I received this book from my cousin at our family reunion which took place in Mississippi in the early 2000's, so close to 20 years ago. It truly is remarkable how time has flown by. It took a pandemic for me to finally pick it up and I was resolute in my determination to finish it, despite the difficulties that lay ahead.

Coincidentally, "Losing Battles" takes place at a family reunion in about a day. There were an overwhelming number of family members to keep track of. To make matters even worse, they frequently went off on conversational tangents, which I found extremely hard to follow, or even to care about. All families are complex, but the Beechum/Renfro clan was particularly challenging for me to keep up with. At this annual reunion, Grandma is celebrating her birthday, possibly her last, and her great grandson, Jack, is coming home from Parchman Prison to his wife and young daughter, who he has never seen. Matters become even more complicated when the judge who sentenced Jack travels through their town of Banner with his wife in their Buick. Judge Moody's car first goes into a ditch (and Jack rescues them), then ends up on a mountain ledge. I had a great deal of trouble following how the car came to be on the ledge and remained there into the night.

Though I did not have a great deal of affection for the seemingly never-ending dialogue, I did take great pleasure in the descriptive passages of the story. The author's use of language to paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind was truly masterful. For example, "Stand still: your answer always comes along." (154) This simple yet profound statement holds a great deal of wisdom. Another beautiful passage is, "She read in the daytime...And that was a thing surpassing strange for a well woman to do." (294) This description adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the character. The descriptions of the setting, such as "Around then the white tablecloths, clotted with shadows, still held the light, and so did old men's white shirts, and Sunday dresses with their skirts spread round or in points on the evening hill. The tables in their line appeared strung and hinged like the Big Dipper in the night sky, and the diamonds of the other cloths seemed to repeat themselves for a space far out on the deep blue of dust that now reached to Heaven." (306) and "The cloud showed motion within, like an old transport truck piled high with crate on crate of sleepy white chickens. The moon, like an eye turned up in a trance, filmed over and seemed to turn loose from its track and to float sightless. First floating veils, then coarse dark tents were being packed across the sky, then the heavy, chained-together shapes humped after them." (367) are truly breathtaking and transport the reader into the heart of the story.

May I just say that Eudora Welty's dialogue is truly brilliant? Her words seem to dance off the page, bringing the characters to life in the most vivid way. However, as I reached the halfway point of the novel, I found myself in a bit of a quandary. Only one significant thing had happened, and the other was still lingering in a state of uncertainty, as if it was still deciding if it was going to happen.

Maybe this is the genius of Welty, to build up the anticipation so masterfully that the reader is left on the edge of their seat. Or perhaps it was a misstep, and the pacing was just a bit too slow for my taste. I'm not entirely sure. But one thing is certain: I just couldn't bring myself to read any farther.

The story had lost its momentum for me, and I was left feeling a bit frustrated. I wanted more action, more resolution. But perhaps that's the beauty of literature – it can evoke such a wide range of emotions and responses from different readers. Maybe someone else would find Welty's pacing to be perfect, and would be completely enthralled by the story until the very end.

The article has its merits as it is well-written. However, the pacing is extremely slow.

This slow pace might not be suitable for every situation. There are different times and places where a different speed would be more appropriate.

For instance, in a fast-paced environment such as a bustling city or a high-energy event, a slower pace might cause the audience to lose interest or become impatient.

On the other hand, in a more relaxed or contemplative setting, the slow pace could be appreciated for its ability to allow the reader or viewer to fully absorb the details and nuances.

It is important to consider the context and the intended audience when determining the appropriate pacing.

By adjusting the speed, the article can better engage and connect with its readers, making it more effective and impactful.

This book has been a slow read for me.

I took it with me to read in the waiting room at the doctor's. The next day, I couldn't locate it and suspected that perhaps I had left it in the waiting room.

To my disappointment, when I found the book next to my bed, after reading up to page 188, I decided not to read any further.

The author indeed writes lovely prose. However, it seems to go on and on and on. There are pages and pages of detailed description with very little action to drive the plot forward.

This makes the reading experience rather tedious at times.

I was hoping for a more engaging story with a faster pace, but unfortunately, this book failed to meet my expectations in that regard.

Maybe for some readers who enjoy rich descriptions and a slower narrative, this book would be a great choice. But for me, it just didn't hold my interest enough to continue reading.

Unfortunately, I hold the firm opinion that no one can truly appreciate this book in the same profound way as I do. The moment you engage in a personal conversation with me about it, I'm likely to shed tears of joy and deep emotion. This book has touched my heart and soul in a way that words can hardly describe. It's not just a collection of pages and stories; it's a world that I've immersed myself in, a world that has become a part of me. I loved every single word, every character, and every plot twist. It has left an indelible mark on my literary journey, and I'm certain that it will always hold a special place in my heart.

I really liked it!

It was such an interesting piece that I couldn't help but read it.

It seems to date back to around 1986 or so.

The content within it must have been quite engaging to have caught my attention so firmly.

I wonder what exactly it was about this that made it so appealing.

Maybe it was the unique perspective it offered or the way the story was told.

Whatever the reason, I'm glad I came across it and took the time to read it.

It has left a lasting impression on me and I'll likely remember it for a long time to come.

I hope there are more works like this one that I can discover and enjoy in the future.

While I have held a great appreciation for many of Eudora Welty's works in the past, I must admit that this particular book presented quite a challenge for me. It is set around a family reunion that takes place on a grandmother's farm in northeast Mississippi during the Great Depression to celebrate her 90th birthday. The majority of the story unfolds through dialogue, with very few explanatory introductions. A significant part of the narrative revolves around Jack, who arrives at the reunion directly after serving time in prison. The numerous conversations within the book are often convoluted and difficult to follow. I had to exert a great deal of effort to finally persevere and make it through the entire text. It was a laborious task that required a great deal of concentration and patience on my part.

I've been having a strong desire to read something penned by Eudora Welty for a long time. And finally, I picked up this particular book. At first, I had a rather tough time getting fully immersed in it. I believe the reason was that it took me a while to truly be able to hear in my mind the cadences of the dialogue. Since I'm not from the Deep South, the speech idioms and rhythms were not familiar to me.

However, once I managed to get into it, I truly liked it. In a certain way, it reminded me of Tom Sawyer. It was in the manner that situations emerged which were both absurd and yet believable, through the natural progression of strong characters going about their daily lives. I never burst out laughing while reading it, but I smiled quite a lot.

The entire story unfolds during an extended family gathering that lasts for a 2-day period in a small rural Mississippi community in the 1930s. The people there don't have much money, or perhaps even none at all. But they possess strength and a sense of pride in their community and family.

Multiple story lines are running concurrently. They include several ongoing feuds, such as between Methodists and Baptists, between the shopkeeper and Jack, and between a woman and her former mentor. There are also minor mysteries, like who the parents of the orphan are and what Uncle Nathan is repenting for. And the central drama is: what will happen to the stranded car?

I found this book to be very satisfying, and I will definitely be reading more works by Eudora Welty in the near future.

Two stars because one has to be skillful to relate in 500 pages 24 hours of the life of a set of uninteresting people. Characters who don't engage.

This assessment seems rather harsh. While it may be true that the characters in the story lack immediate appeal, perhaps the author was aiming for a different kind of narrative. Maybe the intention was to explore the ordinary lives of these individuals in great detail, revealing the hidden nuances and subtleties that often go unnoticed.

It could also be that the reader's expectations were not met. If one is looking for a fast-paced, action-packed story with larger-than-life characters, then this book might not be the right fit. However, if one is willing to slow down and engage with the text on a deeper level, there may be something to discover.

Perhaps the author was trying to make a statement about the banality of everyday life or the human condition. In any case, it's important to approach a book with an open mind and give it a chance to prove itself.

Welty's prose is unashamedly beautiful. Her descriptions are lyrical and poetic, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

And, although the action of this novel takes place over only a day and a half, at a 1930s backwoods Mississippi family reunion, it manages to convey a sense of a truly grand epic.

It is a universal human drama,展现了人类情感和经历的复杂性. The pattern of family dynamics, love, loss, and growth is repeated again and again through the centuries.

Reading this novel, one can't help but appreciate Welty's genius as a regional writer. She captures the essence of the Mississippi backwoods with such authenticity and detail.

Her mastery of language is also evident, as she weaves words together to create a beautiful and engaging narrative. Welty's work is a testament to the power of literature to transport us to different times and places and to make us feel deeply connected to the human experience.

My edition has 416 pages.

The plan for now is to alternate between my "to read" list and my awesome collection of rescued books from the town transfer station. This one is from the latter category. I've never read a full novel by Miss Eudora. Just a few short stories. So far, this one is pretty entertaining as the author has set for herself the daunting task of setting her story in the midst of an unfolding family reunion. There are so many voices! Apparently, there are few if any black people up in the NE hills of Mississippi. Just a lot of poor white farmers. It's the 1930s, but I'll bet it's not all that different even today. I suppose they all have televisions but still not much money. EW's approach is considerably lighter than Faulkner or McCarthy, but she's every bit as "regional" as those two. Calder Willingham and Erskine Caldwell would fall somewhere in between, I guess. I wonder if Marilynne Robinson named her character Jack Boughton from "Home" and "Gilead" as a tribute to this book and its author? Her Jack is the prodigal, while this book's Jack is more Christ-like. One issue for me: everybody at this huge reunion is screaming and yelling at each other. Mostly in good nature, but even though I can't literally hear it, my brain is getting stressed. Weird...

Day two... Not much going on but the hot dry August weather and the neverending parade of colorful characters. Three set pieces so far: the arrival of the relatives, the uncertain fate of Mrs. Judge's Buick, and currently the big reunion feast. I think the Reverend is still speaking, but everyone's digging in anyway. Mostly it's all a set-up for lots of story-telling and the word-painting of the social, historical, and natural setting. Miss Eudora likes to get into her descriptions of the natural world as much as the human one. Similar to Willa Cather and SE Nebraska. So... is this all just a bit overwrought and overwritten? I guess you could say that. My feeling is that it's important to accept what you're getting and hang in there if at all possible with any book that's a challenge but might seem worthy. This book can be challenging at times. I'm still confused as to the precise physical/geographical relationship between Banner Top and the road. And it does matter (sort of)! There can be so much going on verbally at one time, in one moment, that it's head-scratching. I keep having to go back and re-read s-l-o-w-l-y and mindfully. Even then, the details don't always add up.

Day three... The supper's about over, and the women have gathered to talk with a couple of men allowed. They reminisce about Miss Julia, the schoolteacher, and how they all resisted her attempts to educate them. At this point, one can see some themes coming through. One's about how these people must buy into the whole family system and history. It gives them strength even as it limits the possibilities for their lives. They're proud of resisting Miss Julia's attempts to make their lives better and more "expanded". They don't have much regard for her. She's not one of them. We get into Gloria's story, a pretty grim and serious business, but again the family emotional environment is somewhat crude and unsympathetic. Strange...

Day four... I only read a bit this weekend as I was sports-absorbed (NFL draft). The slow revealing of Miss Julia's story continues as Lexie and the Judge have much to contribute. A cautionary tale about getting old in the company of unsympathetic, closed-minded, emotionally limited (non-family) people. The meaning of the title becomes clearer as it applies to the teacher's life and therefore the author's as well since she was a teacher.

Day five and done... A tough book to rate as it comes in two distinct parts: one is the backwoods slapstick stuff with the car, and the other is the serious family story stuff and the stuff about the teacher's life. It's part Faulkner and part "The Dukes of Hazzard". By the end, it also reminded me of "O Brother Where Art Thou?" and was the only place I can recall other than "Outer Dark" that used the word "chap" for "baby". 3.75 rounds up to 4 stars.

I made an attempt. Truly, I had a strong desire to read it as my book group was going to have a discussion about it. However, I simply could not manage to get through it.

It seemed to make no sense at all. The story was so convoluted and the writing style was so difficult to follow. I found myself constantly getting lost and confused.

Moreover, I didn't care enough about the characters. They didn't seem real or relatable to me. I couldn't bring myself to invest the time and effort to keep trying to understand the dialect.

I felt frustrated and disappointed. I had been looking forward to this book, but it just didn't meet my expectations. Maybe it was just not the right book for me at this time.