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Losing Battles

eudora welty

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On the hot, dry first Sunday of August, three generations of Granny Vaughn’s descendants gather at her home in the little town of Banner, Mississippi, to celebrate her ninetieth birthday. The celebrations take only two days, but many members of the family are great storytellers, and when they get together, the temptation is irresistible—a device that enables Eudora Welty to take the reader back into the lost battles of the past, capturing different tones of voice and ways of thinking.

436 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1970
Literary awards
national book award finalist, 

This edition

Format
436 pages, Paperback
Published
August 11, 1990 by Vintage
ISBN
9780679728825
ASIN
0679728821
Language
English

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About the author

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eudora welty

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Eudora Alice Welty was an award-winning American author who wrote short stories and novels about the American South. Her book The Optimist's Daughter won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among numerous awards. She was the first living author to have her works published by the Library of America.

Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and lived a significant portion of her life in the city's Belhaven neighborhood, where her home has been preserved. She was educated at the Mississippi State College for Women (now called Mississippi University for Women), the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Columbia Business School. While at Columbia University, where she was the captain of the women's polo team, Welty was a regular at Romany Marie's café in 1930.

During the 1930s, Welty worked as a photographer for the Works Progress Administration, a job that sent her all over the state of Mississippi photographing people from all economic and social classes. Collections of her photographs are One Time, One Place and Photographs.

Welty's true love was literature, not photography, and she soon devoted her energy to writing fiction. Her first short story, "Death of a Traveling Salesman," appeared in 1936. Her work attracted the attention of Katherine Anne Porter, who became a mentor to her and wrote the foreword to Welty's first collection of short stories, A Curtain of Green, in 1941. The book immediately established Welty as one of American literature's leading lights and featured the legendary and oft-anthologized stories "Why I Live at the P.O.," "Petrified Man," and "A Worn Path." Her novel, The Optimist's Daughter, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973.

In 1992, Welty was awarded the Rea Award for the Short Story for her lifetime contributions to the American short story, and was also a charter member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, founded in 1987. In her later life, she lived near Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi, where, despite her fame, she was still a common sight among the people of her hometown.
Eudora Welty died of pneumonia in Jackson, Mississippi, at the age of 92, and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Jackson.

Excerpted and adopted from Wikipedia.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 96 votes)
5 stars
31(32%)
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37(39%)
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28(29%)
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96 reviews All reviews
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psygremlin
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have never attended a family reunion quite like the one for Granny Vaughn's 90th birthday. Sadly, all but one of my grandparents passed away before I was born, and the last one died before I turned 10. However, I have been to countless Christmas open houses, Thanksgiving get-togethers, family weddings, and funerals. And these events all give rise to some of the experiences that Welty describes in "Losing Battles" (albeit without the car on the cliff or the various animals).

"Losing Battles" is a warm-hearted, yet occasionally biting, story of a large family reunion to celebrate Granny's 90th birthday and the return of her grandson, Jack, from his time away. There are stories told that evoke laughter, embarrassment, perhaps a short brawl or a strong disagreement. Secrets, both new and old, are revealed. And there is an abundance of food consumed by all. There are babies to be adored by the older generation and new family members to be tested. Being new to an established family can be a challenging place to be.

Moreover, there is preaching! This is something that never occurred at my family events, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Vaughns, the Renfros, and others comment on this year's preacher who couldn't measure up to last year's - Grandpa. But then again, I'm a Northern girl with no experience in that kind of preaching.
This reunion is separated from me by geography and almost a century, as it is set in 1930s Mississippi. Nevertheless, I felt as if I was there, thanks to the immediacy of Welty's writing, the beauty of her descriptions of the landscapes, and the vivid images she created of her characters. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all those who desire a Southern experience filled with emotion.

It truly offers a captivating and immersive look into the lives and dynamics of a large Southern family during a significant event.

The story is rich with details and emotions that will resonate with readers, transporting them to a different time and place.

Whether you have a personal connection to the South or simply enjoy a well-written family saga, "Losing Battles" is sure to delight and engage you.
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Pogiman666
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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During early June, I delved into one of Eudora Welty’s short stories, “A Worn Path.” The captivating prose of that piece left me eager to explore a full-length work by her.

“Losing Battles,” set in the summer of the 1930s in Mississippi, caught my eye and seemed like the ideal choice for a lazy summer day of reading. Sadly, my June was far from lazy, and I believe I will revisit this book someday when I can sit down and fully soak in the rich words that seemed to leap off the pages.

Descriptions such as “They walked through waist-high spires of cypress weed, green as strong poison, where the smell of weed and the heat of sun made equal forces, like foes well matched or sweethearts come together” and “The distant point of the ridge, like the tongue of a calf, put its red lick on the sky” added a touch of magic to the story.

When I initially finished reading this novel, I was a bit overwhelmed, not because it was hard to read but because there were so many stories told through the medium of Granny Vaughn’s ninetieth birthday party. This could have been an epic family saga if spread over more pages. Now that a few days have passed and life has calmed down a bit, I have been able to sift through all the remarkable passages I highlighted along the way. I now realize what a wonderful story Welty crafted by weaving together the strands of Granny’s family history.

Granny has a large, sprawling family that I have no personal experience with. However, these multigenerational reunions fascinate me, imagining all the brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins coming together to celebrate the life of this remarkable matriarch and reminisce about their own achievements, longings, hardships, and sorrows. Even some family secrets are uncovered, some of which are quite shocking! I thought of this family much as Welty described the magnificent and venerable tree in the yard.

If you’re looking for a story with a fast-paced, engaging plot, you won’t find it here. Not much actually occurs during the twenty-four-hour family reunion/birthday party. What does happen is somewhat drawn out over the course of this 400+ page novel. If you seek excellent character development, you may not be satisfied. But if you enjoy old-fashioned storytelling and imagining yourself in the midst of a family as each member shares an anecdote or two from their personal lives, then you might very well enjoy this. If you relish words that sparkle and come alive on the page, then you should give Welty a try. If you do, I suggest doing so in the way I wish I had – on the front porch with a cold glass of lemonade or sweet tea and few interruptions. “Losing Battles” rates a 3.5 from me, and after some reflection, it deserves to be rounded up to 4 stars.
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Lint
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I simply can't pen a proper review of this book because it was truly too wonderful for words.

As I delved into the story, it felt as if I had entered a warm and inviting family reunion. I remained there until it gracefully came to an end, intently listening to every captivating story that was shared. I discovered something to cherish about each and every character, even those who had long since passed away and been laid to rest.

I indulged in delicious chicken pie and crispy fried chicken, along with cornbread and juicy watermelon, washing it all down with refreshing lemonade. I found myself laughing at the old, familiar jokes and uncovering family secrets that had been buried for ages. I played with the adorable babies, had my heart broken by the old maid aunts who had no real home to call their own, and was in awe of Granny on her momentous 90th birthday.

Reluctantly, I hated to part ways with them all, but as the night grew late, it was time for me to go.

This book is truly beyond compare, and it has surpassed "Delta Wedding" as my absolute favorite work by Eudora Welty.
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OverkilledRed
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Eudora Welty crafts a truly Southern narrative centered around a Mississippi family. They are hosting a family reunion that also serves as a celebration for the family's eldest member, Granny Vaughn.

This story has a certain charm that makes it feel like a journey back in time, reminiscent of the world of my own childhood. My extended family used to have an annual reunion at a small church in the mountains where my father was born. I vividly recall sitting through those dinners where the food seemed to be in abundance, as if it would never end. I also listened intently to the musings and memories shared by great-aunts and uncles, aunts and uncles, and cousins who were old enough to be my parents.

I laughed at the funny anecdotes and applauded the things that bound these people together. However, there was an underlying element of sadness that permeated many of these lives. Even those stories told with humor often touched on serious subjects that had a profound and lasting impact on their lives.

Beyond the engaging story, Eudora Welty is perhaps one of the most exquisitely descriptive writers I have ever encountered. You could randomly open this book to any page and find an astonishing passage, just as I have done here.

The description of the crowd gathering around the new grave hole is so vivid that it makes you feel as if you are actually standing there. The details about the wreaths, the homemade offerings, and the old cedar trunk create a powerful image in the reader's mind.

Welty delves into some very serious topics throughout this novel. She makes you wonder about the isolation that can exist within a seemingly close-knit community, the lack of justice for some, and the miscarriage of punishments for others.

I was truly amazed by the family's ability to forgive and accept, and the sense that much of this acceptance stemmed from the almost fatalistic nature of life in such an environment.

This is my first experience with a Welty novel, but she has been on my reading list for a long time. I am certain that I will read more of her work at the earliest opportunity.
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isalvy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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When reading "Losing Battles", one will encounter pages filled with imaginative and excellent writing. However, suddenly, there are also pages or even chapters that resemble the crap of the Lil' Abneresque comic strip. It's a rather strange mix.


I firmly held onto the hope that there would be something poignant or redeeming at the end. But alas, there was nothing. After reading 436 pages, it seems that this book is just going to be forgotten.


Perhaps the author had good intentions, but the inconsistent quality makes it a bit of a disappointment. It's a pity that such potential was not fully realized.

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NinjaKittyTrist
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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It was truly a remarkable piece of writing.

While it was very well crafted, there were moments when it was a bit of a challenge to get through.

The family reunion aspect was highly relatable, evoking a sense of nostalgia in the reader.

The story had some twists that were incredibly surprising, keeping the reader on the edge of their seats.

Moreover, it was sprinkled with some pleasant comedy, which added a lighthearted touch to the overall tone.

When it comes to the writing itself, Eudora Welty's use of metaphors was truly unique and thought-provoking.

Her dialogue was also realistic and well executed, making the characters come alive on the page.

Overall, it was a captivating read that left a lasting impression.
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Episode_12
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I never thought I'd give a Welty novel two stars. However, this book is, sadly, very flawed and frustrating.

The story seems to lack a clear direction, meandering from one event to another without a strong overarching narrative. The characters, while initially interesting, fail to develop in a meaningful way. Their actions and decisions often feel forced and inconsistent, making it difficult to truly engage with them.

Additionally, the writing style, which is usually one of Welty's strengths, seems off in this particular work. The prose is sometimes overly flowery and convoluted, detracting from the overall readability of the book. It feels as if the author is trying too hard to be poetic and profound, rather than simply telling a good story.

Overall, this is a disappointing effort from a usually talented author. While there are some redeeming qualities, the flaws are too significant to overlook. I hope that Welty's future works will return to the high standards that she has set in the past.
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Luciberi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This particular one

turns out to be extremely long. It is not just long, but very, very talky. And to make matters worse, it is very, very, very boring. In fact, it is so boring that it is unreadably boring.

One might wonder why such a thing would exist. Maybe the author had a lot to say but didn't know how to say it in a more engaging way. Or perhaps they were simply trying to fill space.

Whatever the reason, it is a real pity. There are so many interesting and engaging things in the world to write about, and yet this piece fails to capture the reader's attention.

It serves as a reminder that when writing, it is important to be concise, clear, and interesting. Otherwise, the reader will quickly lose interest and move on to something more engaging.
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