Reviews

All Over But the Shoutin by Rick Bragg

guccysnake's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

ashleyb_4's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

heyjude1965's review against another edition

3.0

I've been curious about this book since it came out in the 90s. My kids were little then, and so was my free time, so I'm just now getting around to reading it. It was an interesting read, and I understood him because we share the same home state and had similar stories, living through similar situations. I think my older brothers might appreciate it more though, especially the stories of his teenage years. Glad I finally got to this one. A must read for native Alabamians, as is To Kill a Mockingbird.

karawhipple's review against another edition

2.0

I can easily see *why* this book is assigned. Still working on how I feel about it as a stand-alone.

Edit: did a super fast re-listen so I could properly complete my assignment. Ugh. I definitely don’t care for this guy. Confirmed.

judyward's review against another edition

4.0

An edgy memoir about growing up dirt poor in northeastern Alabama, the son of a man with an infamous temper who found it easier to run out on the people who needed him than to stay and take care of them. But the heart of the book is Bragg's tribute to his mother. The mother who worked in the cotton fields of his community and who went 18 years without a new dress so that her sons could stay off welfare and have clothes for school. Growing up resentful of the "haves" Rick Bragg fought his way out of poverty and into journalism and ultimately landed a job at "the temple" of his profession--the New York Times. And, to his credit, with all of his honors, including a Pulitzer, he seems most proud of celebrating his success by buying his mother the house that she always wanted.

leleroulant's review against another edition

3.0

I love Rick Bragg's writing. The Prologue of the book was beautiful. I was under the impression the book was about his mother, she does play an intregal part, but the book is about Rick Bragg and his career. The portions of his career were interesting but not as lyrical as when he is talking about his life in the South. Over all, definitely worth the read.

mollymctouch's review against another edition

5.0

Loved it. Anyone who loves being Southern, who knows what it means to work for damn everything will know this book. It's so good it hurts.

lassiesbum's review against another edition

slow-paced

2.5

I anticipated the book to be similar to The Glass Castle, about his horrible dysfunctional upbringing, but instead it seemed more like a Rick Bragg autobiography of his journalism career. A lot of people seemed to love this book, but I struggled to get through it. He did think a lot of himself and definitely let you know it!

lizjones121's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

dctigue's review against another edition

5.0

I enjoyed this book. It reminded me of Angela's Ashes with a southern twang.