Think about every fairytale you have ever read, all jumbled up together in a true southern style.

Eudora Welty's tale combines elements of fairytales with southern brand magical realism and just a hint of gothic, making this story a page-turning and enjoyable read.

The memorable characters and these fairytale elements have translated her story well into musical form, which now intrigues me to see.

I read this as part of classics bingo and it happened to be a southern literary trail read in November.

Welty won the Pulitzer for her The Optimist's Daughter, which was more of a lifetime achievement award.

This reminds me how much I enjoy a well-written southern tale and how I should revisit Welty's collected writings in the year to come.

It's fascinating to see how different literary elements can be blended to create such a unique and engaging story.

The combination of fairytale, magical realism, and gothic gives the tale a certain charm and mystery that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

I'm looking forward to experiencing the musical adaptation and seeing how it brings Welty's story to life in a new way.

And I'll definitely be adding more of her works to my reading list in the future.

So, at this moment, I am not going to rate this book.

I read it for school purposes. Due to the tight deadlines I had, I wasn't able to fully engage with the book or enjoy it to the extent that I believe I could have.

Oh God, I really hate having to read for school.

Anyway, I will have to go back and reread this book as I am required to write a paper on it. When I do that, I will definitely write a review and give it a rating.

I hope that the second time around, I will be able to understand and appreciate the book better, without the stress of school deadlines hanging over my head.

Maybe then, I will be able to give a more accurate and meaningful assessment of this book.

A modern fairytale that encompasses all the classic fairytale elements exists. However, as a stand-alone story, it lacks depth. I managed to read it within a couple of hours, and while it was indeed entertaining, there wasn't anything truly substantial about it.

Rosamond, on the other hand, is an extremely interesting character. I found myself longing for more time spent inside her head, delving deeper into her thoughts and emotions. It would have been fascinating to explore her character in greater detail and understand the motives and desires that drive her.

Perhaps if the story had focused more on Rosamond and developed her character further, it could have been a more engaging and fulfilling read. As it stands, it is a light and enjoyable fairytale, but it doesn't quite reach the level of a truly great story.

What an odd little book!

At first glance, it may seem unassuming, but as you begin to flip through its pages, you realize there is something truly unique about it.

The cover is plain, perhaps even a bit worn, but it is what lies within that captures your attention.

The words on the pages seem to dance and play, telling a story that is both strange and captivating.

It's as if the author has created a world all their own, one that you can't help but get lost in.

Each chapter is a new adventure, filled with characters and events that you would never have expected.

You find yourself laughing out loud at some parts and gasping in surprise at others.

This odd little book has a charm all its own, and once you pick it up, you just can't put it down.

Clever, inventive, and yet amoral, this Grimm's tale is set in the American South of the 18th century. It weaves a story that is full of twists and turns, captivating the reader with its unique plot. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that the tale is ultimately empty of feeling or meaning.

The characters, while vividly drawn, lack the depth and complexity that would make them truly engaging. The events that unfold seem to be more for the sake of shock value rather than to convey any profound message.

In comparison to Welty's later fiction, this Grimm's tale falls far short. Welty's works are known for their richly developed characters, nuanced exploration of human nature, and profound insights into the human condition.

Overall, while this Grimm's tale may have its moments of entertainment, it fails to leave a lasting impression or offer any real substance. It serves as a reminder that cleverness and inventiveness alone are not enough to create a truly great work of literature.

Taking plot lines and characters from the best of folktales and southern literature, Eudora Welty crafts an enchanting novel.

I had never delved into any of Welty's works before I picked up this novel during my senior year of high school.

Immediately, I discovered that she has an uncanny ability to capture the strange and often unbelievable qualities that are so characteristic of the south.

Although it may not be her most renowned piece, I firmly believe that this novel serves as an excellent starting point for anyone who desires to embark on the journey of reading one of the queens of southern literature.

Welty's writing style is rich and evocative, transporting the reader into a world filled with unique characters and captivating storylines.

Her vivid descriptions bring the south to life, allowing the reader to experience its charm and idiosyncrasies.

Whether it's the lush landscapes or the complex relationships between the characters, Welty's attention to detail is truly remarkable.

This novel is a testament to her talent as a writer and a must-read for anyone interested in southern literature.

The Robber Bridegroom is Eudora Welty's captivating retelling of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale with the same name.

Welty transports the story to Mississippi along the Natchez Trace prior to the American Revolution, skillfully incorporating folk tale elements and characters specific to that time and place.

This is no ordinary bedtime story for children. It is filled with a plethora of violence and disturbing behavior, including kidnapping, rape, sex, murder, theft, and deceit.

As always, my star rating is a reflection of my personal enjoyment in reading, or the lack thereof, rather than an assessment of Welty's writing prowess or the literary value of the work.

It is important to note that while the story may be dark and unsettling, it offers a unique perspective on the human condition and the harsh realities of life during that era.

Welty's vivid descriptions and engaging narrative draw the reader in, making it a compelling read despite its disturbing content.

Whether you are a fan of fairy tales, historical fiction, or simply enjoy a well-written story, The Robber Bridegroom is sure to leave an impression.

The Robber Bridegroom is an extremely interesting novel. It is filled with numerous unexpected twists and turns that constantly surprise the reader, even when they might seem obvious in hindsight. The story commences as Clement Musgrove arrives at Rodney's Landing after his voyage over the Mississippi River from New Orleans. From that moment on, the book bombards you with a plethora of exciting plot developments, which truly maintain the fun and interest level of the narrative.

This book is good, yet it isn't my absolute favorite. I probably wouldn't pick up a book of this nature again as it lacks a certain modern appeal. The characters in the story are strange yet captivating, always managing to keep me entertained. The book has a distinct fairy tale-like quality to it. There is also good humor present, which helps prevent the story from stagnating in one place for too long. It is evident that this book is crafted for a more mature reader, perhaps of high school age and above.

The Robber Bridegroom is indeed a very enjoyable and entertaining book. The characters within the story are highly interesting. While I did like this book, it didn't quite reach the status of being my favorite. I simply felt that it wasn't the type of book that truly appealed to me. I have a penchant for books with drama, and although this book had an abundance of it, it wasn't necessarily drama that I could easily relate to. The author has done an excellent job of telling the story, as I felt that she provided almost every minute detail as I delved into the narrative. I felt as though I knew nearly everything about the characters and the story itself.

I would likely suggest this book to others, although probably not to my friends or those of my age. Instead, perhaps someone older might find it more engaging. I say this because while it can be good and interesting for people my age, I believe adults would be more intrigued by it. I think this would make a great book to teach in school. It contains many elements that can be uncovered and thought about deeply. A teacher could design numerous assignments based on different aspects of the story. Moreover, the book would likely appeal to a wide range of people, regardless of their personalities. There are numerous opportunities within the book to make the reader think and predict what might occur as they progress further in the reading.

The plot of The Robber Bridegroom is truly excellent, and the author, Eudora Welty, truly knows how to write. It comes as no surprise that many people have thoroughly enjoyed this book. As I previously mentioned, this book wasn't my all-time favorite, but it was still very good. I feel that this book is quite eye-opening, making you reflect on the world around you and realize that you can never truly anticipate what will happen in the future.

Questions:
1. The text doesn't provide information on how many copies of The Robber Bridegroom were sold overall.

2. The text doesn't mention what Clement Musgrove thought when he saw all of the robbers upon first arriving at Rodney's Landing.

3. The text doesn't state what specific story The Robber Bridegroom reminds the reader of.

I first heard of this in a criterion supplementary vid for Thelma & Louise (1991). The scriptwriter discussed a few of her influences when first throwing around ideas: Aretha Franklin ballads, 40s noir romances, and this. This novella is a (similarly) referential fairy-tale. Welty borrows Psyche’s candle held aloft over Cupid in repose and the charm from the goose-girl’s mother. Not to mention a few Mississippi figures, such as the riverboat pilot Mike Fink and the killer Little Harp. It’s essentially Grimm’s Robber Bridegroom transposed to a fantastical deep south with truly lovely writing. An arbitrary line: Clement came in, and the first thing he said was, “hello, wife, where is my little daughter gone?” for she had not run out to meet him, and that was as if the jessamines had not bloomed that year. It is a perfect read as the summer heat finally passes. The story unfolds in a magical and captivating way, drawing the reader into a world of mystery and romance. The use of references and the beautiful writing make it a truly enjoyable and engaging novella.

It is extremely difficult to root for a love story when the hero commits rape on the heroine near the beginning. Such an act is not only morally reprehensible but also shatters the very foundation of what could potentially be a beautiful and healthy relationship.

Rape is a violent and traumatic event that can have long-lasting and profound impacts on the victim. In a love story, we typically look for elements of respect, consent, and mutual understanding. When the story begins with such a heinous act, it becomes almost impossible to overlook or forgive.

How can we expect to invest our emotions and hopes in a relationship that starts off with such a blatant violation of the heroine's rights and dignity? It challenges our sense of justice and makes it difficult to see any redeeming qualities in the hero.

Love stories should inspire and uplift us, not leave us feeling disgusted and appalled. A love story that involves rape is not one that we can or should support.

Challenge: Novellas in November

This sixth novella is the very first one that I have delved into by this particular author. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure what to make of it. However, I'm still glad that I took the time to read it, if only for the sake of the experience.

It was the selected read by the Cherry Cola Book Club in the third installment of the series, "The Wedding Circle". It very much presents itself as a 'grim' fairy tale, harking back to a time before its publication in 1942.

One aspect that really stands out in this edition are the woodcut illustrations. They add a unique charm and visual element to the story, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Despite my initial confusion about the novella, I found myself gradually drawn into its world. The author's writing style is distinct, and although it took me some time to get used to, it ultimately added to the atmosphere and tone of the piece.

Overall, while I may not have fully understood every aspect of this novella, I appreciate the opportunity to have read it and explore a different type of literature.

I really enjoyed this book!

It's sort of like a Grimms' fairytale, but it's set in Kentucky, which is a very unusual and interesting setting.

The story is full of fun and at times, it's also quite beautiful.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging, keeping me hooked from start to finish.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fairytales or is looking for something a little different to read.

It's a great escape from reality and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or evening.

I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable read and I'm glad I took the time to pick it up.