"Welty remains for me the model of how all authors ought to be." So says Anne Tyler of Eudora Welty, whose Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Optimist's Daughter will be the Cornflower Book Group's June book.
First pubished in The New Yorker in 1969, then revised and extended to its current form in 1972, it is "a reflective, poignant novel of independence and love", "a gentle, tender work, bright with Welty's sharp humour and pioneer sense of place".
"The people of Mount Salus, Mississippi always felt good about Judge McKelva. He was a quiet, solid, reassuring figure, just as a judge should be. Then, ten years after his first wife's death, he marries the frivolous young Wanda Fay. No one can understand his action, not least his beloved daughter, Laurel, who finds it hard to accept the new bride. It is only some years later, when circumstance brings her back to her childhood home, that Laurel stirs old memories and comes to understand the peculiarities of her upbringing, and the true relationship between her parents and herself."
At under 200 pages this is a short novel which everyone should easily be able to acquire and read in time for a late-ish June discussion - let's say Saturday the 23rd. I've not read Eudora Welty before and I'm looking forward to this book, especially as what was meant to be just a glance at the opening passage had me reading on and keen to go further right now when I already have three other books on the go. This is said to be her finest novel, and I hope it will prove to be an excellent read for us; do please join in.
I've been wanting to read The Optimist's Daughter since I enjoyed Ms Welty's exchange of letters with William Maxwell, and here's the perfect opportunity to read it in good company. Looking forward to it.
Posted by: Susan E | 15 May 2012 at 05:11 PM
Oh, good!
I've just heard about the letters from Pamela ( http://fromthehouseofedward.blogspot.co.uk/ ) so I've added that book to my wish list.
Posted by: Cornflower | 15 May 2012 at 05:14 PM
I've never read this one (and I can't remember reading any Welty). I'm likely to be out of internet range for the discussion, but I'll read along and try to catch comments when I get back in town.
Posted by: Susan in TX | 15 May 2012 at 05:41 PM
I have never read any Eudora Welty either, so I look forward to reading this. My library has a copy and 200 pages sounds just right.
Posted by: Ruthiella | 15 May 2012 at 05:51 PM
Great, Susan! Thankyou.
Posted by: Cornflower | 15 May 2012 at 08:28 PM
Earlier today on our public radio station, I heard a recording of Studs Terkel interviewing Eudora Welty. Terkel would be 100 were he living and during a long radio career in Chicago made a name for himself as an interviewer. He also wrote several books based on oral histories. It was wonderful to hear him again and, as always, wonderful to hear Eudora Welty. You will enjoy Welty's writing despite the cultural chasm between Mississippi and Edinburgh.
SAVC, North Carolina, USA
Posted by: Shirley Van Clay | 15 May 2012 at 08:29 PM
Yes, sometimes a shortish book is just the thing.
Posted by: Cornflower | 15 May 2012 at 08:29 PM
Books: Bill suggests _Losing Battles_ and _Delta Wedding_. I like short stories, myself - such as, "Why I Live at the P.O." and "Powerhouse." We have recordings of those two. We feel a kinship with Miss Eudora (as one would say in the South), having grown up a couple of hours due West of where she lived. I'm also a fan of her photography work.
Here's a uk link to a nice article: "A brief survey of the short story part 29: Eudora Welty"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/oct/20/brief-history-short-story-eudora-welty
Posted by: Nancy | 15 May 2012 at 09:44 PM
I'm so looking forward to it, Shirley; thankyou.
Your mention of the interview sent me over to Youtube to see if I could find the lady herself there, and here she is, talking about her story A Worn Path: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2fh37fzsOg
Posted by: Cornflower | 15 May 2012 at 10:02 PM
Many thanks for that link, Nancy. I feel I'm going to love Miss Welty's work.
Posted by: Cornflower | 15 May 2012 at 10:10 PM
I recommend the short story Welty is talking about in the interview. I have read it more than once and each time found it moving.
Posted by: Shirley Van Clay | 16 May 2012 at 04:35 AM
I have never read her either--shame on me as an American. Even further shame I know that this is because her name is so unattractive--sounds like women's pulp and a pseudonym.
So here goes. I'll start with this one.
Posted by: Erika | 16 May 2012 at 12:29 PM
A bit of useless information for you: The 'Eudora' email program was named for Eudora Welty. I used that at one time and liked it.
Posted by: Nancy | 17 May 2012 at 02:44 AM
I started last night with a sample on kindle, then I bought the book and started reading in the middle of the night (when I should be finishing the book for the "real live" book club next week. So far, very enjoyable. I'm glad to be introduced to her writing.
Posted by: Deirdre | 17 May 2012 at 10:09 AM
Excellent, Erika.
Interesting point about names being off-putting.
Posted by: Cornflower | 17 May 2012 at 10:26 AM
How funny: immortality through books and an email program!
Posted by: Cornflower | 17 May 2012 at 10:27 AM
Glad you're enjoying it, Deirdre.
Posted by: Cornflower | 17 May 2012 at 10:28 AM
I still use the mail program named for her - the creator named it for her short story "I have always lived in the post office"
I wrote a bit about it in my Reading Diary
Posted by: Janice | 17 May 2012 at 03:44 PM
I've adored her writing for many years - especially the short stories in "Collected Works" of Eudora Welty". Not having read "The Optimist's Daughter", I hied myself to the library downtown via a 70-minute bus ride. It's an old and tattered early edition - and so loving it
wow - that Kay is some piece of work, isn't she?
Posted by: Janice | 17 May 2012 at 03:50 PM
Thank you so much for that link, Janice, and how interesting!
I love that you say Miss Welty's "vision is sweet by nature".
Posted by: Cornflower | 17 May 2012 at 04:43 PM
Great!
Posted by: Cornflower | 17 May 2012 at 04:43 PM
I love Eudora Welty and so pleased that she is now becoming popular again. I recommend looking at 'The Eudor Welty Foundation' a fasinating look at the home where she lived with her parents and two brothers.
Posted by: Jennifer Dee | 20 May 2012 at 09:09 AM
I've had this book on my to-read list for awhile now. I was just looking at it the other day and thinking I'd like to read it soon. Your book group is the perfect incentive!
Posted by: Mona | 22 May 2012 at 03:31 AM
I can't believe I have never read Eudora Welty before and am excited by this pick. (And I am determined to have the right date for June's discussion!)
Posted by: Julie Fredericksen | 22 May 2012 at 05:16 PM
I always say I'm going to join in (if only to myself lately), but then when the time rolls around I've usually overextended myself. Will June be the month I really do? I'll dig out my copy in any case and be optimistic about it! :)
Posted by: Danielle | 25 May 2012 at 02:46 AM
I have my eye on this book about the garden: http://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Writers-Garden-Eudora-Weltys/dp/1617031194/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&coliid=IPZVC6L234Y48&colid=3QHJ8947DY1ME
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 May 2012 at 04:43 PM
Excellent!
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 May 2012 at 04:43 PM
I'm glad I've chosen something which is a new one even for some of our American readers.
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 May 2012 at 04:45 PM
At least this is a shortish book, Danielle, so easier to squeeze into your packed reading schedule!
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 May 2012 at 04:45 PM