kather21's review against another edition
4.0
Rick Bragg is such a pleasure to read. The man can certainly turn a phrase.
jordantheune's review against another edition
3.0
If you're any sort of communications major at the University of Alabama, then you've heard of Rick Bragg. And, if you're like me, you've had a couple of classes with his wife. My interest in listening to the audiobook for The Prince of Frogtown--I will admit--was solely because of my respect and admiration for his wife. Dianne Bragg is a strong and feisty woman, and I suppose you would have to be to marry Rick. I will say that I never would have put these two together, but it obviously must work for them. Another interest I had was in the location of events. Rick came from the Jacksonville/Piedmont area, which is an area in which I am familiar (I live in Fort Payne, AL).
I digress.
This book had two story lines: the story of Rick's father and the story of Rick's stepson. It may come as no surprise that I was more interested in the stepson story line. Learning about Rick's past--about the family from which he came--was eye-opening. He came from a world I don't recognize. He dealt with an upbringing that was insecure and potentially dangerous. It's no wonder that Rick became the gruff man that he appears to be today. I felt sorry for him--for his family--for having a childhood that was messy; it was everything my childhood was not.
Listening to the stepson side of the story continually surprised me. I could not imagine Dianne Bragg marrying this man. I could not imagine Dianne Bragg letting this man be her son's stepfather. I truly was thrown for a loop. I can tell that the longer the relationship went on, the softer Rick became toward Dianne's son, but it was a rough beginning for sure.
Overall, I thought the book was interesting enough, but by no means did I think it was amazing. I thought that some of the expressions used were a little cheesy--almost as if such speech was added to give a more "southern" aspect. Additionally, I felt that many of the quotes used in reference to his father were somewhat forced. At times it reminded me of those awkward (and, again, forced) moments when writing a college essay, when you have to embed quotes into your writing.
I digress.
This book had two story lines: the story of Rick's father and the story of Rick's stepson. It may come as no surprise that I was more interested in the stepson story line. Learning about Rick's past--about the family from which he came--was eye-opening. He came from a world I don't recognize. He dealt with an upbringing that was insecure and potentially dangerous. It's no wonder that Rick became the gruff man that he appears to be today. I felt sorry for him--for his family--for having a childhood that was messy; it was everything my childhood was not.
Listening to the stepson side of the story continually surprised me. I could not imagine Dianne Bragg marrying this man. I could not imagine Dianne Bragg letting this man be her son's stepfather. I truly was thrown for a loop. I can tell that the longer the relationship went on, the softer Rick became toward Dianne's son, but it was a rough beginning for sure.
Overall, I thought the book was interesting enough, but by no means did I think it was amazing. I thought that some of the expressions used were a little cheesy--almost as if such speech was added to give a more "southern" aspect. Additionally, I felt that many of the quotes used in reference to his father were somewhat forced. At times it reminded me of those awkward (and, again, forced) moments when writing a college essay, when you have to embed quotes into your writing.
purelykara's review against another edition
5.0
This man can not write a bad book. His way of telling his stories is so remarkable. A book that explores his father’s life, a man that never really felt like a father and coming to terms with that past in the context of becoming a step-father.
simplymeg's review against another edition
5.0
Having read some of this author's writing for Southern Living magazine, I was not really expecting to like this. But I loved it. Bragg's love for and devotion to his family shine through in some beautiful writing. It's pretty tragic (I cried in a few places). But possibly the most sympathetic rendering of white men's experiences that I have ever read. The story of his family and his hometown is interspersed with endearing and at times hilarious glimpses into Bragg's experience of stepfatherhood. The family history (the tragic part) is also at times hilarious. And the general history of the region was very enlightening.
belacbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A Southern telling of a tale as old as time: the lives of fathers and sons. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would highly suggest listening to the audiobook as I did. The author breathes life into every word; and as an Alabama boy, I appreciated the authentic accent of my people describing days gone by.
jesm98's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audio version of this book via the Libby app.
This was my first Rick Bragg book, but it seems that I missed some of his stories leading up to this one. The anecdotes were sometimes humorous and sometimes heart wrenching. Overall, I was swept away in his telling of his stories, and I wanted to know more about what was going to happen. I would be willing to read more of his stories.
This was my first Rick Bragg book, but it seems that I missed some of his stories leading up to this one. The anecdotes were sometimes humorous and sometimes heart wrenching. Overall, I was swept away in his telling of his stories, and I wanted to know more about what was going to happen. I would be willing to read more of his stories.
purelykara's review against another edition
5.0
This man can not write a bad book. His way of telling his stories is so remarkable. A book that explores his father’s life, a man that never really felt like a father and coming to terms with that past in the context of becoming a step-father.