Don't listen to this book!

I found it extremely difficult to understand the narrative at the normal speed. It was so confusing that I had to switch to 1.2 speed.

Surprisingly, when I did that, it became much more beautiful. The story seemed to flow better, and the details became more clear.

However, even at 1.2 speed, it still wasn't quite to my liking. There were still some parts that felt a bit dull or didn't quite grab my attention.

Overall, I would say that this book has its good points, but it's not a must-read for everyone.

I truly had a profound liking for this.

From the very moment I began, I felt as if I was instantly swallowed up by the magnificent landscape, the sweltering heat, and the warmth of the family.

I have an unwavering love for stories that depict families who cherish one another in inevitably intricate and complex manners.

It gave off a certain Jack vibes, albeit in a very distant and perhaps somewhat mysterious way.

The way the story unfolded, it was like a beautiful tapestry being woven, with each thread representing a different aspect of the family's dynamics, the environment they were in, and the emotions that swirled within them.

It was a captivating experience that left me longing for more, eager to explore further into the lives of these characters and understand the depth of their relationships.

Overall, it was a wonderful piece that managed to draw me in and hold my attention throughout.

I can't wait to see what else lies ahead in this story.

The writing was so exquisitely crafted that I could vividly sense the intense heat and oppressive humidity of the delta within her prose.

I adored the fact that it was somewhat meandering. In a way, events simply occurred as they did, without neatly resolving into a traditional ending. There was no real closure in certain aspects of the story, yet that's precisely how life often is - things transpire without a clear beginning, ending, or any understandable explanation.

Moreover, I cherished the fact that I didn't fully comprehend everything or everyone's perspective. It was a truly beautiful story that left a lasting impression on me, making me reflect on the mysteries and uncertainties of life.

Overall, it was a remarkable piece of writing that transported me to a different world and made me appreciate the beauty in the chaos and the unknown.

Robbie sank into her chair and leaned, with her little square nails white on her small brown fingers, against the side of the table. "My sister Rebel is right. You're either born spoiled in the world or you're born not spoiled. And people keep you that way until you die. The people you love keep you the way you are."

The setting is the Yazoo Delta region of Mississippi. Eudora Welty's classic novel, originally penned in 1945, unfolds the tale of a typical Mississippi Delta family in the 1920s. There are an abundance of aunts that the reader can hardly keep count of, golden boys who seem flawless, spoiled Southern Belles, and a 9-year-old girl who has just lost her mother. Additionally, racism lurks beneath the smooth talk of the white plantation dwellers, which can be rather hard to endure at times.

Regarding the plot, Dabney, at 17, is on the verge of marrying Troy, the plantation overseer. He has red hair, is methodical, and clearly beneath her social standing. However, she couldn't care less, and thus the wedding must be arranged. Nearly every female of the extended Fairchild clan has gathered to assist in planning the festivities. And so, the drama and chaos of a large family gathering commence.

In conclusion, while Welty writes beautifully, almost poetically, the story felt sluggish to me. I do value the insight into the time and place, but I couldn't identify with any of the characters. There were simply too many of them, and as a result, I didn't feel like I got to know any of them deeply. In the end, the main character for me is the Delta itself - and what a demanding mistress she was for so many. I give it 3 stars or a rating of "Good". It is recommended to those who wish to learn more about early 20th-century life in Mississippi.

Another favorite quote: "She had once seen Uncle George, without saying a word, clench his fist in the dining room at home - the sweetest man in the Delta. It is because people are mostly layers of violence and tenderness - wrapped like bulbs, she thought soberly; I don't know what makes them onions or hyacinths."

Stuff I learned: A look at Mississippi Delta life

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

A Delightfully Entertaining Book!


This was only the second Eudora Welty book that I have had the pleasure of reading. As I delved into the story of the Fairchild family, I was immediately struck by how much of my own Mississippi heritage I recognized. The author's vivid descriptions of the flora and the majestic trees of my native Mississippi truly tugged at my heartstrings and made me feel a profound sense of homesickness at times. There were certain moments within the book that were so poignant and moving that they brought tears to my eyes. However, I must admit that there were also times when I found the language and behavior used to describe the African American residents to be rather cringe-worthy. But, upon reflection, I do believe that this was an accurate portrayal of the times in which the story took place. It was truly enlightening for me to learn about the ways and times in which my grandparents lived. Thanks to this book, I am now completely hooked on Welty's works and can't wait to explore more of her literary masterpieces.

Nine-year-old Laura embarks on a train journey to the Mississippi plantation of her uncle and aunt, the Fairchilds, for the wedding of their daughter Dabney. It is the year 1923, and the Fairchilds are a highly genteel Southern family.

The story, in essence, lacks a traditional plot. Instead, it delves deeply into the interactions among all of her relatives and the meticulous preparations for the wedding. The author has crafted the book with great finesse, using vivid descriptions and engaging dialogue to bring the characters and the setting to life.

However, despite its literary merits, this particular book is not the kind that I find myself drawn to. I prefer stories with more action and a clear narrative arc that keeps me on the edge of my seat. While the detailed exploration of family dynamics and the wedding preparations is interesting, it doesn't quite satisfy my personal reading preferences.

Nonetheless, I can appreciate the skill and artistry that went into writing this book, and I'm sure there are many readers out there who would thoroughly enjoy it.

This novel is softer than a down cushion,

more cozy than a pile of warm quilts.

I'm not from a large family, so it was truly amusing to contemplate what it would be like to have a good dozen or more of your close family all under one roof.

Envision all the generations, going back to great aunts!

It would be a lively and chaotic household, especially when there are twice that many people by the time of the wedding.

The novel captures a time and place that I could have barely imagined.

It takes the reader on a journey into a world filled with family dynamics, love, and laughter.

The detailed descriptions make it easy to picture the scenes and the characters come to life on the page.

It's a heartwarming and engaging read that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

Whether you're from a large family or not, this novel is sure to touch your heart and make you appreciate the importance of family.

Boy, it took me an incredibly long time to read this book.

I had been eager to read something by Eudora Welty for ages, and that's precisely how long it took me to complete. It was a really, really long time.

I found this to be an extremely difficult read. I constantly had to re-read sections to make sense of what was happening, who each character was, and so on.

I struggled to understand Welty's voice (she had a very distinct way of expressing thoughts that I had to attempt again and again to grasp), but it became quite interesting once I approached it as if listening to someone with a strong and unfamiliar accent.

I enjoyed reading about a part of the country that I'm not familiar with. However, I didn't like the main characters, and I really don't like not liking the main characters.

For some reason, I was expecting the story to be told from Laura's (the little motherless child) perspective. But it wasn't. I didn't like the lifestyle of that era. I found these people shallow and haughty.

I understand that this book was written during a time when racism was openly practiced and "accepted" as the norm. Nevertheless, it hits hard, is sad, and repulsive.

It's insightful and instructive, but repulsive. You know that feeling when you recognize something as valuable but don't understand why, and you give it a try only to find yourself tangled and mired in wanting to get it, understand it, and appreciate it for what it is/has been, yet not quite being able to? It was kind of like that.

I don't think I've ever read Eudora Welty (maybe just a short story or two), but I've always been charmed by her name. It's so quintessentially Southern. And this book, "Delta Wedding", captures every nuance of a large family to perfection.

There's a wedding on the horizon, and the excitement, the planning, and the interactions among the numerous family members (too many to recall) are all vividly portrayed on the pages. Their odd mannerisms and declarations add to the rich tapestry of this story. It's truly a portrait of a bygone South that now exists only in whispers.

Perhaps it was the language that drew me in, or the sense of being, like the heroine Laura, an expatriate from a southern family. I found myself transported to my grandmother's porch, sitting on the swing and listening to the hustle and bustle in the house and yard. Family was coming. In the book, not much seems to happen at first, and then more of the same. But eventually, something is lost, and something else is found. A few subtle acts of memory and mis-memory occur. In the last five pages, I felt a profound sadness, as if something very small yet vast had been reset.

Recently, when I scanned the Internet, I discovered that I wasn't alone in my love for Welty's first novel. In the years following her death (and probably for years before), "Delta Wedding" has become an underground classic. Groups of passionate readers recommend it for reading clubs and sing its praises in online reviews. The book, set in 1923 and published in 1946, was born out of an idea from Welty's editor, who suggested she turn her short stories into a novel. What emerged doesn't read like a traditional novel in the classic sense, but rather as a series of episodes and streams of consciousness that come together to form a passionate diorama. It's as if Virginia Woolf and Faulkner had collaborated on an American pastoral. The text is completely in thrall to its moment, set in a "land that shimmered like the wing of a lighted dragonfly. It seemed strummed as though it were an instrument and someone had touched it." It reminded me of so many things that I've either forgotten or suppressed, yet there they were again, within her story and words.

If I were tested on this book, I would most assuredly fail.

Luckily, I see that I am not the first to call it "a jumbled up mess." Here's the bit that I understood.

The book is about the Fairchilds, a large and lively Southern family living on a plantation called Shellmound in the 1920s. Its cast of characters, which includes all distant relatives, servants, neighbors, ancestors, pets, and so on, is roughly 40+. They are all there for the wedding of Dabney, the sweetheart of the family, and Troy, the overseer.

There's a child named Laura, a nine-year-old girl whose mother has died. She is the first person introduced in the book as she journeys to the wedding. Luckily, she will continue to pop up throughout the book, which means there will be someone familiar.

Eudora Welty must have had some fun coming up with all of the names you'll encounter in this book. However, if you're like me, very few will be memorable.

If I read this 5 or 6 times, I could probably do a better review.

2 stars.

**3.25**

The experience on 3.25 was truly unique. It was as if the little house on the prairie had been transplanted to the deep south and filled with twice the number of family members!

Overall, it wasn't bad at all. However, for my personal taste, it was just a little too slow-paced.

It was a classic Jackson tale that had a remarkable resemblance to my own family. As I read through the pages, it felt as if my family's story had been replicated.

The detailed descriptions and the vivid portrayal of the characters made it easy to imagine the scenes and the interactions within the family.

Despite the slow pace, there were still many charming and heartwarming moments that made it an enjoyable read.

It was a story that captured the essence of family life in a particular time and place, and it left a lasting impression on me.