“Irony is a secret pleasure.” — Hal Crowther, “Dealer’s Choice”
A Painted House by John Grisham, the finale. Essays by Frank Beacham and Marianne Gingher. Fiction Jean Ross Justice. Poetry by Claude Wilkinson and Ron Rash.
Other contributors include John T. Edge, Edward Larson, John Shelton Reed, Lauren Winner, Roy Blount Jr., Hal Crowther, and more.
A Painted House
By John Grisham
As the floodwaters rise around the Chandlers’ farm, Luke finally tells his secrets—and learns that his life is about to change irrevocably. Conclusion.
Charlie’s Place
By Frank Beacham
The dangers of interracial dancing in the 1950s South Carolina.
Buried Money
By Jean Ross Justice
A twice-wed woman discovers the treasure hidden in her past.
My Heroes Have Always Been Grill Cooks
By John T. Edge
The fascination of tough philosophers in aprons.
Horses and Boys
By Marianne Gingher
A girlhood spent in the saddle.
Monkey Business
By Edward Larson
The Scopes Trial Festival re-creates the carnival-like atmosphere of the trial of the century.
The Man from New Orleans
By John Shelton Reed
New biographies of an artist who worked magic in his silver designs.
The Patriot
By Bruce Allen
The historical novels of James Boyd are worthy books in a maligned genre.
Who Can Find a Virtuous Woman
By Lauren Winner
The lost world of Southern Lady magazine.
The Myth of the Great Bear Hunt
By Douglas Brinkley
What really happened during Theodore Roosevelt’s legendary weekend in Mississippi.
Georgia on Her Mind
By Jewell Parker Rhodes
A grandmother in love with her memories of the South.
World Gone Wrong
By Tom Piazza
Frank Hutchison’s blues speak to the ages.
Dealer’s Choice
By Hal Crowther
Gone Off Up North
By Roy Blount Jr.
The Enduring Night
By Claude Wilkinson
Pocketknives
By Ron Rash
Cover photo by Marry Noble Ours. Courtesy of Hemphill Fine Arts