This book presents a truly enjoyable, vivid, and rich portrayal of family life in the South.

It is set in the Mississippi Delta, which becomes almost as much of a character as each member of the Fairchild family.

The story unfolds as the family gets ready for Dabney's wedding.

The author beautifully describes the repeating cycles of the seasons and Dabney's own life.

There is something in the monotony that is both beautiful and rewarding, perhaps appealing to the womanly side within her.

She admits that she has never had much time to contemplate, but still, she knows.

As the quote says, "one moment told you the great things, one moment was enough for you to know the greatest thing."

This book takes the reader on a journey through the joys and challenges of family life in the South, with its unique culture and traditions.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depth and complexity of human relationships and the beauty of the natural world. 3.5 ⭐

I was reminded that I read this years ago.

It seems like a distant memory now, but that particular piece of writing had made an impression on me at that time.

I can still recall some of the key points and the emotions it evoked within me.

It was perhaps a story that touched on the human condition, or an article that presented a unique perspective on a particular topic.

As I think back, I wonder how my understanding and perception of it might have changed over the years.

Maybe I would view it differently now, with the added wisdom and life experiences I have gained.

It makes me curious to revisit that piece of writing and see if it still holds the same significance for me.

I am eager to discover if it can once again transport me to that place in time when I first read it and experience those same feelings all over again.

A large and boisterous family of uncles, aunts, and cousins, the Fairchilds have a powerful adoration for their own kin. They also have the tendency to disagree, tease, and even argue with one another. However, their disagreements are quickly forgotten when they unite to defend the family name against outsiders. Outsiders include those who marry into the family and must prove themselves, especially if they are not from the Delta.

Uncle George, the family favorite, is given more grace than he perhaps deserves. He married Robbie Reed, the storekeeper's daughter, which was considered beneath the status of his Mississippi Delta plantation-owning family. When George impulsively risks himself to protect a family member, Robbie feels that he always prioritizes the Fairchilds' welfare over her own. In a fit of anger, she leaves George and refuses to attend the wedding of Dabney, George's niece. Dabney is also marrying beneath the family by accepting the proposal of Troy Flavin, the plantation's supervisor from the mountains near the Tennessee line. Seventeen-year-old Dabney worries that the family might be unhappy with her choice of a husband who is twice her age and lacks the social status of the Fairchilds. In the days leading up to the wedding, she seeks affirmation from the family for her decision to marry Troy. Amid all this family drama, little Laura McRaven, a younger cousin, has been brought by train nicknamed THE YELLOW DOG to spend time with her extended family. Her mother, a Fairchild by birth, recently passed away. Laura is trying to find her place in this large, outgoing, and loving family while grieving in the way a young child would. She often reminds everyone that "my mother is dead."

Critics of DELTA WEDDING often complain about its lack of a strong plot. Personally, I found it a wonderful collection of incidents and conversations among the members of a large, loving family with all its strengths, weaknesses, and idiosyncrasies. Ms. Welty's work is, in my opinion, descriptively and beautifully written, while also being warm and comforting. Reading this story, I fell in love with the Fairchild family as individuals and as a whole. They reminded me of my own large, extended southern family and how they supported me when my mother passed away at a young age like Laura McRaven.

The novel, a period piece written in 1946 and set in 1923 in the Mississippi Delta, does contain descriptions of discrimination against African Americans who worked on the plantation and served in the Fairchilds' home.

Some stories are better suited for alternative reading methods like audiobooks, and I believe this is one of them. The beautiful language, detailed descriptions, and slow-paced narrative are perfect for being read aloud. I greatly enjoyed the audio version of DELTA WEDDING.

Southern Gothic purple prose gets no better than this.

It is a style that is both captivating and mysterious, filled with vivid imagery and rich language.

The use of dark and brooding themes, along with the presence of strange and often eccentric characters, creates a unique and unforgettable atmosphere.

Southern Gothic literature has a long and storied history, dating back to the 19th century.

Authors such as William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and Carson McCullers are some of the most well-known practitioners of this genre.

Their works are characterized by their exploration of the human condition, the South's complex history and culture, and the power of nature.

Southern Gothic purple prose takes all of these elements and elevates them to a new level, creating a style that is truly one of a kind.

Whether you are a fan of literature or simply looking for something new and different to read, Southern Gothic purple prose is sure to delight and surprise you.