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A review by carolpk
Local Souls by Allan Gurganus
5.0
Local Souls published on September 23rd. I read a review copy so some of my comments may not reflect the finished work. My sincere thanks to Liveright, W.w. Norton Publishing for providing the e-galley and for Joe Foster of Edelweiss for his recommendation.
Rarely do I read reviews before formulating my own comments. In this case I wanted a bit of insight as I was having difficulty describing this read. I was totally enraptured by the whole but didn't know quite how to explain why or the book itself. I'm generally not a fan of short story or novella and wondered if Local Souls was for me. I always feel like I'm missing something, like everyone else gets it and I'm left scratching my head. I needn't have worried in this case. I got it and got it loud and clear but how do I gain your interest if I can't quite explain it.
We have three stories, linked together at least by their location, Falls, NC. Each is told from the viewpoint of one character who expertly fleshes out others in their family and/or the town. I feel like I am in the head of the narrator, and get a strong understanding of their thoughts and feelings. Some of what is told is very painful and made me wince for the character. One I just wanted to shake.
Fear Not the first, begins at a play which the male narrator is attending to see his godson perform. He, this narrator , has just sent his long worked on manuscript out in the mail and is a bit at odds as to what comes next. A couple sits next to him. They seem a bit different than most regulars at these school plays, not quite the right age, not quite as jaded as most who've been to numerous productions by their offspring over the years. They seem delighted to be here and delighted by each other, touching and whispering, very at ease in their knowledge of the other. The narrator and the couple talk a bit before the play begins, spend some time chatting during intermission and generally hit it off well. The narrator is intrigued. Who are they? and what of them? As he learns their story he fills us in, telling us first that the story he is about to relate is mostly true. Soon he tells us the story is 80% true. Either way, it's an excellent tale, with passages both visually stunning and beautifully rendered.
The second story, Saints Have Mothers was the one that blew me away. The narrator here is a mother of somebody. That is how she thinks of her daughter; a somebody. It is a story of a mother's worse nightmare and the one that made me wince. I'll say nothing more except that I loved it.
The last, Decoy, is told from the perspective of a man and his doctor and their long history together and in the town. Good, not as compelling as the first two but worthy just the same.
In the three stories we get a true sense of Falls, NC. It is a small town, 6000+ residents, sounding much like the community I live making me feel right at home.
Nothing extraordinary in these lives, but the ordinariness of theselocal souls is what makes them special.
My favorite quote (Fear Not):
"many routes to joy.
Most of them: detours"
Runner up (Saints Have Mothers):
"Men are so simple, they think women are!"
and lastly (Decoy):
"My body gave signs it itself wanted to retire. From any strenuous further use."
All taken out of context but I love them so.
One reviewer felt this outing did not live up to the author's usual standards. I couldn't say as I've never read him before but if this is a mediocre collection, then I truly need to read more. Gurganus is the author of the acclaimed Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All. Haven't read it. Better put it on my list.
Rarely do I read reviews before formulating my own comments. In this case I wanted a bit of insight as I was having difficulty describing this read. I was totally enraptured by the whole but didn't know quite how to explain why or the book itself. I'm generally not a fan of short story or novella and wondered if Local Souls was for me. I always feel like I'm missing something, like everyone else gets it and I'm left scratching my head. I needn't have worried in this case. I got it and got it loud and clear but how do I gain your interest if I can't quite explain it.
We have three stories, linked together at least by their location, Falls, NC. Each is told from the viewpoint of one character who expertly fleshes out others in their family and/or the town. I feel like I am in the head of the narrator, and get a strong understanding of their thoughts and feelings. Some of what is told is very painful and made me wince for the character. One I just wanted to shake.
Fear Not the first, begins at a play which the male narrator is attending to see his godson perform. He, this narrator , has just sent his long worked on manuscript out in the mail and is a bit at odds as to what comes next. A couple sits next to him. They seem a bit different than most regulars at these school plays, not quite the right age, not quite as jaded as most who've been to numerous productions by their offspring over the years. They seem delighted to be here and delighted by each other, touching and whispering, very at ease in their knowledge of the other. The narrator and the couple talk a bit before the play begins, spend some time chatting during intermission and generally hit it off well. The narrator is intrigued. Who are they? and what of them? As he learns their story he fills us in, telling us first that the story he is about to relate is mostly true. Soon he tells us the story is 80% true. Either way, it's an excellent tale, with passages both visually stunning and beautifully rendered.
The second story, Saints Have Mothers was the one that blew me away. The narrator here is a mother of somebody. That is how she thinks of her daughter; a somebody. It is a story of a mother's worse nightmare and the one that made me wince. I'll say nothing more except that I loved it.
The last, Decoy, is told from the perspective of a man and his doctor and their long history together and in the town. Good, not as compelling as the first two but worthy just the same.
In the three stories we get a true sense of Falls, NC. It is a small town, 6000+ residents, sounding much like the community I live making me feel right at home.
Nothing extraordinary in these lives, but the ordinariness of theselocal souls is what makes them special.
My favorite quote (Fear Not):
"many routes to joy.
Most of them: detours"
Runner up (Saints Have Mothers):
"Men are so simple, they think women are!"
and lastly (Decoy):
"My body gave signs it itself wanted to retire. From any strenuous further use."
All taken out of context but I love them so.
One reviewer felt this outing did not live up to the author's usual standards. I couldn't say as I've never read him before but if this is a mediocre collection, then I truly need to read more. Gurganus is the author of the acclaimed Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All. Haven't read it. Better put it on my list.