

This is a captivating tale set in a small town in Georgia shortly after World War II. The central figure is a warped and deeply troubled man named Paris Trout. Just as a trout might briefly leap into the light before disappearing into the darkness, Trout's descent into malevolence sends out disturbing ripples that affect everyone whose life he touches.

The town has those who live on the fringes, segregated by the color of their skin. Among them are some of the purest souls. Miss Mary, a maid, stands out. She has a loving heart and rescues an abused and abandoned girl named Rose. However, due to the actions of Mary's oldest son, a series of events unfold that lead to a murder and a wounding.
Trout and his partner in crime, a brutal ex-cop with a hatred for black people, are brought to trial. They are certain that they will not be convicted by the white people in this southern town. Two lawyers enter the scene. One attempts to defend Trout, while the other handles the divorce action initiated by the abused and troubled Mrs. Trout. Both lawyers have their own marital problems, with one lawyer's adultery resulting in gratuitously graphic sex scenes.
As the town joyfully celebrates its 150th anniversary, Trout, on the verge of a long-delayed jail sentence for bribery, acts out in a violent manner, which is the climax of the story. After that, the novel descends into an anticlimactic tying up of loose ends.
This novel won the National Book Award, evidently for its sensitive portrayal of postwar racial relations. The author has created a compelling story populated with multi-faceted characters. Its realism is convincing, although the warped personality of the lead character is believable mainly considering his mental health issues, which are liberally laced with the taint of evil. Ironically, early in the story, the mother of little Rose casts her out because she is "possessed by the devil," setting in motion Rose's tragic confrontation with Trout, who far more accurately fits that description. It is truly a worthwhile read.

In Pete Dexter's award-winning tour de force, which is set in the fictional Cotton Point, Georgia, Paris Trout, an unapologetic racist, commits a violent act right at the novel's beginning.

This single act then sets in motion a chain of events that have a profound impact on the entire town and on Trout himself. The remainder of the novel unfolds, presenting a detailed exploration of how this act reverberates through the community.

The novel is divided into nine sections, each one offering a different character's perspective. This allows the reader to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various personalities and their roles in the story. The primary characters are developed extremely well, with their strengths and weaknesses being vividly portrayed.

The setting is described with such precision and detail that it is easy for the reader to imagine the small post-WW II town. The plot never loses its momentum, instead, it progresses steadily, leading the reader towards the climatic ending. The author's depiction of Trout's paranoia is both tragically comic, adding an interesting layer to the character.

However, the reader should be warned that some of the acts of violence are described in such graphic detail that it can be quite disturbing. This novel has been translated into a movie starring Dennis Hopper, Ed Harris, and Barbara Hersey. I am eager to watch it and compare it with my own imagination of the story as I read the novel.

I became aware of this novel in the early to mid 1990's when the movie starring Dennis Hopper (Paris Trout), Ed Harris (Harry Seagraves), and Barbara Hershey (Hanna Trout) was released on DVD.

The story is a well-written but deeply disturbing account of the murder of a 12-year-old black girl. The main character, Paris Trout, shows no remorse for his actions. He believes he was justified in going to another person's home armed with a.45 and shooting two black females in an attempt to collect a debt that neither of the victims had any part in creating.

"Law without compassion is not law at all." - Harry Seagraves.

If Paris Trout were a Muslim and claimed that "Shariah Law" gave him the right to cut off a debtor's hand for refusing to pay a debt, would that make the debtor a thief? And would you consider Paris Trout a compassionate man? Under "Shariah Law," if Paris Trout commits sodomy with a bottle on his wife, is it a crime when this same "Law" views her as his property and he has the right to treat his property as he sees fit? These are thought-provoking questions that the story raises.

The movie and the novel it is based on offer a powerful exploration of themes such as justice, morality, and the consequences of one's actions. They force us to confront the dark side of human nature and question our own beliefs and values.

The links provided, https://youtu.be/fs5C6HFk4VQ and https://youtu.be/_FBbgH_BWzM, may offer further insights into the movie or related discussions.

Overall, this is a story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading or watching it. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper implications of our actions and the laws that govern us.

Most who've become familiar with the torrent of profanity from Ian McShane's rants on HBO's "Deadwood" will find it curious that the show's production was merely a revisitation in title, place, and characters' namesake from the original narrative in Pete Dexter's novel. After reading the book and watching the series' first season, I'll venture to add that—both being parallel extractions of some historic notoriety—the original is usually the preferred version. Usually. (A Chinaman's corpse-eating hogs, aside).

One character who convincingly attached himself, not in the book, was the Reverend W.H. Smith portrayed by Raymond Wilkes McKinnon. Coincidentally, he also appears in the movie version of "Paris Trout" as Carl Bonner. One of its main characters in the Southern Gothic made-for-television drama (1991), along with Ed Harris (Harry Seagraves), Barbara Hershey (Hanna Nile Trout), and Dennis Hopper (the relentlessly cruel and delusional antagonist for which the book is titled). I haven't seen the adapted screenplay, only its trailer. But as far as I can imagine, it seems like this National Book Award winner (1988) is well-suited enough for a Hollywood remake. Dexter has a style that is cinematic to begin with—his racist-laden southern whitetrash drawl and the inflections of speech conducive to various social stations (and ethnicity) in a small town celebrating 150 years of Georgian history; post-WWII dating back to its antebellum origins.

It is, for all the finer points as described, Southern Gothic lit. A genre familiar to anyone who has read Flannery O'Conner, William Faulkner, Harper Lee, Carson McCullers, Walker Percy. Surprisingly, Dexter doesn't show up on this list. So he's a credible mimic. I'll give him that. I initially gave the effort four stars, but it's closer to somewhere in the middle, slouching toward three. The first thing that qualifies as a definitive deterrent, at least for my own comfort level, is Dexter's "inclination" toward fetishized sex-scenes; being exceedingly graphic, disturbingly deviant even, and unnecessary to the narrative. A more discreet handling, if you will, seems consistent with the manner of propriety known to the genteel South. Deadwood, and the unrestrained carnal proclivity of a primitive mining town before western statehood, is—one would presume—a setting more aptly suited to such authorial license.

The plot mercifully sustains a lively pace throughout; not usually the case where trials and courtroom proceedings are concerned. Again, these claustrophobic, docketed settings in the dead heat of summer seem akin to the genre; flustered red faces, the constant fanning with straw hats and damping of handkerchiefs, loose ties (always too fat and short), wrinkled sweat-stained white shirts rolled up above the elbow—the judge excuses himself from hearings, taking frequent recesses in chambers to change undergarments and cover himself in baby powder. I have to say: it's a cliché. My affinity for the genre is, at best, mixed. Tennessee Williams' adaptations for the big screen, however, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958) and his other classics—being the exception—always off-the-charts. So, not to spoil with a plot synopsis, "Paris Trout" is deserving of a read. Even if you get a musty, hardcover copy from someone's basement sold online. Not an audio book. But an olfactory one.

Pete Dexter's novel is truly one of the best. It is not only among his finest works but also one of the greatest books I have ever come across when it comes to depicting the profound impacts of narrow-mindedness and racism on an entire town.

Paris Trout, a character who personifies redneck racism and misogyny, commits a heinous crime that plagues him and ultimately leads to his downfall. Resembling a modern-day rendition of "Crime and Punishment," this book embarks you on a psychological odyssey into the minds of those who are ensnared in a town where time appears to stand still in the era of sharecropping Negroes, obese White bosses, and terrified townspeople held captive by their own dread of change.

Dexter possesses an uncanny knack for vividly describing the physical and psychological experiences that humans endure when they are transformed by obsessive greed and other malevolent compulsions. His writing style is so immersive that it allows the readers to truly understand the complex emotions and inner turmoil of the characters. It is a captivating and thought-provoking read that leaves a lasting impression.

Reading the blurb, I initially thought this book was solely about racism and sexism in the deep south. However, it turns out to be so much more than that.

It truly covers nearly the entire gamut of sins. There is greed, which drives the actions of many characters. Lust rears its ugly head, causing turmoil and conflict. Jealousy also plays a significant role, not only within the main character but even among those who are supposed to be the good ones.

The book is extremely realistic. It makes us realize that within each of us, there are different personas. We all have the potential to exhibit these various sins at different times. It forces us to look within ourselves and confront the darker aspects of our nature. This book is not just a story; it is a mirror that reflects the complex and often flawed human condition.

So much better than Paris Hilton.

She is just a socialite with more fame than substance.

But not quite as good as Paris France - it would be an unfair comparison.

The city of Paris in France is a world-renowned destination with its rich history, art, and architecture.

As for Paris Texas, yeah, better than the film, which I thought had a nice soundtrack but was a leetle bit on the wanky side, as many European-auteurs-in-America turn out to be.

The film may have had some redeeming qualities, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

I could also say - not as thrillingly weird as Trout Mask Replica.

That album is truly a unique and strange piece of work.

But loads better than a trout.

A trout is just a fish, after all.

Comparisons are invidious, but I thought these were pretty vidious.

Sometimes it's hard not to compare things, but we should try to be fair and objective.