A Good Read -- SOUTHERN STYLE
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DOWN RIVER--A GOOD READ by John Hart
Below you will find several reviews of the novel Down River by John Hart. Some of these reviews come from book review sites, professional magazines, or Book Review Blogs. You will also find a synopsis of Down River.
What exactly is "southern fiction"? I believe to truly be a work of southern fiction, the author must first of all be born and reared in the south. Secondly, the story should be set in a southern state. I just know that this seems to exist as a sub-genre and I love it.
Can I create a more descriptive definition that suits me for "southern fiction"? Well, I will try.
I like to use metaphors. So here comes one for you to think about.
When I used to fly (on an airplane, of course) from Denver, Colorado to Birmingham, Alabama, I loved to watch the changing landscape below. I noticed that the terrain began brown and flat, then the closer we came to the southeast, the landscape became greener and had more rivers. Those rivers closer to Colorado tended to be gently curving and coursing thru a brown dust. Those southern rivers I saw curved a lot, kind of like ribbon candy on a piece of green moss.
From my seat high in the sky, the rivers in the south looked slow moving.
As I learned in geology at the University of Alabama, rivers have a life span. When a river is young it is fast moving. As it ages, it picks up lots of rocks, dirt and whatever. All that accumulated baggage makes the river slow down and when it slows down, it drops some of the stuff it has picked up on the journey and curves around it. The older rivers are slow, they curve, slow down and drop more stuff. That dropped silt is rich and makes for good crops.
That is what southern fiction is-- a slow moving river. It has picked up oh so much over the years. It tells you about where it has been, then, moves on. What southern fiction drops along the way is rich and loamy. Out of it grows stories of family secrets and personal memories. Those stories are like no other-I do not know why.
Image from Amazon.com--Click here to purchase Down River by John Hart.
Rivers From An Airplane Window
See the difference?
The West
My Opinion of Down River
A Southern Fiction Good Read
I have read this novel and have a mixed opinion of it. I loved it, yet, it did not really grab my attention.I love "Southern Literature" and am even more attracted to an author if the book is a mystery. This book matched these criteria. It is set in North Carolina and has murder, lawyers, cops, and intrigue.
The characters are wonderful and as the reader of this book, I cared about what was happening to them. As most old money families, the Chases' have some really good "Family Secrets", too.
The plot was ok, but I kept picturing the novel as movie or TV miniseries script.
It was no page turner, for me, however. I wanted to finish it, but the book was not calling to me from the nightstand.
It is worth your time to check this novel out and form your own opinion. For your convienience, I have included a link to John Hart's website where you will find Chapter One of this Southern Novel.
John Hart is definitely an up and coming southern author.
Hope you have found a new southern voice to listen to.
Image from my computer: from the screensavers provided by HP.
From: JANET MASLIN
Published: October 4, 2007 NY Times
New York Times Review of Down River
Read Janet Maslin's full review of this southern novel here:
- NY Times Review of Down River
To Read the full NY TIMES review of the novel, click on the link above.
It may be about a river, but DOWN RIVER is a good beach book!
Kindle edition of this steamy southern work of fiction.
Down River -- Read the 1st Chapter:
Some say if you like Harper Lee, James Lee Burke, Truman Capote or Michael Malone -- you should read this novel.
- Chapter One Of Down River
Read an excerpt from this award-winning novel. Click the above link and it will take you there!
Down River is a classic southern melodrama!
Don't let your cheese grits stain the pages!
What do you think of the novel Down River?
Write a short review, add a comment, or debate someone who disagrees with you.
Please give your opinion! Express yourself after you choose an option.
If you read "Down River", what did you think of it? If you have not read it yet, tell me you are thinking about it.
Yes, I read it and here is what I think........
OhMe says:
I may have to read this one as I, too, love Southern Novels.
Mickie says:
It is a good read for a humid, summer day in the south!
Have not read it yet, but I might and here is why or why not...........
Discover John Hart:
Could he be the next great southern novelist?
Find the link to John Hart's website below:
- Official Website of New York Times Bestselling Author John Hart
He is not a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He wrote Down River which is reviewed here.
- Another writer with the name John Hart
This John is not the man who wrote Down River, but I thought I might put him here. If you love San Francisco, check him out. John Hart American non-fiction writer, poet, editor.
The King of Lies
If you think you might like John Hart but not necessarily DOWN RIVER, give THE KING OF LIES a try. It got really good reviews. I will probably be reading it, too.
The King of Lies
Amazon Price: $1.55 (as of 05/22/2012)
Desire In The Dust
A "B-movie" with a strangely familiar plot - that is, if you read Down River!
I saw some of the 1960's movie, Desire In the Dust on TCM recently. This movie has a lot in common with the book Down River! Namely "Classic Southern Themes": Family with Secrets, Murder, Greed, Love!
Plus, who can resist the following synopsis?
Lonnie Wilson, the son of a toothless sharecropper, Zuba Wilson, returns to small southern hometown...
If you like this vintage poster, click on the image to purchase it on Amazon
This Southern Novel Won the Mystery Writer's Guild
Down River won the Edgar award for best novel.
Rate Down River -- I Dare You!
Find More Southern Authors on Squidoo:
Southern Literature--Do You Like it?
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Joan4
Jul 18, 2010 @ 6:58 pm | delete
- I do enjoy Southern writers -- and you are right, it is a sub-genre all it's own. Thank you for introducing me to John Hart. I think I have been missing some good reads!
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OhMe Jul 18, 2010 @ 6:12 pm | delete
- Yes, I do love Southern Literature and have just recently discovered Mary Alice Monroe's books. I loved Time Is A River. This link goes to my sister's review of this book. You've done a super job with your review of Down River by John Hart. Thanks for the heads up.
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Amitabh1702 Mar 15, 2009 @ 7:00 am | delete
- Good lens. 5*
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BusyQueen
Feb 13, 2009 @ 11:43 am | delete
- Thanks for sharing your knowledge. It's well done. 5 *****'s
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Newest Book by John Hart:
The Last Child
Amazon Price: $3.10 (as of 05/22/2012)
A reader Review: "I dare you to read the prologue of this book without getting totally pulled in to the story. My heart was pounding by page 2, and I think my boss might want to have a talk with Mr. Hart because I went in to work a couple of mornings on very little sleep because I couldn't put this book down until I got to the last word."
