THE SOUTH. Regional Collection of Classic Fiction / Nonfiction.
If for some reason there is anyone on the North American continent who is still unsure as to why New Orleans can rightfully be called the most unique, colorful, if not greatest cultural spot in our hemisphere, have we got the book for you. The names in this collection of short fiction samples, observational pieces, recollections, and musings run as a murderer’s row of incisive artists from across the century + score of years prior to its release in 1992. At some point, all those included lived in the Crescent City or stayed long enough to know something of its rich etouffée soul, all having aimed in their work to cut through the fluff and kill the cancerous rot of bad art that seems endemic of any era. There are expected names and rightfully so: Percy and Faulkner, Zora Neale Hurston and Kate Chopin; plus those whose names and work are synonymous with the high-flying artistic spirit of New Orleans: Tennessee Williams and Louis Armstrong. But editor John Miller wisely spread the vision to include selections from mid-late century greats too: John Kennedy O’Toole (“A Confederacy of Dunces”) and the master of a modern empire of vampire tales, Anne Rice. In all, these 22 samples from works known and not so well known can make the case for New Orleans as one of the richest cultural centers in all the world. But we’ll add this from Andrei Codrescu’s Intro so as to leave no doubt: “There are cities and certain areas of certain cities where the official language is dreams … New Orleans (is a) city that dreams stories.” [Condition: Used Good. Overall, this volume is in great shape, considering it was a library book in a previous life. The cover still hosts a call number sticker with some old price sticker goo (probably from a library sale) on its spine and checkout UPC code, with a due date checkout sheet pasted on inside cover. The cover itself, though a bit shelf-worn, did its job—its 200+ pages in “Used Very Good” condition.]
Condition: Used Good. The Arts. John Miller (ed.). Chronicle Books (San Francisco), 1992. Softcover, 217 pgs, 6 x 9"
