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Ava's Man

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In "Ava's Man," author Rick Bragg delves into the life of his maternal grandfather, Charlie Bundrum, a man he never had the chance to meet. Through a collection of family stories and anecdotes, Bragg paints a vivid picture of Charlie's life as a beloved Appalachian man who worked as a carpenter, bootleg whisky maker, and fisherman during the Great Depression. The book captures the essence of a bygone era in the American South, portraying the hardships and resilience of a family living through challenging times.

Bragg's writing style in "Ava's Man" is described as beautifully touching, lyrical, and evocative. He weaves a compelling narrative that transports readers to the rural South, making them feel as though they are experiencing the daily struggles and triumphs alongside Charlie and his family. Through Bragg's storytelling, Charlie emerges as a larger-than-life figure, leaving a lasting impact on future generations through the pages of this book.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is a blend of lyrical prose and authentic dialect, creating a vivid and emotional portrayal of the Southern experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on the life of Charlie Bundrum, sharing anecdotes about his character, family dynamics, and the humor and hardship of his existence.

Setting:

The setting immerses readers in the rural South during the Great Depression, evoking its culture and challenges.

Pacing:

The pacing effectively balances humor with emotional reflection, keeping readers engaged throughout the narrative.
Ava met him at a box-lunch auction outside. Gadsden, Alabama, when she was barely fifteen, when a skinny boy in freshly washed overalls stepped from the crowd of bidders, pointed to her and said, “I g...

Notes:

Rick Bragg's grandfather, Charlie Bundrum, was a legend in his family despite Bragg never having met him.
Charlie Bundrum was a mix of a hard-working provider, a loving father, a bootlegger, and a man with a temper.
He was known for his humorous and larger-than-life stories, especially when drinking.
The dialect Bragg uses in his writing reflects the unique language of the Appalachian foothills, blending formal English with mountain dialect.
Charlie Bundrum's family had a deep love for him, often becoming emotional when recalling his memory.
Bragg highlights the changing social landscape of the South, contrasting Charlie's time with the new, harsher realities.
The book is filled with both funny and heartwarming anecdotes about Charlie's life and family.
Charlie's wife, Ava, was described as tough and ensuring her children's needs were met before her own.
Bragg portrays Charlie Bundrum as a man who embodied the spirit and struggles of the Great Depression South.
Readers feel Bragg's admiration for his grandfather through a richly woven narrative that evokes the setting and characters of the time.

From The Publisher:

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • With the same emotional generosity and effortlessly compelling storytelling that made All Over But the Shoutin’ a beloved bestseller, Rick Bragg continues his personal history of the Deep South.

This time he’s writing about his grandfather Charlie Bundrum, a man who died before Bragg was born but left an indelible imprint on the people who loved him. Drawing on their memories, Bragg reconstructs the life of an unlettered roofer who kept food on his family’s table through the worst of the Great Depression; a moonshiner who drank exactly one pint for every gallon he sold; an unregenerate brawler, who could sit for hours with a baby in the crook of his arm.

In telling Charlie’s story, Bragg conjures up the backwoods hamlets of Georgia and Alabama in the years when the roads were still dirt and real men never cussed in front of ladies. A masterly family chronicle and a human portrait so vivid you can smell the cornbread and whiskey, Ava’s Man is unforgettable.

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