I truly enjoyed this particular Eudora Welty novel to a greater extent than some of her other works. The unique blend of comedic tragedy within the story was simply captivating. It managed to produce a plethora of outrageously funny lines that had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions. The overall mood of the story was lighthearted and filled with a sense of playfulness, which made it an absolute joy to read.

Welty's masterful writing style shone through, as she effortlessly balanced the comical and tragic elements, creating a narrative that was both entertaining and thought-provoking. The characters were well-developed and their interactions added to the charm and humor of the story. I found myself completely immersed in the world that Welty had created, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

This novel is a testament to Welty's talent as a writer and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good read that combines laughter and heart. It is a work that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

An interesting little book by Eudora Welty.

The story is about Uncle Daniel, whom Grandpa had committed to the local asylum for a period. He had a penchant for giving things away. Later, he was released, but his inclination to give remained. So, Grandpa presented the Beulah Hotel to Uncle Daniel's niece, the narrator, Edna Earl Ponder.

Somehow, Uncle Daniel managed to find several women to marry him, one after another. Teacup was the first, but that didn't last. Then came Bonnie Dee Peacock, and that didn't work out either. She kicked him out, and he allegedly made a rash promise to kill her if she didn't take him back. One day, she was found dead, and the Peacocks thought they should take Uncle Daniel to court.

The book is quite humorous and filled with eccentric Southerners.

This might have been my first Welty. I listened to it, and the reader, Sally Darling?, was excellent.

Anyway, the other day I noticed that this and another book were due to expire on October 30. So, I thought I'd better start listening. I guess the other book is next.

I absolutely loved this! It was so much fun to read.

I found myself having to slow down and truly take in the beautiful prose. Welty's talent is truly amazing in her ability to give voice to the quintessential Southern female.

The way she writes makes her characters sound just like some of my old family members from two generations back.

If you have the time to sit down, relax, and really immerse yourself in the story, "Ponder Heart" is definitely worth its weight in gold.

It's a book that will transport you to a different time and place, filled with rich characters and a captivating storyline.

Whether you're a fan of Southern literature or just looking for a great read, I highly recommend giving this book a chance.

You won't be disappointed!

Most people who are familiar with Eudora Welty know her primarily as a short story writer. Her novels, such as “Losing Battles” (1970) and “The Optimist’s Daughter” (1972), which were written well after she had already achieved wide acclaim for her writing, often receive less critical attention. At approximately 150 pages, “The Ponder Heart” is a novella that occupies the middle ground between a short story and a novel.

The narrator, Edna Earle Ponder, the owner and purveyor of the local hotel in her Southern town, relates the story of her Uncle Daniel. He is a man who is deeply kind, wealthy, and overly generous. Believing that his eccentricity stems from loneliness, Daniel’s father (Edna’s grandfather) introduces him to a woman. However, their marriage quickly fails. He then meets another woman, Bonnie Dee, who is mainly interested in exploiting Daniel’s unpredictable generosity. After she mysteriously vanishes, Daniel is accused of her murder, which leads to a trial scene. Most of the small town gathers to witness the spectacle, and eventually, Daniel is acquitted. Afterward, he carelessly distributes the money in his pockets to the people in the courthouse.

As you can likely gather from the summary above, this is not a work you read for the actions that occur. Many of them seem to be quixotic non sequiturs that test the reader’s willing suspension of disbelief. What is special here, of course, is the sustained mode in which Welty tells her story. Unlike her rough contemporary Flannery O’Connor, Welty does not delight in the grotesqueness of her characters. At least not in this work. While some aspects of Daniel’s personality stretch the imagination, most of the other characters exhibit more “ordinary” behavior. In fact, Welty suggests that Daniel’s extreme generosity might be influenced by neurodivergence, perhaps a high-functioning form of autism. Of course, this terminology did not exist during the time Welty was writing, but she does provide occasional hints that he may differ from those around him, such as his tendency to be solitary and not talk much.

Welty’s narration adopts a register that most southerners will recognize – the easy, comforting, and expansive style of a griot who has all the time in the world to sit and talk at length, meandering as the story takes them. This is why her short stories may have endured more than her novels. While novels demand extended periods of attention, short stories, like “The Ponder Heart,” which can be read in an hour (or an afternoon), are much more suited to Welty’s style. Her writing is more like being told a story than reading a story, which I believe accounts for much of her lasting popularity.

I truly have a great passion for reading Eudora Welty, and "Ponder Heart" showcases her at an almost ridiculously excellent level.

The characters in this book seem to be able to exist only in that particular southern town. Even the Peacock family is strange in a completely distinct manner and is obviously from elsewhere.

This is a book that should be read directly, not just learned about second-hand. How else could one understand Uncle Daniel's trial, Edna Earle and the Beulah Hotel, the judge who might not be a lawyer, his visit to the asylum and the reasons behind it, and so much more?

Edna Earle is a Ponder (albeit not THE Ponder) and she makes a wonderful narrator. This is especially because she knows everything and everyone in the area, including all the secrets and gossip.

You should definitely pick up a copy of this short read and relish its sly yet often outrageously humorous nature, as well as the sad/happy citizens of Clay, Mississippi.

It's a literary gem that offers a unique and captivating experience.

I get a tad nervous when I pick up a fiction book from the 1950s by a Southern writer on life down yonder.

This is because inevitably, if the author is true to the times, it will reflect the racial attitudes and racist behavior of white folk toward their darker neighbors. And it is so in this book, as expected.

If you are sensitive about hearing the "n" word and details of what it was actually like in Mississippi at the time, you might want to steer clear. I think future historians will cite fiction like this in explaining the times, and no doubt younger readers today will think "WTF."

That being said, this is a wonderful little story that pokes fun at the small town South, in a gentle and comic way. Welty was a wonderful writer. In a way, it was music to my ears, the storytelling cadences, and I kept chuckling at her descriptions and commentary.

The characters all are somewhat silly and eccentric, but enjoyable and human at the same time. If you haven't tried her, you must. It's a unique reading experience that offers a glimpse into a bygone era with all its flaws and charm.

You'll be captivated by the vivid portrayal of the setting and the engaging personalities of the characters. It's a book that will make you laugh, think, and perhaps even gain a new perspective on history and human nature.

Debaixo da aparente normalidade desta importante e educada família sulista, escondem-se laivos de loucura absolutamente hilariantes.

At first glance, this prominent and educated Southern family appears to be completely normal. However, beneath the surface, there are hidden pockets of absolute madness that are truly hilarious.

A leitura deste livro, está recheada de um humor subtil, divertidíssimo.

The reading of this book is filled with a subtle and extremely entertaining humor. As you turn the pages, you'll find yourself constantly amused by the unexpected twists and turns in the story. The author has a unique way of presenting the characters and their antics, making it impossible not to laugh out loud.

This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a lighthearted story. It will transport you to a world of Southern charm and eccentricity, where anything can happen and nothing is as it seems. So, sit back, relax, and prepare to be entertained by this hilarious and engaging read.

In The Ponder Heart (1953), we are introduced to the charming narrator, Edna Earle Ponder. She is the proprietress of the little-frequented Beulah Hotel in Clay, Mississippi. One of her guests, who is there due to a car breakdown, becomes the recipient of her captivating tales. Edna Earle regales the guest with the story of her wealthy Uncle Daniel, a sweet and simple man, albeit rather “slow.” The Ponders went to great lengths to prevent him from giving away all his money through two marriages, periodic commitments to “the asylum,” and a celebrated murder trial. The story itself is filled with amusement, but its true allure lies in the distinctive voice of Edna Earle herself. She is an intelligent, sharp-tongued, and kind-hearted observer of the local scene. Miss Edna is a remarkable creation, a unique voice in American fiction that stands alongside the likes of Huckleberry Finn and Holden Caulfield.

Here are three of Edna Earle Ponder’s memorable observations:

Miss Teacake Magee lived here all her life. She sings in the choir of the Baptist Church every blessed Sunday; couldn’t get her out. And sings louder than all the rest put together, so loud it would make you lose your place…—her solo always came during collection, to cover up people rattling change and dropping money on the floor…


The Peacocks are the kind of people keep the mirror outside on the front porch, and go out and pick railroad lilies to bring inside the house, and wave at trains till the day they die. The most they probably hoped for was that somebody’d come find oil in the front yard and fly in the house and tell them about it.


I wish you could have seen Bonnie Dee!...Baby yellow hair, downy—like one of those danelion puff-balls you can blow and tell the time by. And not a brain beneath. Now Uncle Daniel may not have a whole lot of brains, but what’s there is Ponder, and no mistake about it. But poor little old Bonnie Dee! There’s a world of difference...She was little and she was dainty...But I could tell by her little coon eyes, she was shallow as they come.

Quick read, interesting story. Welty's signature way with words is truly present here. It takes a while to clearly see where this train of thought is headed, but the ride along the narrative is humorous. The descriptions of people are at times so vivid that it feels like one is watching a movie unfold right before their eyes. However, I cringed at the protagonist's view of "Negroes." It's just a stark reminder, I guess, of why my grandparents left that part of the world. This is really a well-written book, with great prose and engaging language. But when it comes to the plot, it's not the most compelling one. There are moments that keep you interested, but overall, it doesn't have that edge-of-your-seat excitement that some other novels possess.

**Edna Earle Ponder**

Eudora Welty's short novel "The Ponder Heart" is a remarkable work that received the prestigious William D. Howells' Medal for fiction in 1955.

Set in the small town of Clay, Mississippi in the late 1940s, the story is told by Edna Earle Ponder, who runs the Hotel Beulah in the town's decaying downtown.

The Ponder family is the wealthiest in Clay, but only three members remain: Sam, the grandfather; his youngest son, Daniel; and Sam's granddaughter, Edna Earle.

Edna Earle, in her 40s and unmarried, fears dying an old maid.

The family properties include a large old house outside of town called Ponder Hill.

The story centers around Uncle Daniel, who is about the same age as Edna Earle. He is a kind and generous soul but is seen as simple by his family.

Daniel gives away property and cash freely, much to the dismay of his relatives.

He has a short marriage to a widow named Teacake and later meets a young girl named Bonnie Dee Peacock.

Bonnie Dee marries Daniel "for trial" but leaves him after five years.

When she returns, she orders Daniel to leave the house on Ponder Hill.

Shortly after, Edna Mae and Daniel return to the house during a severe lightning storm at Bonnie Dee's invitation.

Tragedy strikes when Bonnie Dee is found dead, and Daniel is charged with murder and put on trial.

Maxwell's comparison of the book to "Huckleberry Finn" is appropriate as there is more depth to the story than meets the eye.

The book is filled with sharp observations of both the external world of Mississippi and the internal ambiguities of the characters' hearts.

As the story progresses, the focus shifts from Uncle Daniel and the town to the talkative Edna Earle herself.

Welty skillfully captures Edna Earle's voice, mannerisms, and character, making her the prototypical unreliable narrator.

The story may seem light and flippant, but it requires careful reading and digging to fully appreciate.

"The Ponder Heart" truly merits the praise it has received and the Howells Medal it was awarded.

Robin Friedman

Once upon a time, there was a wealthy uncle who had a rather amusing habit. He loved to give everything away. This story is told by his ever-curious and busy-body niece. In the South, storytelling was an important part of the culture, and this particular tale provided a vivid picture of the social structures that prevailed in the 1922 era. However, it also delved into universal themes about money and family. The uncle's generosity was both a source of wonder and consternation for those around him. His niece, with her inquisitive nature, was constantly observing and trying to make sense of his actions. Through her eyes, we get a unique perspective on the complex relationships between wealth, family, and the choices we make. This story serves as a reminder that no matter the time or place, the themes of money and family continue to be relevant and thought-provoking.

3 stars

Edna Earle Ponder, the narrator of the story, is truly a force to be reckoned with. Instead of simply allowing the reader to immerse themselves in her storytelling, she takes control and leads them along on her journey. She vividly recounts the life of her Uncle Daniel and his remarkable experiences, all in the context of their Southern upbringing.

I have only read one other story by Eudora Welty, but both have proven to be highly entertaining and informative. Through her works, we gain valuable insights into the lives and times that she portrays. Her sharp intellect and creative prowess make reading her work feel like a captivating journey back in time. It's a welcome mini vacation from the chaos of today and a gentle reminder of a more peaceful era.

Overall, while I may not have given this particular story a full five stars, I still appreciate the unique perspective and engaging narrative that Eudora Welty brings to the table. Her writing is a testament to her talent and her ability to transport readers to another world.