Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
Memoirs of crazy childhoods are best delivered with a minimum of self-pity, and Mayes understands this. Mayes was "blessed" with a wonderfully dysfunctional family (what all writers wish for) and a childhood in the south (what many writers also wish for). The language Mayes, a poet, uses to evoke her childhood in Mississippi, during the 30s, 40s, and 50s is nothing short of astonishing. Caveat: I listened to this on book on CD, which is read by the author. Her southern lilt certainly helps set the mood. One of the most poignant parts comes towards the end (small spoiler alert) after her mother dies. Mayes' tribute to her mother, whom some readers will have wished dead many chapters earlier, makes us like, not only "Frankie" better, but Mayes herself. Forgiveness and love are two powerful emotions and ones, Mayes reminds us without actually saying so, we could all benefit from exercising. OK, so the thing is this - I LOVE Southern memoirs. But there's something about the writing style of this book that put me off. (I've read at least one other of Mayes' books, too, and I don't recall it being like this.) It's almost as though her memories take over and she floats off on a cloud of an unfinished sentence. Wispy. Almost random.But other than that, I'm very glad I read it all the way through to the end and would definitely recommend it for those who enjoy her work.
What do You think about Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir (2014)?
It jumped around a bit much and left out chunks, but was fascinating.
—dalys
Could not get 'connected'. Maybe I'll try again another time.
—Jasmin
