I grew up down the road from Flannery O'Connor's homeplace. A field trip was a must, and we started reading her stories in eighth grade. They were shocking and unforgettable -- the first stories I ever read without a happy ending. She opened my world up to what literature could be. I've been afraid to watch "Wildcat," but then I remind myself how much I loved John Huston's "Wise Blood." (John Huston scouted a lot of locations around me, but sadly he didn't choose our farm. But he chose several around us, and he'd spend early mornings visiting with my friends' parents in their kitchens while the crew set up, drinking coffee with them as casually as if he were getting ready for a day of plowing alongside them.)
Also, the first story I ever read aloud to my wife was A Good Man Is Hard to Find. It made such an impression on us, we named our first dog June Star. She had a personality to match!
I am a fan of Flannery O'Connor and Shirley Jackson. Their use of beautiful language to create dark and lingering tales reminds me of gatherings around a campfire where the best storyteller wins not by outlandish theatrics, but by captivating the audience from the beginning and holding their attention with hints of something unexpected to come, and when it comes, one cannot turn away because the ending ties it all together.
I have never read O'Connor but will be reading her in the next few weeks as part of a seminar course I am in. We are reading "Everything that Rises Must Converge." I was looking forward to it before and now more excited after your thoughts here.
I grew up down the road from Flannery O'Connor's homeplace. A field trip was a must, and we started reading her stories in eighth grade. They were shocking and unforgettable -- the first stories I ever read without a happy ending. She opened my world up to what literature could be. I've been afraid to watch "Wildcat," but then I remind myself how much I loved John Huston's "Wise Blood." (John Huston scouted a lot of locations around me, but sadly he didn't choose our farm. But he chose several around us, and he'd spend early mornings visiting with my friends' parents in their kitchens while the crew set up, drinking coffee with them as casually as if he were getting ready for a day of plowing alongside them.)
That is so cool !
That's amazing Alan! Is her farm Andalusia open to the public? What a wonderful memory of John Huston preparing to film Wise Blood!
Yes it is. https://www.visitmilledgeville.org/listings/andalusia-farm%3A-home-of-flannery-o%E2%80%99connor/299/
Also, the first story I ever read aloud to my wife was A Good Man Is Hard to Find. It made such an impression on us, we named our first dog June Star. She had a personality to match!
In Canada and the US it’s also on Kanopy, a free streaming service that’s available through your library membership.
One of her stories (you may be able to guess which…) is also the kick-off for “American Fiction”, a great adaptation of Percival Everett’s “Erasure”.
I am crazy about O'Connor - she has influenced my own work more than I even notice. I was wary about Wildcat but wow, it was fantastic.
I am a fan of Flannery O'Connor and Shirley Jackson. Their use of beautiful language to create dark and lingering tales reminds me of gatherings around a campfire where the best storyteller wins not by outlandish theatrics, but by captivating the audience from the beginning and holding their attention with hints of something unexpected to come, and when it comes, one cannot turn away because the ending ties it all together.
Beautifully put, Krista.
Thank you!
So looking forward to discussing the March instalment of Anna Karenina!! So much is happening!!
I have never read O'Connor but will be reading her in the next few weeks as part of a seminar course I am in. We are reading "Everything that Rises Must Converge." I was looking forward to it before and now more excited after your thoughts here.
Fantastic! They're extraordinary . . .