Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A Good Story is Hard to Find

Right now, our book club is reading short stories from Flannery O'Connor, a Catholic, 20th century American author.

The reading is rough, gruesome, grotesque, violent, tragic, and shocking. I've never had a taste for her writing. I know she writes about flawed characters who have an encounter with and are touched by grace. I know her stories are deeply Catholic. I know she writes with shock value to wake up her culture-drugged readers. I know she's hailed as one of the greatest writers of our time. But her stories to me, who love a good fairy tale with a happy ending, are hard to read; not because they challenge my beliefs about what a good story should be, but because they leave ugly and scary images of death, violence, and betrayal in my head.

Not all of her stories, mind you, are brutal. I think this book club is helping me to grow in an appreciation of her writing, but I'm still not a die-hard Flannery fan. We meet again tonight to discuss another of her stories... maybe my literary couth-ness conversion will continue.

Have you ever read Flannery O'Connor? What's your take?

12 comments:

Haus Frau said...

Um...for a few years after moving down here in Deep South country I would get nervous on country roads remembering "A Good Man is Hard to Find."

Unamariah said...

Maybe you can try the Fairytale Novels, by Regina Doman.  The first one, The Shadow of The Bear, I just read yesterday.  They're based on fairy tales, but really, really good.

Lena said...

I had to read Flannery O'Connor in college and that was plenty Flannery for me. I haven't gone near her stories since for the reasons you stated.  I would much rather read a Love Story with a happy ending (hint, hint).

Have a wonderful day.

Masha said...

I hated Flannery O Connor for a long time..even after taking a class on her writing designed to produce in me a love of all things Flannery. I finally read her letters, got a feel for her as a person, and only then came to like her fiction. Still not one of my favorites (and not because I don't love dark fiction), but definitely a friend.

Farmer's City Wife said...

LOL! I hear ya!

Farmer's City Wife said...

Snow White and Rose Red is really good, too (though I haven't read The Shadow of the Bear, but will put it on my list)! Regina Doman's works are quite good :).

Farmer's City Wife said...

hehehe, thanks Lena :). I will actually work on the next part... I'm halfway done with the next installment.

Farmer's City Wife said...

You know, I've heard time and again that her letters really make her come alive. I think that may be necessary reading for me if I'm going to continue grappling with her stories. Thanks for that!

Donna said...

I've never read any of her books.  I have had a similar experience though.  I started reading "Poor Banished Children" by Maria de Fiorella and had to put it down.  It was set in the 17oos if I remember correctly and started out with a fairly descriptive scene of a martyrdom.  Thinking about it now still sends shivers down my spine. 
 
If you like the fairy tale endings you may like Regina Doman.  She is a Catholic author who has written a series of books for teens based on fairy tales, but set in modern times.  They often cover tough subjects, but are well written without any gratuitous details.  My husband and I both loved them. 
 
Other good Catholic authors are Michelle Buckman, John Desjarlais and Mike Angley. 
 
Happy reading!

Becky said...

Oh, I couldn't have put it better myself: "because they leave ugly and scary images of death, violence, and betrayal in my head".  The residual bleak "Ick".  I struggle to find the Catholic in her works...which always has redemption as the End...isn't that a happy ending?  Yet her works never leave me "redeemed";  I have to search for the grace, and sometimes am just left scratching my head.

I am always searching for good fiction...not filled with gratuitous immorality described in sordid detail or filthy language.  I would appreciate a list of good, modern fiction if you could provide one.

Farmer's City Wife said...

I hadn't heard of Michelle Buckman, John Desjarlais or Mike Angley. I'll have to check 'em out. Thanks for the recommendations, Donna!

Farmer's City Wife said...

Well, I'm kind of discovering that upon first reading of almost any of her stories, my initial reaction is "uck, ew, gah! Why on earth would anyone WRITE that?" and then because I'm in this book club I have to read the story again... and then again. What at first was just an awful story starts to unfold into something subtle, beautiful, real, and genius. Again, I'm no great fan of hers (yet), but I'm starting to understand it a bit more.

Because I'm mostly a fan of classical British literature, I'm afraid I'm not a good one to recommend good (clean) modern fiction. Perhaps another kind reader will oblige? Anybody? :) (Although I've had some success with Walker Percy and Evelyn Waugh who are both modern though not contemporary).

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