Flannery has been my favorite author for years.

And only Eudora Welty comes close to matching her aesthetic.

These stories are not about people for whom one feels sympathy. Instead, they are about losers, creeps, the tragic and the misunderstood.

The famous works surely deserve their fame, but the real power lies within stories like "The Whistle" and "A Memory".

Dialogue makes up the majority of the action, yet it is the descriptions of a slowly changing southern atmosphere that gives real weight to the collection.

This is one of the best works of southern short fiction that you can read.

It's still resonant, capable of evoking strong emotions and making readers think deeply about the human condition and the unique charm and challenges of the southern region.

Flannery's writing style is distinct, with her vivid characterizations and the way she weaves together the elements of the story to create a powerful and engaging narrative.

Her works have stood the test of time and continue to be relevant and influential in the world of literature.

This book promised me an unclouded view of the Southern states of America. Moreover, Eudora Welty, although practically unknown to us, is one of the best-known voices of the South.

Unfortunately, this title was not for me after all. Whether it is due to my inability to appreciate short stories or whether Welty simply does not appeal to me in principle... I cannot say. But in any case, I now know that these stories are not for me.

On the one hand, I often found the texts to be uninteresting. They could have taken place anywhere, and no real atmosphere was transmitted to me. In addition, they often started promisingly, only to end rather sluggishly and often in an unpleasant and strange way.

I'm sorry if I am unable to (comprehend) the significance of Welty's short stories, but not a single story could grip me, make me curious and/or keep me engaged. If I had not planned to read this book for some challenges, I would have given up on it...

Insanely, startlingly amazing.

These words truly capture the essence of something that is beyond ordinary. It's that moment when you witness or experience something that leaves you completely in awe.

It could be a breathtaking natural景观, like a majestic mountain range or a绚丽多彩 sunset. Or perhaps it's a remarkable performance by an artist, a singer hitting those high notes with perfect precision, or a dancer moving with such grace and fluidity that it seems almost magical.

Sometimes, it's the little things in life that can be insanely, startlingly amazing. A kind gesture from a stranger, a beautiful flower blooming in the midst of a concrete jungle, or a moment of pure joy shared with a loved one.

Whatever it is, when you encounter something that is insanely, startlingly amazing, it has the power to change your perspective, to make you appreciate the beauty and wonder that exists in the world around us.

The stories in this volume presented a rather mixed bag for me.

On one hand, tales such as "Lily Daw and the Three Ladies", "Petrified Man", and "Why I Live at the P.O." were truly engaging. They managed to capture the essence of the poor in the South with a distinct and powerful voice. The simplicity and directness of these stories made them all the more impactful, allowing the reader to easily connect with the characters and their plights.

However, other stories like "The Key", "Old Mr. Marblehall", and "Flowers for Marjorie" failed to have the same effect. As I delved deeper into the book, the seemingly endless parade of freaks, geeks (quite literally), and mentally challenged individuals began to wear on my nerves.

Moreover, there were undercurrents of violence, death, and despair that ran throughout the collection. While I initially found this aspect quite compelling, drawing me further into the stories, by the end it had lost some of its charm. The constant presence of these themes started to feel a bit overwhelming, and I found myself longing for a bit more variety and lightness.

Overall, this volume of stories had its highs and lows, leaving me with a somewhat ambivalent feeling.

This collection contains some of my absolute favorite Welty stories. The characters she creates are so vivid and come to life on the page. It's truly remarkable how she is able to bring them to such vivid detail. Each story is like a little world of its own, filled with unique characters and their interesting lives. I find myself completely engrossed whenever I pick up one of her books. I could easily spend an entire day reading her stories, getting lost in the wonderful worlds she has crafted. Her writing is so engaging and captivating that it's hard to put the book down. Whether it's the charming small-town settings or the complex emotions of the characters, there is always something to draw me in and keep me reading.

Wonderful way with words but mostly pointless stories

By Charles van Buren on February 11, 2018

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Just like many of my fellow residents in the Jackson, Mississippi area, I got used to seeing Miss Welty around town from time to time, especially at the English Village Jitney Jungle grocery. Despite this and the general acknowledgment that she is one of the great authors, I never read much of her work. Early on, I developed a suspicion towards anything that literature teachers and professors told me I should read, and especially things they said I had to read. In my later years, I went back and read some of that material and enjoyed some of it. However, I did not enjoy this collection of stories. Miss Welty definitely had a remarkable way with words. But I demand more from a story than just the artistry of the language and the creation of characters. The fact is, most of these stories left me bored. I found them to be lacking in plot and purpose. I simply cannot understand those who claim that I should reflect on their meaning. I firmly belong to the "if you have something to say, say it" school of communication.

I picked up this book because years ago I had thoroughly enjoyed "Delta Wedding". I found it to be sweetly poetic, offering a delicate and enchanting glimpse into the drowsy-hot Mississippi summer of a rather motley family. The tone was absolutely perfect for a little girl who was observing the bustling activities of her elders all around her. In that novel, the plot was secondary to the vivid evocation of southern life, and yet, it worked wonders for the overall narrative.

Unfortunately, when it came to Eudora Welty's short stories, they held none of that same charm for me. The tone that had been so perfectly suited for a little girl running around underfoot seemed rather confused when it was used as the voice of an omniscient narrator. Each individual sentence, taken on its own, was still quite charming. However, when considered as a whole, they failed to construct a truly compelling story. At the end of each story, I was left with the feeling that I had caught a fleeting glimpse of the shimmering outline of something that had the potential to be beautiful - but that was all. The quirky characters never really developed into anything more than mere dolls in each panorama that Welty had painstakingly arranged.

Most of the stories in this collection are truly remarkable. They have the power to transport the readers to different worlds, evoke a wide range of emotions, and make them think deeply.

However, there are a few stories that I found inaccessible or not engaging. Maybe it was because the writing style was too complex or the subject matter was not of my interest.

Despite these few exceptions, the overall collection is still a great read. It offers a diverse selection of stories that will appeal to a wide audience.

Whether you are a fan of mystery, romance, or adventure, there is something for everyone in this collection.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read and explore new worlds through the pages of a book.

Overall, I have to say that my experience with the stories was rather mixed. While I will admit that there was a certain smoothness to them, they were really just average. I found it difficult to clearly see or discern any distinct plots within the narratives. In fact, I couldn't become deeply imbedded in the stories at all. It was as if they were just skimming the surface, not really delving into the depth and complexity that would have made them truly engaging. However, I did think that the author did a quite good job of connoting her Mississippi locale and the period that was being depicted. The descriptions of the setting and the time period added a certain authenticity and charm to the stories, even if the plots themselves left something to be desired.

I shall have to read these flowing-of-the-words-and-sights short stories again.

They are truly a remarkable depiction of that era in our history.

The way the author has crafted the prose is simply beautiful.

Each word seems to flow effortlessly, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

It is as if one can step right into the scenes and experience the events firsthand.

The stories not only provide a glimpse into the past but also offer valuable insights into the people and their lives during that time.

They are a testament to the power of literature to preserve and bring to life the memories and emotions of a bygone era.

Reading these short stories is not just an enjoyable experience but also a journey of discovery and learning.

I look forward to delving deeper into them and uncovering the hidden gems within.

Ehhh. I read this because on the show “Gilmore Girls” Rory was reading a Eudora Welty collection.

At first, I was quite intrigued and thought I would be able to enjoy it as much as Rory seemed to. However, as I delved into the pages, I just couldn't get into it.

I'm sorry to say that it didn't capture my interest. Maybe it was just over my head. The writing style and the themes might have been a bit too complex for me to fully understand and appreciate.

Despite my initial excitement, I found myself struggling to connect with the stories. I wonder if I would have had a different experience if I had read it at a different time or with a different mindset.

Nevertheless, I'm still glad I gave it a try, as it's always interesting to explore new authors and works. Maybe in the future, I'll give Eudora Welty another chance and see if I can discover the beauty and depth that others seem to find in her writing.

I'm truly disappointed.

I decided to read this particular work simply because Ann Patchett recommended it in These Precious Days. However, it didn't meet my expectations at all.

The experience of reading it was rather lackluster for me.

Nevertheless, I managed to persevere and eventually got through it.

The saving grace was that some of the characters were quite interesting, which held my attention to a certain extent.

Moreover, the writing itself was of a good standard.

The author's use of language and ability to create vivid descriptions were commendable.

Despite these positive aspects, overall, it still didn't have the impact on me that I had hoped for based on the recommendation.

I guess everyone's taste in literature is different, and this just wasn't the right fit for me.

Perhaps others will find more enjoyment and value in it than I did.