I had high expectations for this work, anticipating it to be a tour de force comparable to that of Faulkner. However, I was left disappointed as the beginning seemed rather laborious.

Despite the possibility that the book might finish brilliantly, the initial part failed to engage me fully.

The story follows the fate of a young woman residing in Chicago. Her father, a prominent figure from a small town in the South, has just passed away suddenly.

He had recently remarried a woman significantly younger than himself. When reunited, the two women cordially despise each other.

Adding to the drama, the widow surprises the entire town when her family, which she had previously claimed did not exist, arrives at the funeral.

This novel does a good job of explaining the South's bourgeoisie, its codes, and traditions.

Nevertheless, something crucial seems to be missing. Just like with Faulkner's works, my mind is not completely under its spell.

There is a certain element that fails to grip me tightly and keep me fully immersed in the story.

Perhaps it is the pacing in the beginning or a lack of emotional depth in the characters.

Whatever the reason, it prevents this novel from reaching the heights I had expected.

This was just not my thing.

While certain parts of the writing were indeed good and the main two characters were excellent, it simply threw an overwhelming amount of information my way. As a reader, I started to get pointlessly confused.

I didn't have a strong hatred or liking for this. I regarded it to be extremely average.

I don't recommend it, though.

I am giving this one a 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Perhaps if the author had presented the story in a more organized and less convoluted manner, it might have been a more enjoyable read.

However, as it stands, it fails to make a lasting impression and falls short of expectations.

It's a pity because there were some promising elements, but they were overshadowed by the混乱 and lack of clarity.

Overall, it's a mediocre piece that I can't bring myself to recommend to others.

This short novel titled "The Optimist's Daughter" won Eudora Welty a Pulitzer in 1972. It tells the tale of Laurel McKelva, a middle-aged widower residing in Chicago. She is summoned to New Orleans to be by the side of her ailing father, the Judge. After the Judge passes away - in the South, one doesn't use the word "dies" - Laurel and her step-mother, the younger and self-centered Wanda Fay, return to the family home in Mississippi to bury the Judge.

This is the basic outline of the plot. Beyond this, not much occurs. However, through conversation and Laurel's silent observations, Welty paints a charming picture of Southern subtleties. There are differences between Mississippi folk and Texans. There is the proper way to grieve a death, as Laurel does, and the improper way, like Fay. The importance of position is emphasized, as well as a willingness to forgive an error in judgment but not a lack of manners.

Laurel is now alone in the world, having lost her mother, husband, and now her father. She must come to terms with this profound loss. Just like the creeping roses her mother nurtured, Laurel realizes that the memories she holds are not tied to material things. Instead, they are kept alive by the love from her parents and husband. This love still exists within her and will blossom wherever she may be.

This is a simple story, yet it is deeply rooted in the Southern soil, capturing the essence of Southern life and values.

http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/11/22...

I had a truly strange reading experience with this book. At first, I read a chapter and simply couldn't connect with it at all. So, I set it aside on my bedside table for a while. I focused on finishing the other books that were lying around.

Months later, around page 70, something suddenly clicked. I believe it was the vivid description of the funeral and really getting hooked into Welty's profound understanding of the intricacies of southern etiquette, both the spoken and, more importantly, the unspoken (yet expected) aspects. It was truly solidified for me when she described books and how they connected her to her father, who had just passed away.

The neighbors respected her father for his strength as he was dying of cancer. Meanwhile, his young second wife was rather silly and had bouts of overly dramatic mourning that weren't what people wanted to see. As Miss Tennyson Bullock said, "There's no telling when she last had a decent home-cooked meal with honest vegetables. That goes a long way toward explaining everything."

Welty uses a plethora of southernisms that are very familiar to those of us living in the region. Phrases like saying someone "liked-to" as in "He liked-to bled to death a mile from home." or "Fixing to _____." This is most definitely a southern tale.

A few other snippets that stood out in my first reading were: "The mystery in how little we know of other people is no greater than the mystery of how much." and "She was sent to sleep under a velvety cloak of words, richly patterned and stitched with gold, straight out of a fairy tale, while they went reading on into her dreams." Also, "For every book here she had heard their voices, father's and mother's. And perhaps it didn't matter to them, not always, what they read aloud; it was the breath of life flowing between them, and the words of the moment riding on it that held them in delight. Between some two people every word is beautiful."

Esa tabla de pan podría haber jugado un gran papel.

It could have been the centerpiece of a beautiful story, a novela with a distinct southern flavor.

Imagine a small town in the South, where the smell of freshly baked bread fills the air.

The tabla de pan, or breadboard, sits in the kitchen of an old family home.

It has seen generations of families gather around it, sharing stories and breaking bread together.

Maybe it was passed down from grandmother to granddaughter, a cherished heirloom.

Or perhaps it was a gift from a neighbor, a symbol of friendship and community.

Whatever its history, the tabla de pan holds a special place in the hearts of those who have used it.

It could be the inspiration for a novel that explores themes of family, tradition, and the power of food to bring people together.

Objects and memory. For me, it's a complete discovery.

I have always been intrigued by how objects can hold so much significance and trigger memories.

It's as if each object has a story to tell, a piece of my past that is locked away within it.

Whether it's a childhood toy, a photograph, or a piece of jewelry, these objects have the power to transport me back in time and evoke a range of emotions.

I find myself constantly drawn to these tangible reminders of my life, and I am always eager to explore the memories that they hold.

This discovery has made me more aware of the importance of preserving these objects and the memories that they represent.

I will definitely return to this exploration, as I believe there is still so much more to uncover.

You often encounter this character more frequently in movies, or perhaps even in history or real life. However, in books, it is a relatively rare sight, as I have discovered. I am referring to The Scene-Stealer.

It is not Judge McKelva, the self-proclaimed Optimist as per the book's title. He is a widower who has now remarried. Sadly, he meets an untimely end: some eye problem necessitates surgery, and then his heart unexpectedly fails during his recovery in the hospital.

Nor is it Judge McKelva's daughter, Laurel. She lost her husband in the War and still mourns her mother. She returns to Mississippi from Chicago in the turmoil following her father's death and funeral. Small-town traditions, loss, and memories accompany her in the aftermath.

You might furrow your brow, pondering over the lessons here, such as the symbolism of a perfectly crafted breadboard. But, to be honest, it's a difficult task on St. Patrick's Day.

However, I became animated every time Fay, the Judge's second wife, made an appearance. What a gloriously irreverent, self-centered, unlikable woman she turns out to be, someone who says the first thing that pops into her head and doesn't care whose feelings are hurt by her candor. She is 30 years younger than the Judge, and aside from that, it's hard to fathom the attraction. But I eagerly awaited what she would say next. Like when the Judge dies and the attending physician, appropriately solemn, laments, "I couldn't save him." Fay's response: "You picked my birthday to do it on!" She never, not for a single moment, deviates from the consistency of that character. And when her family from Texas arrives for the funeral, you can see that she inherited it honestly.

Maybe there should be a sequel: The Scene-Stealer's Daughter. It might be the only occupation left that they haven't written a book about.

The Optimist's Daughter (1972) by Eudora Welty is a work that delves into the themes of loss and the aftermath of death.

It features evocative writing that showcases the power of memories. However, while some parts are eloquent, most of the story feels impersonal and muddled.

The awful stepmom and the "bridesmaids" talks seem to steal the show, leaving the main characters underdeveloped.

Trite scenes are given inflated meaning, and the ending fails to satisfy. The book also comes with needless nuances that make it hard to relate to.

Nevertheless, it is didactic in its use of Southernisms. The title refers to the protagonist Laurel, whose father Clinton McKena was the "Optimist," especially regarding his wife's health misfortunes.

Perhaps this was his coping mechanism or a form of denial, pretending everything was fine. Overall, while the book has its merits, it calls for more in terms of character development and a more satisfying conclusion.

It received a rating of 2.5/5 stars, and one wonders if it truly deserved the Pulitzer Prize. #Etheree #StackedEtheree #ReviewPoem #bereavement #fatherdaughter #funeral #hospital #inlaws #marriage #NewOrleans #PulitzerPrize #socialclass #Texas #TheSouth

(Oddly enough) this recovered Christmas Eve vibes! It's truly a remarkable thing. As Christmas Eve approaches, there is a sense of magic and wonder in the air. The decorations are up, the lights are twinkling, and the anticipation is palpable. It's a time when families come together, sharing love and laughter. The smell of Christmas cookies baking in the oven fills the house, adding to the cozy atmosphere. And as the night falls, the stars shine bright above,仿佛 guiding us towards a season of joy and peace. Thank you so much Whitman xxxx for helping to bring back these wonderful Christmas Eve vibes. It's a gift that we will cherish and remember for a long time.

A perfect novel that delves deep into the themes of family, hometowns, the tenacious grip of memory, and the profound dignity of living with sadness.

It is written in such a quiet and yet highly eloquent manner, brutally honest and full of heart.

The story weaves a beautiful tapestry that explores the complex relationships within a family, the significance of one's hometown, and how memories can shape our lives.

The author skillfully portrays the characters' emotions and experiences, making the readers feel as if they are a part of the story.

Despite the sadness that pervades the narrative, there is a glimmer of hope and a sense of dignity that shines through.

It is a novel that will touch your heart and make you reflect on your own life and the importance of family, hometown, and memory.

Overall, it is a remarkable work of literature that is not to be missed.

I didn't expect Welty to exceed my expectations after reading her first short story collection. However, this novel has truly earned a perfect 5⭐ without any flaws.

With her boldness in depicting human nature, in describing her native South with a magnificent sense of nostalgia, and with the abundant use of metaphors, love, death, family, and memory are presented as the sole consolation. In this novel, Eudora delves deep into these existential minutiae.

The truth is that there are so many things hidden between the lines, between the actions of the characters and their deficiencies. I could go on and on about it. Without a doubt, it's a precious book! I absolutely loved it!

This was a truly lovely little novel that delved into the complex theme of family, both old and new. Seen from the perspective of an only child who is now an adult, it explores her journey of coping with the death of her father and coming to terms with his despised second wife.

The vivid description of a southern funeral in the story is not only a powerful scene but also provides rich material for future sociologists to study. It offers a unique glimpse into the cultural and social aspects of a southern community during such an important event.

As the story progresses, Laurel gradually learns to let go of the past. Her emotional outburst when she wept for what happened to life is a poignant moment that showcases her growth and acceptance.

For Welty, this novel rightfully won a Pulitzer. It is a beautifully written portrayal of a small southern town and its people, capturing their essence, their joys, and their sorrows with remarkable skill and sensitivity.