Most of the stories in this collection didn't really speak to me.

I am also not a fan of the writing style. It seems rather ordinary and fails to capture my attention fully.

However, the genius of Eudora Welty and her writing is clear as she paints pictures of the people of Morgana throughout their life span.

Her descriptions are so vivid that one can almost see the characters come to life.

She delves deep into their emotions, their joys, and their sorrows, making the reader truly understand and empathize with them.

Despite my initial reservations about the collection, Welty's talent shines through and makes it a worthwhile read.

It is as if she has a special gift for bringing the small town of Morgana and its inhabitants to the forefront, allowing us to experience their lives along with them.

Her writing is a testament to her skill and creativity, and I look forward to exploring more of her works in the future.

What I know for sure about Eudora Welty’s short story collection, The Golden Apples, is that it is a complex and captivating work. Each story is filled with rich symbolism, both sexual and mythical, which makes it a challenging read. In fact, the better part of it often goes over my head.

The stories are strange and mystical, yet at the same time, they are earthy and unpretentious. It’s as if Welty is presenting a world that is both familiar and foreign. I’m quite certain that one could study these stories closely and write a doctoral thesis on them, and still not fully understand everything that Welty is saying or implying.

The collection is built around the poem “The Song of Wandering Aengus” by W. B. Yeats. In the poem, the narrator searches for a mythical beauty represented by a girl. Similarly, Welty’s characters are also on a search, whether it be for beauty, meaning, a place to fit in, or something greater in life. Each story builds upon the last in a cycle of revelations, but the true events and results are often not clearly stated. Sometimes, we don’t discover the full picture until the next story.

I would like to say that I loved this collection, but perhaps I’m growing lazy in my old age. It required a great deal of effort on my part to uncover the meaning, and even then, I felt that I had probably missed at least half of it. However, I must admit that I did love the poem that inspired the collection. It added an extra layer of depth and mystery to the stories.

Overall, The Golden Apples is a remarkable work that demands the reader’s full attention and engagement. It’s a collection that I will likely return to again and again, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of its many secrets.

Stopped on page 108.

There is a lady setting fire to a house, and yet so many observers seem to be extremely nonchalant about it. It's a rather strange and concerning scene.

Then there is a husband and wife tromping through the woods. Suddenly, he gets shot in the head and she is either being raped or having consensual sex. The ambiguity is rather disturbing. Is he dead? We don't know for sure. And the situation with the wife is equally unclear.

OMG, I don't care anymore. I'm out!

I do like the weird, like the kind of weird you find in Aimee Bender or Shirley Jackson's works. But this is just too much. It's like "WTF is happening?" with way too many inappropriate N words peppered about. It's really off-putting and makes it hard to continue reading.

My final collection of Eudora Welty stories is from her collected stories. This edition, which was published in the 1960s/1970s, won a plethora of prizes and encompassed four collections.

This particular one is her third, yet the last one I read. It is lengthier than the others, yet contains fewer stories. The stories within this collection function in an interconnected manner. They don't so much tell an overarching story but rather map out the cultural and societal history of a small town. So, you often see a minor character from one story popping up as the lead in the next. Mostly, but not all, they are written in the third person, which adds to the sense of connectedness from an anthropological perspective. It makes me think about other connected series of stories, such as Faulkner's The Unvanquished. That work tells a moving and cohesive story of the Sartoris family, leading up to the present from the Civil War. (It was one of the first books I was both shaking scared and excited to read in a college class because of my fear and admiration of Faulkner.) His other collection, Go Down, Moses, tells disconnected narratives in service of themes and ideas about family.

Perhaps this is more like a Winesburg, Ohio situation, where the whole is quite good, but none of the individual pieces stand out particularly.

This particular experience felt really leaden to me. I had a truly terrible time trying to sustain my interest throughout.

The character development and the texture of the story were indeed great. There was a certain charm and depth to the characters that was quite remarkable.

However, it felt as if the focus was overly concentrated on those aspects to the detriment of movement and story progression. The narrative seemed to lack a sense of forward momentum, and the story itself didn't really grip me in the way that I had hoped.

In the end, it just did not appeal to me on a fundamental level. I found myself disengaged and struggling to find the motivation to continue. It was a disappointment considering the initial promise that the character and texture had shown.

Perhaps with a better balance between character, texture, movement, and story, it could have been a more engaging and enjoyable experience for me. But as it stands, it simply didn't hit the mark.

Decided to read this book after reading an interview with Anne Tyler in The Times on 5 April 2020. The journalist, Sarah Crompton, said that Tyler's novels are full of life and perfect to read in isolation. Tyler's choice would be "The Golden Apples" by Eudora Welty. I don't quite share the same enthusiasm as Tyler for this book.

The book is a collection of seven short stories set in a fictional town in Mississippi. The characters provide the thread throughout. Some stories are great, with wonderful descriptions, while others are a bit confusing.

For example, "Shower of Gold" tells the story of Snowdie MacLain, who is married to King. King has a history of running away, but he returns on Halloween. However, he leaves again after being confronted by his twin boys. "June Recital" is about Loch Morrison, who has malaria and watches a dilapidated house opposite his bedroom. A sailor and a woman rendezvous in the house, which was once rented out by Snowdie. The story ends with the house being burned down by a vengeful piano teacher.

Overall, the book is a bit of a mixed bag. Some stories are engaging and well-written, while others feel a bit disjointed. However, it does offer a unique glimpse into the lives of the people in this fictional town.

This was an okay collection.

For me, it's hovering between two and three stars.

I found some of the stories interesting, while others left me a bit indifferent.

However, I'm going to give Welty another try.

I've had her recommended to me so much because of my love for Carson McCullers.

It seems that many people believe there are similarities between the two authors, and I'm curious to explore that further.

So, I'm not giving up on her just yet.

I'm hopeful that with another book, I'll be able to fully appreciate her writing style and the depth of her stories.

Maybe the next collection will be the one that truly captivates me and earns a higher rating.

Only time will tell.

This is a chapter about the people in a town in MS. Boring.

The town may have its own unique charm and character, despite its name. The people who live there could be a diverse group, each with their own stories and experiences.

Some might have lived in the town their entire lives, while others may have moved there more recently. They could be involved in various occupations, from farming to working in local businesses.

The community in the town might come together for events and activities, creating a sense of belonging and unity. Neighbors could support each other through good times and bad.

Even though the town may seem quiet and unassuming on the surface, there is likely a rich tapestry of life and relationships among its people.

Exploring the lives of these individuals could reveal hidden talents, dreams, and struggles that make up the fabric of the town.

Overall, the people in this town in MS. Boring have their own significance and contribute to the unique identity of the place.

The Golden Apples by Eudora Welty is a unique work that defies easy categorization. It is neither a traditional collection of short stories nor a novel in the strictest sense. Instead, it consists of a series of 7 stories that are intricately connected through various elements such as character and plot.

Set in the small rural town of Morgana, Mississippi, these stories offer a vivid and detailed portrayal of the people and their lives in the rural south. Welty's remarkable talent for describing both people and their surroundings is on full display throughout the collection.

Readers are transported to a world where the daily struggles, joys, and relationships of the townspeople unfold. The characters are richly drawn, with their own hopes, dreams, and flaws. The settings are described with such precision that one can almost smell the earth, feel the heat, and hear the sounds of the rural community.

The Golden Apples is a literary masterpiece that offers a profound and moving exploration of the human condition in a specific time and place. It is a work that will stay with readers long after they have turned the final page.

Welty has truly outdone herself in capturing childhood and the Old South. Her gentle and moving collection of interlocked short stories is a masterpiece. It vividly depicts life in Morgana, Mississippi, during the early years of the twentieth century. After reading just a few of these stories, you quickly realize that you have come to know and care deeply about these families. I, who am not usually a fan of short stories, was completely drawn in by this collection. In fact, because these stories in essence form a larger whole, I found myself reluctant to leave this fictional world. And let's not forget to talk about Welty's style. She is surely one of the most gorgeous prose writers of the century. Her writing is lyrical and original, allowing me to envision everything as if it were playing out on a movie screen. It's truly a pity that I have now read all of her work, because I never want this wonderful literary experience to end!

3.5 stars

I have delved into Welty's works before, attempting to fathom her reasoning and writing style. In this compilation of seven short stories, the task was considerably easier. Each of the seven tales - or parables, if you will - was interconnected either by a character, a place, or a circumstance. Southern life is vividly delineated in this book, as all the stories are set in Morgana, Mississippi.

Welty's writing is circular and ingenious, at times rather strange, yet enlightening, with a beautiful depth that is captivating. However, it can also be spiraling and confusing. Her portrayal of people is astonishing - richly layered, fully fleshed out, and defiantly real. She immerses you right in the midst of her slow-paced southern towns and their enigmatic inhabitants.

Although I haven't completely convinced myself that I am a devotee of Eudora Welty, I will assert that this book is one that perhaps shouldn't be overlooked. It offers a unique glimpse into a world that is both familiar and strange, filled with characters and stories that linger in the mind long after the final page is turned.

University purposes can take on various forms, as exemplified by “The Wanderers” and “June recital.”

“The Wanderers” might represent the pursuit of knowledge and self-discovery through exploration and adventure. It could symbolize the university's goal of encouraging students to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new experiences, and expand their horizons.

On the other hand, “June recital” might signify the celebration of creativity and talent. It could be a platform for students to showcase their artistic achievements, whether it be in music, dance, or other performing arts.

Together, these two concepts highlight the diverse range of purposes that a university can serve. It not only provides a space for academic learning but also nurtures the whole person, fostering creativity, curiosity, and a sense of community.

By engaging in activities like “The Wanderers” and “June recital,” students can develop skills that will serve them well in their future careers and lives. They can learn to collaborate with others, think critically, and express themselves effectively.

In conclusion, the purposes of a university are multifaceted and go beyond the traditional academic curriculum. It is a place where students can explore their interests, discover their passions, and grow into well-rounded individuals.