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Down Town |
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| Author: Ferrol Sams Published: 2007-06-01 |
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List price: $25.00 Our price: $16.50 |
Usually ships in 24 hours As of: December 01st, 2008 12:32:07 PM |
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Customer comments on this selection. Vintage Sams....Typical Sams. I can't read Ferroll Sams and not smile the whole time. This one is no exception. His characters are so quirky that they ~have~ to live somewhere, probably around Fayetteville, where Sams lives. Like his Run with the Horsemen, while he may deny that it's autobiographical, I find that hard to believe. Granted he's not a lawyer--a good thing--as is the owner of the eyes through which the story is seen (he's a doctor in real life), that doesn't make a lot of difference in the narrative, when you come down to it. It's vintage Ferroll Sams. If you like his other work, you'll like this. If not, prolly won't, but then you wouldn't be reading this review if that were the case. Don't miss Beatrice's speech quirks. They're the best. It was occasionally like reading Molly Bloom's rambling thoughts.  An Easy Going History Of "Our Town"When Major Cofield arrived in our town, sometime after the War Between The States, he was the first of an illustrious dynasty--of quirky characters. As time went on they founded a banking empire, ran the Bazemores out of business, gained and lost political power, and ended up with--well, you just have to read the story. A story without a real plot, but packed full of colorful, often dyspeptic personalities, petty conflicts, social indiscretions, and, inevitably, change. The story is told by Aloysius (or Buster) Holcombe, an eccentric bachelor attorney, who is no relation to the Cofields but knows everything about them (and everyone else in town). A man who loves to quote poetry, especially Edna St. Vincent Millay, and who, in his youth found her poetry a great key to seduction. Ah, but those were different times. Author Ferrol Sams is a great writer, with a flair for comic narrative, regional speech, and the ebb and flow of cultural history. And, of course, poetry. At times he will have you roaring with laughter. Unfortunately, the book sometimes drags a bit, and I found it hard to keep up with all the dozens of characters. Still, if the history of small Southern towns interests you at all, you will undoubtedly enjoy Down Town. I recommend it highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber. DowntownDr. Ferrol Sams is a truly expert in his novels about Southern Living. Too bad more should be written as the Old South is rapidly disappearing Downtown is atypical description of small town stories. It is recommending reading for everyone but especially those who loves southern humor.  Not a kindly view of the Southern small townI was very disappointed in this book as it has none of the humor and wit of his 3 book series about growing up in GA and WW II experiences. Those 3 books kept me rolling on the floor and I approached this book with high expectations. Unfortunately I found it mean spirited and imperious, not humorous or witty in any respect. I can't imagine why this book would have any redeeming value and those folks who grew up in the South would find it insulting. Exposing the arrogance of the "upper class" and their attitudes toward the poor and outsiders show these towns at their worst. I do not recommend this book. WONDERFUL BOOK AND AUTHORMy husband has read all of Ferrol's books and has laughed his way thru all of them. Growing up in the south in the country during the 40's and 50's gives you a total appreciation of these books. He convinced me to read Down Town and I laughed all the way thru. My husband is a rather somber person, but Mr. Sams has given him many laughs and hours of pleasure. This book lets you put names of characters in the book with real people in the small towns and country where we grew up. If you love reading about characters in the south when times were simple and neighbors still knew and helped one another, this book is for you. I will read all of his books after reading this one. |
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