Books matching: 1960s southern setting
3 result(s)
- #1
Save:'Norwood' by Charles Portis is a character-driven novel set in the 1960s South, following Norwood Pratt, a restless ex-marine who embarks on a road trip from Texas to New York. Throughout the journey, Norwood encounters a colorful cast of characters, including a surly bread delivery man, an educated chicken, and the girl of his dreams. The book is filled with deadpan humor, crisp writing, and witty dialogue, making it a hilarious and entertaining read that focuses on the journey rather than the destination.
NORWOOD HAD TO GET a hardship discharge when Mr. Pratt died because there wasn’t anyone else at home to look after Vernell. Vernell was Norwood’s sister. She was a heavy, sleepy girl with bad posture.... - #2
Save:'Fadeout' by Joseph Hansen follows the story of Dave Brandstetter, an insurance investigator dealing with the loss of his long-time partner. Set in Southern California, the novel presents a mystery where Brandstetter must uncover the truth behind a local celebrity's disappearance to validate a life insurance claim. Through tight, expressive prose, the author unravels buried secrets, relationships, and prejudices within the small town, all while depicting Brandstetter's own journey of grief and investigation. The writing style effectively sets up a bleak atmosphere, intertwining the detective's personal struggles with the mystery he is trying to solve.
Fog shrouded the canyon, a box canyon above a California ranch town called Pima. It rained. Not hard but steady and gray and dismal. Shaggy pines loomed through the mist like threats. Sycamores made w... - #3
Save:In the book "In the Heat of the Night" by John Dudley Ball, readers are taken back to a period when racial tensions were high, particularly in the Southern parts of the United States. The story follows the character Virgil Tibbs, a black homicide investigator from California, who finds himself in a small Carolina town called Wells, where he becomes involved in solving a murder case. The plot revolves around the murder of Maestro Enrico Mantoli, which disrupts the town's plans for an orchestral music festival. The book delves into themes of racism, prejudice, and societal attitudes towards race during the 1960s, as Tibbs navigates through a town where his skin color immediately makes him a suspect.
The writing style of John Dudley Ball is praised for its ability to handle the sensitive topic of race relations with intelligence and depth. The book is recognized for its social commentary on the unjust practices of racism in the American South during the Civil Rights movement. Ball's portrayal of the characters, especially Virgil Tibbs, the sheriff, and the deputy, is commended for its development and the exploration of their attitudes towards race, showcasing a shift in perspective by the end of the novel.
At ten minutes to three in the morning, the city of Wells lay inert, hot and stagnant. Most of its eleven thousand people tossed restlessly; the few who couldn’t sleep at all damned the fact that ther...
