jeaninesmith1962's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing look at a part of America that seems to have been forgotten. I learned so much...
sorman0110's review against another edition
5.0
Well-written memoir by Richard Grant, a British journalist, who moves from New York to the Mississippi Delta city of Pluto. His reluctant girlfriend (who is a vegan, believes in organic everything, and enjoys the fast-paced life of New York City) travels with him, at which time they buy a house and begin to experience all that Mississippi has to offer. Which, if you are from here, includes fire ants, snakes, armadillos, numerous different bugs, rodents, etc. My home state also has a beauty to it, and Grant does a good job at being open-minded to the experience and trying to understand the nuance of Mississippi and the enigma of our history with regard to race, education, socioeconomic status, and poverty. Oftentimes, people don't understand simply because they are not living here day in and day out, and just write us off as ignorant and backward, last at everything in this country. Grant seeks out the people of the area and truly listens to their views on race relations, extreme poverty in this area, lack of resources, and disparity of education for the young people. What he discovers is poured into his novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed!
rowekeith's review against another edition
5.0
A great introduction to a complicated place
I was recommended this book by a Mississippi friend when my son moved there to work. I came in with a lot of pre-cooked opinions on the place.
This book did a lot to both confirm and refute what I thought I knew about the Delta.
As a "fish out of water", Richard Grant makes a charming guide to the good, the bad and the broad in-between of Mississippi. His writing is vivid and full of love for his new home.
I recommend a glass or three of bourbon and having Spotify on hand to hear the many great Blues artists he meets along the way.
I was recommended this book by a Mississippi friend when my son moved there to work. I came in with a lot of pre-cooked opinions on the place.
This book did a lot to both confirm and refute what I thought I knew about the Delta.
As a "fish out of water", Richard Grant makes a charming guide to the good, the bad and the broad in-between of Mississippi. His writing is vivid and full of love for his new home.
I recommend a glass or three of bourbon and having Spotify on hand to hear the many great Blues artists he meets along the way.
ashleykingsley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
damopedro's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed it. Take an English man, his partner and dog from their cozy left leaning existence in New York and drop them in Mississippi to try and make sense of life there. A fun and enlightening tale.
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
4.0
This book was full of quirky characters and interesting situations. The thing I appreciated most about it though is that while it would have been so easy for Grant to toss out judgements—he didn't. It was journalist in its descriptions of conversations and actions, sort of the way [b:The Glass Castle|7445|The Glass Castle|Jeannette Walls|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523542886l/7445._SY75_.jpg|2944133] was. People are who they are. Definitely worth a read!
jenmoody23's review against another edition
5.0
Richard Grant is from England and has traveled and lived all over the world. After visiting a friend in the Mississippi Delta, he decides to buy a plantation and move there on a whelm. This book tells his story of his life there and what he learns about the people of the area.
What I loved about this book was his frankness and openness. He definitely arrived with preconceived notions and prejudices of Mississippians. He saw the good, the bad and the ugly. What makes this book different is that he saw and admitted the good in these people. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still bad and ugly too, but way too often people from outside Mississippi don’t appreciate the good.
This book to me was like going home. Having been born and raised in Mississippi (but not the Delta) and a graduate of Ole Miss, I could relate to every character in the book, every place, and yes, every problem. Mississippi has a way of gabbing hold of you and never letting go. I haven’t lived there in over 20 years, but my roots run deep and it will always be home. Grant captured that sense of home and was able to convey it in a way I think anyone could understand and relate to no matter where there are from.
What I loved about this book was his frankness and openness. He definitely arrived with preconceived notions and prejudices of Mississippians. He saw the good, the bad and the ugly. What makes this book different is that he saw and admitted the good in these people. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still bad and ugly too, but way too often people from outside Mississippi don’t appreciate the good.
This book to me was like going home. Having been born and raised in Mississippi (but not the Delta) and a graduate of Ole Miss, I could relate to every character in the book, every place, and yes, every problem. Mississippi has a way of gabbing hold of you and never letting go. I haven’t lived there in over 20 years, but my roots run deep and it will always be home. Grant captured that sense of home and was able to convey it in a way I think anyone could understand and relate to no matter where there are from.
soiwenthome's review against another edition
4.0
I like this more than I thought I would. It was my book group's pick for December. I really enjoyed the perspective from an immigrant into the Delta region of Mississippi. I could totally relate to his war with weeds and the land trying to take over civilization. I found it almost shocking how blunt he was with his talk and opinions about race relations in that region and America as a whole. Parts of it screamed "I'm only here to write a book, I'm only your friend to put you in my book", which kind of rubbed me the wrong way, but insightful and entertaining all the same.
msethna's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended by a colleague and I couldn’t put it down. Eye opening stories of life in Mississippi.