Louisiana Books

GREAT READING ON THE HISTORY OF THE ACADIANS AS WELL AS THE SCOTT-LAFAYETTE, LA AREA. THE MURDER HELPS KEEP A THREAD OF INTEREST GOING IN THE FAMILIES OF THIS AREA.

You don't have to be from Louisiana to find this book completely compelling. Any fan of non-fiction, history or true crime will be unable to put it down. Arceneaux presents a fascinating story of murder and justice in a most captivating way. The author's attention to detail is amazing - scholarly but never intimidating. I was captivated by the twists and turns the story took along with Arceneaux's insightful positioning of the events and their import. This book will leave a lasting impression on you. Read it...

This is the story of a crime in the last century in a rural part of Louisiana. But it is also much more. It includes a fine series of chapters explaining the history of the Acadian people (Begnaud was an Acadian in a whistle stop) and of all the major players and of Louisiana history. In a short set of chapters the author gives us both the history and the interest. By the end I was sorry to see it finish - but I learned a lot about both the "crime of the century" and also the context of the events. It was hard to put down - even when I came to the end. Arceneaux did a thorough history but also took care to make it a fascinating book.

A well woven tapestry of the history and sociology of the Acadians of Louisiana, the South in post reconstruction years, and the genealogy of the authors family all neatly tied together in the telling of the tale of a murder which at the time was an international sensation even though it took place in the back waters of Louisiana. William Arceneaux is a smooth talker in person and has proved himself a skillful writer and clever story teller. There is one vignette on euthanasia that you may not want to read because it will haunt you when you wake up in a dark room at 3 o'clock in the morning. This an entertaining, even educational, well conceived and organized book.

I first read the book because I had seen a play based on it, and it (the play) had made no sense. However, the topic of the book sounded good, so I wanted to find out more. So I picked up one of the FUNNIEST books I have ever read. If anyone is interested in WWII, or any aspect of war, and want some comedy, this is the book for you.

You WILL laugh out loud. Will Stockdale vs. the U.S. Army. Not a fair fight in this hilarious book. Naive hillbilly, reduces military to shambles. Drafted into the army and meets up with foreign-to-him culture, this story chronicles the military's efforts to round him up, put him through boot camp, test him psychologically, send him on suicide mission, etc. He lives through hazing, bureaucratic bungling, bombs and many other riotous adventures. Much, much funnier than the movie.

I read this book while serving in the Air Force and while serving a temporary duty assignment in Saudi Arabia. On more than one occasion I was amused to see an NCO's reaction to the book I was reading.

Having been a member of the only military fighting force in the world that isn't too proud to make fun of itself, this book is easily one of the most memorable pieces of literature I had the pleasure of coming across during my enlistment. Will Stockdale, backwoods redneck/draftee, is the Huckleberry Finn (with a bit of Forrest Gump mixed in) of modern military fiction. One of the funniest dialogue exchanges occurs when Will and his pal Ben - a short bespectacled gent whose chief ambition (initially) is to bust into infantry - are talking about how horrible it would be if they got selected to go into the Air Force.

"...Will, do you know what they call men in the Air Force?"
"No, I don't think I heered say."
"They call 'em...airmen. By dog, Will, don't you see? How'd you like to be called an airman?"
"By God, I just don't think I'd stand for it..."

But Will and Ben's ambitions later tend to change when considering (among other things) the many decorations one may receive in the Air Force and how easily they can be acquired. It's especially humorous when Ben points out,

"I believe you stand just about as good a chance of getting [medals] in the Air Force as any place...Why, today, you can get a medal by just not doing anything wrong..."

It was at this point that I began to wonder in the other American military branches - or those of our allies - award their brave men and women the Good Conduct Medal (the recipient earns this by not getting demoted); the Longevity Medal (serve for a minimum of four years); and other awards and honors just for showing up. NO TIME FOR SERGEANTS - written by a former officer of the U.S. Army Air Corps - made it clear that some things in our military are just downright hilarious if you can look at them from the right perspective.

Even if you don't have the military experience, this short, lighthearted, and reader-friendly book is sure to please as it brings to mind reminders of FORREST GUMP, GOMER PYLE, and...oh yeah...NO TIME FOR SERGEANTS (starring Andy Griffith as Will Stockdale).

I don't remember when I first read this book, but I do remember laughing out loud during certain parts (something I rarely ever do!) If you've seen the movie starring Andy Griffith you have the basic idea as to what it's about, but the book adds a lot of little things which I found immensely amusing. Needless to say, it's not complimentary to the military, but it's more of an attack on the bureaucracy surrounding the armed forces than it is on anything else. A very funny book!

Mrs. Coco, a Mississippian, considers herself in exile in Louisiana. In Tula Springs she is not far from Mississippi. Ethyl Mae eloped to marry Mr. Coco. She plays the cello in a string quartet, Pro Arts. She is fifty seven years old. Her youngest child, the sixth, is still in college.

Myrtice and Duk-Soo are also members of the quartet, along with Mrs. Coco and her son, George Henry. The quartet plays at the new Burger Mat. Someone from Eutaw recognizes Mrs. Coco because she won the swimsuit event in a Miss Mississippi contest.

Mr. Coco's retail store, not situated at the mall, is not doing well. The family lives in the only private house in the business district of Tula Springs. The beauty college is adjacent to the family home. In addition to George Henry, the Coco children are Sam, Lucy, Larry, Helen Ann, and Nancy. Mrs. Coco drives an eighteen year old Dodge Dart. She has been learning a Dvorak concerto for twelve years.

North Gladiola is located in the southern half of Tula Springs. (There is no South Gladiola.) Mrs. Coco feels that Pro Arts has a duty to raise the cultural level of Tula Springs. She makes a new friend, Maud Herbert. She, Ethyl Coco, is suspected of being involved in the disappearance of the Chihuahua mascot of the beauty college and Maud Herbert takes action to defend her.

The quartet becomes a quintet after Mrs. Coco replaces her son with a child and then reinstates her son, George Henry, to the group. Later she discharges Duk-Soo and with other losses Pro Arts becomes a trio. Duk-Soo almost testifies before the dreaded CP, (Citizens' Patrol), about the demise of the pet Chihuahua.

The mystery of the connection of the characters to each other is explained in a satisfying manner near the end of the book. It is tremendously funny.

I find this book both humorous and sad!! I am from this town that James Wilcox describes; I knew his parents, and his sisters!! I did NOT KNOW him!! Younger!! On the one hand, I'd love to defend it as not so "odd", but on the other, I'm inclined to agree!! James Wilcox has caught the very essence of this smaller La. town!! It's weird, it's gossipy, it's into everyone else's business!! I even know the street, and house he describes in this book!!! And I've been gone for a long time!!! Some people, no matter what. are hell bent on destroying others!!! I think that "tongue in cheek" attitude is perfect!! If ever I were to write about my "hometown". it would be the same way!! Thanks, James for bringing it all back to me!!! I also enjoyed "Modern Baptists" which is probably even more reminescent of this LA town!!! And thanks for reminding me WHY I REALLY don't want to go back there!!! Do You???

I love this author--it is a crime he most of his works are out of print. This book, like others, is a rich, completely realized world of ordinary-seeming characters who have profound, quiet revelations. Funnier and more humane than John Kennedy Toole. Wilcox deserves to be recognized as one of the best writers alive today. Sadly, he is almost obscure. What a crime.

Mrs. Coco is a middle-aged lady with six grown children-- none of whom turned out very well. The oldest daughter is cricket ranching in Australia and the youngest son is taking classes in weaving. Her 71-year-old husband is driving her crazy with his penchant for buying useless items that are on sale. But the true center of Mrs. Coco's life is her string quartet even though their usual venue is the opening of some new burger drive-through. Still, she (and seemingly everyone else in this book) is feeling a bit dissatisfied, a bit empty.

Then a series of misunderstandings puts the good Catholic Mrs. Coco smack-dab in the middle of town gossip. She is said to have committed adultery with DuK-Soo, the second violin in her quartet. She is said to have murdered the hairdresser's dog. And it is said that she was throwing up in Duk-soo's dorm room because she was drunk. On the long dark road to clearing her name, Mrs. Coco will even question her faith in God.

When I first began reading, I wasn't sure I wanted to spend time with all these peevish people, but gradually the absurd situations and the very sympathetic Mrs. Coco sucked me in. It is a funny book, but the humor is very painful.

The Palace Cafe is one of my required stops whenever I'm in New Orleans. I discovered this cookbook at the airport on my way back to Chicago. The book is a high-quality publication. It has the real recipes, family history and famous menues. There are short sidebars with each recipe. The photography is georgeous, although I wish there was more of it. This book is truly the taste of New Orleans.

Dickie Brennan's Palace Cafe: The Flavor Of New Orleans showcases more than 170 recipes enhanced with a wealth of culinary tips as well as anecdotal stories from the "first family of Creole" and insights into the Palace Cafe, one of New Orleans finest and most popular restaurants. Featuring complete menus, the "user friendly" recipes range from Milk Punch; Pork Grillades with Andouille Goat Cheese; Crabmeat Cheesecake with Pecan Crust; and Shrimp Remoulade; to Oyster and Eggplant Soup; Ponchatoula Strawberry and Spinach Salad; Grilled Rib-Eye with Roasted New Potato Port Salut Hash; and White Chocolate Creme Brulee, Dickie Brennan's Palace Cafe is a superbly presented volume enhanced with occasional full color culinary photography and would grace any dedicated gourmet's cookbook collection.

If you want to enjoy real New Orleans cooking with a unique flair, this is the book for you. As a New Orleans native, I have many cookbooks with local recipes, but this one has not only wonderful recipes, but surprising insight into the Brennan family and a behind the scenes peek into a great restaurant. Each recipe is extraordinary combining unusual ingredients into fabulous dishes, such as the red bean dip with homemade potato chips and the delectable fish recipes. The instructions are concise and easy to follow. Buy this book if only for the famous white chocolate bread pudding. This is a true epicurean delight, and the Brennan family is a New Orleans treasure.

I really enjoyed this cookbook. The recipes were not difficult and were delicious. In addition to that the book itself is lovely. Between the pictures, family stories and tips on so many pages, I felt as though I were in New Orleans cooking with a friend! Dickie Brennan - I will be waiting in line for your next cookbook.

I remember Alex's palce in New Iberia from the early 80's. Great food, my wife and I lived in Lafayette and ate there once a week. We bought the book years ago, shortly after it was published. We still use it today. Try Shrimp Mrs. Ann. You can use fish instead of shrimp and it is still wonderful. The green beans in a roux is very good. There are a number of books on Cajun cooking, this is one of the best.

I thought it looked a bit bland when we got it. There were not a lot of bright pretty pictures. However, every recipe I've tried has turned out great. The recipes are easy to follow. THey do require some typical 'cajun' types food (Tasso for example) but mostly the recipes have on hand ingredients.

Enjoy.

This book was my first in the area of Cajun Cooking and inspired me to use my own creativity while preparing different foods. This book shows you the basics in Cajun Cooking.

Great book for those of you interested in real Cajun cooking done very well. Alex Patout is from the Heart of Acadiana, so he knows what he's talking about. Definitely not for vegetarians.

Ron Gomez has pulled off the unimaginable!!!Louisiana has long been infamous for its corrupt politicians and special interest dominated elections. Yet, no one has been able to accurately portray the totality of contemproary Louisiana politics in a single manuscript (fiction or non-fiction)until Ron Gomez penned Pelican Games. Pelican Games is an insightful, albeit fictional, account of the inner workings of "play-for-keeps" Louisiana gubernatorial politics. More importantly, the author has contrived a plot and created attendant characters that are guranteed to keep the reader spell bound and wanting more. The plot is indeed very plausible for Louisiana and never, ever predictable. This book can easily be charaterized as a fast-paced, "thriller" in every sense of the word. Yet, the author's clear writing and lucid descriptions allow time to literally stand still during the intense heat and fast pace of an all out "battle-royale" election for closest thing to a monarchy in America-the Lousiana Governorship. Gomez also goes to great lengths to explain the intricacies and oddities of Louisiana's political system.
Written like a fine Dick Francis novel, Pelican Games provides the reader with a crystal clear expanse of the author's literary genius. Consequently, the reader does not have to possess a background in politics or, even like politics for that matter, to fully enjoy this book. Ron Gomez simply provides our wildest imagination for us! All we need do is show up and turn the pages.

Pelican Games starts fast and keeps going. I was drawn into the plot immediately, then kept involved by the superb character development. In fact, the character development was good enough to make me actually despise one of the characters. I don't often get such a reaction to a novel character.

The author was once a reporter and his eye for detail helps round out story line with very rich images.

Several of the plot threads are ultimately resolved in ways that I didn't see coming. That was a nice change from the formula endings that seem to permeate novels.

As a bonus, the chapters are short, making this a great bedside reader.

This is a really rare novel, a book one can read, see, smell and feel all the way through.

The stage on which the drama plays out is Louisiana and the writer portrays Louisiana as the terrible beauty that it is. The themes of the work are woven like threads through the tapestry of the political landscape in Louisiana.

The story is universal and has as much relevance to California, Chicago, and New York as it does to New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Most importantly, this book delivers what most novels only promise. The pages turn themselves; you cannot put the book down till the end.

One of the most difficult things in storytelling is accomplished effortlessly by the author - - people whose lives are lived in stereotypical roles (Candidates for Governor, Political Staffers, Corporate Officer, Media and even Mafia) are not presented as stereotypes at all, but rather as real people. And all of the major players have entourages and those entourages are drawn so that the distinct characters within the groups emerge as clearly as the principal players in the drama.

The plot is not something this reviewer wants to hint at, except to say that if one is only going to read one fast paced, complex, colorful novel this spring, this is the book to buy.

This seemingly Louisiana story by a Louisiana writer is anything but a regional story. It's a big story that could play out anywhere. In setting the story in Louisiana, the writer did the reader a favor because he knows Louisiana as well as anyone who has set a story here.

This should become a film. When one finishes reading the book, all one can hope for is the chance to see it on the big screen.

The novel was thoroughly enjoyable and a real page-turner. There is no way of figuring out where the plot is headed.

Of course, it is only fiction, but it was fun trying to put real Louisiana faces on the characters.

Ron Gomez really does a great job with all the details and suspense. As one of our rare honest and ethical elected officials, Ron understand and has seen the dark underbelly of LA politics.

Unfortunately, the book was not only fiction, but more like a fairy tale of LA politics. Here's wishing that one day it may all come true.

Ron has always been a great story teller, so it was no great surprise that he has become a talented writer.

I found her poetry wonderful in the sense that she can articulate the voice of every narrator in each separte poem. Each with its own author, the storyteller, be it a worm or an old woman has a story. I'm not sure if that makes perfect sense, but I really loved her book.

This book is so excellent that I've already purchased three extra copies to pass along to friends. Andrews' poems explore the instability of memory, family, and ownership, drawing on the experiences of the narrator and her Southern family, the dissolution of their land, the objects of their history, time and the past. Andrews exhibits amazing control of her art form; her poems are breathtaking in their clarity--emotional without seeming overwrought, as beautiful as they are brutal, and as personal as they are universal.

The obvious thing to say is that this book will appeal to fans of Faulkner and other great Southern writers, but Pharaoh, Pharaoh will be appreciated by anyone who likes good poetry.

Arrests your consciousness with its imagery and language. Rewards thoughtful reading with its insight and wisdom. The fundamental themes of generations and inheritance are a modern echo of Ecclesiastes. This is the best debut collection of poems I've read in years.

Claudia Emerson Andrews's Pharaoh, Pharaoh is the rarest and best kind of discovery: a book full of poems by an author who has found her voice and allowed it to free, rather than limit, her explorations. Demanding to be read aloud alone or to others, the rhythm and language bring the reader along on a remarkable journey. Full of gentle reminiscences and powerful histories, Pharaoh, Pharaoh is quiet and profound, capturing moments in time and meaning with a heartbreaking and familiar clarity. The first book of the Southern Messenger series, Pharaoh, Pharaoh, like all the best Southern writing, contains messages for all its readers. Become one.

For Dostoevsky fanatics, this book is a must-read. It explores The Legend of the Grand Inquisitor in The Brothers Karamazov. It keeps Dostoevsky in the context of his times, examining his political and religious philosophy. Extremely well-written and thought provoking--good help to understanding Dostoevky's other works as well.

What a book! Great for any serious fan of Dostoevsky and his philosophy of religion and metaphysics. It puts the context on his thought and his works.

In the fairest and most detailed way, Elis Sandoz fairly and accurately examines Dostoevsky's "Legend of The Grand Inquisitor."

This is one of the best books I've read all year. I'm speechless just buy this book!

Ellis Sandoz (one of only a few graduate students philosopher Eric Voegelin took on) provides an excellent discussion and analysis of Dostoevsky's "Legend of the Grand Inquisitor" from The Brothers Karamazov, perhaps one of the world's greatest novels. Sandoz first gives the historical and religious background of Dostoevsky and the Russia he knew, placing Dostoevsky's thought in the particular (and peculiar?) character of Russian Orthodox Christianity, with its roots in old Slavic cults. He then launches into an explication of the Legend, understanding it in distinctly biblical terms. His discussion of the "threeness" of the tale (he finds dozens of triplets throughout) is quite interesting. But more than an analysis of Dostoevsky, it is an insight into the nihilism of modern times. The solution to the crisis lies in returning political science to a search (zetema) for truth. "Political Apocalypse" is a step in that direction.

What a book! Great for any serious fan of Dostoevsky and his philosophy of religion and metaphysics. It puts the context on his thought and his works.

In the fairest and most detailed way, Elis Sandoz fairly and accurately examines Dostoevsky's "Legend of The Grand Inquisitor."

This is one of the best books I've read all year. I'm speechless just buy this book!

Clif Cormier's humble beginnings in Cajun country provide the launching of a young man who became a career Marine as well as a career newspaperman. He fought in WWII and Korea, led his men through dangers, and lived to write about his experiences with great clarity and vivid details. When he retired from the military, Cormier attended and graduated from the University of Florida and became a news reporter and later a city editor of a major newspaper. His story gives people insight into perseverance and adherance to values. He describes his travels in both the Pacific and later throughout the world. Cormier's writing makes this book a must for people who want to read about US Marine Corp life as well as life after the military. Excellent book that holds reader's interest! Semper Fi!

I read this book in one night--A very interesting look into the life of a military man during World War II, and also the typical life for a boy growing up in Louisiana during the Depression. It is well written, and has a very informative prologue. Highly enjoyable; at times sad, and at times very funny.
He has led a very interesting life; I have recommended this book to a number of people, and will continue to do so.

Captain Clif Cormier was my Battery Commander, at Hotel Battery 3rd. Battalion 10th Marines when I was a young 2nd Lt. in 1959. I found him to be an outstanding leader, firm but fair with those who served under him.

I was fortunate to recieve one of his books directly from Captain Cormier and am ordering 2 more for my children to read. It is a story of what it was like growing up in the depression and being a Marine through World War II, Korea, the peacetime Marines and what opportunities retirement can bring.

When Captain Cormier retired, his officers pooled their money (which we didn't have much of) and bought him a second hand typerwriter. We knew he would be as good a journalist as he was a Marine and we wanted to show our respect for him.

I recommend this book for all who have served in the Military,
those who love history, and those who just like a good story about a real life hero.

Captain Clif Cormier was my Battery Commander, at Hotel Battery 3rd. Battalion 10th Marines when I was a young 2nd Lt. in 1959. I found him to be an outstanding leader, firm but fair with those who served under him.

I was fortunate to recieve one of his books directly from Captain Cormier and am ordering 2 more for my children to read. It is a story of what it was like growing up in the depression and being a Marine through World War II, Korea, the peacetime Marines and what opportunities retirement can bring.

When Captain Cormier retired, his officers pooled their money (which we didn't have much of) and bought him a second hand typerwriter. We knew he would be as good a journalist as he was a Marine and we wanted to show our respect for him.

I recommend this book for all who have served in the Military,
those who love history, and those who just like a good story about a real life hero.

I found the book to be very entertaining and although I doubt it was written to be informative, it actually was. I found myself becoming a part of the plot not long into the book. I sincerely hope the author has more to come.

There aren't too many "men" writers these days, and that's disappointing. Anyone who has ever read The Sun Also Rises could never forget the emotional depths Hemingway painted when Jake and Bill shed the constraints of city life to fish together in the mountain streams of Pamplona. In that scene, Hemingway simply showed readers the honest cores of two regular men, but what emerged was one of the most graceful passages in all of classic literature.

Where Hemingway left off, Gordon Hutchinson continues in The Quest and the Quarry. Two award-winning short stories form the basis of this novel, which brings readers into the life of a Mississippi farming and hunting family, and exposes them to the simple pleasures of camaraderie, family, and freedom from the constraints of city living.

The tale begins with a story of an old man's quiet wisdom, elegant in its simplicity, decisive in its certainty. From there it expands, introducing readers to a Southern family and describing the family's longstanding relationship with its farmland. The straightforward dignity of the lifestyle quickly entrances the reader, which is the ultimate purpose of the story. As the tale progresses, the family faces down joy and adversity in the backwoods. The men hunt, farm, and enjoy each other's company in a uniquely male way. There's drinking, card games, practical jokes-and true friendship. Meanwhile, the bonds between them-and between them and the reader-grow. It's almost as though by bringing the reader along with the family, Hutchinson slowly permits the family to accept the reader.

And Hutchinson is a gifted storyteller. With an incisive eye for detail, he conveys all the little aspects of the hunt-from the bitter cold of hunting in the pre-dawn rain to the vivid tastes of the food made at camp-that are necessary for a reader to truly experience it. In so doing, he makes this story accessible to all readers; you need not have any hunting experience, or even like the idea of hunting, to appreciate his message. He changes perspectives at crucial points in the story, allowing it to evolve naturally while providing an overarching perspective of this family's way of life. He writes with a light touch and a steady, patient rhythm that bespeaks the deep-set values embodied by the book's family. His dialogue rings true and conveys a dialect that is at times hilarious, while at others, deeply touching. Further, he empathizes with all of his characters, showing an incredible ability to see from others' perspectives, including-amazingly-that of the hunted deer. His tones are always well matched to the events taking place, easily shifting from mischievous, during moments of carefree revelry, to deep melancholy, as the central tragedies occur.

The dominant theme is simply the raw emotions men feel as they face the challenges of life, some self-imposed, others thrust upon them. Hutchinson expertly and honestly conveys these emotions. He seamlessly juxtaposes the thrill of the hunt and the deep, bitter regret of killing animals as majestic as deer. He captures outsiders' desires for acceptance by an admired group. He also describes the deep longing to control one's own destiny, as well as the concomitant joy when aspects of that control are wrenched from nature and society. Subtle is his expression of a simple yet powerful desire to be a good person-to conform to the example of one's idol, and to properly love a woman-as well as the despair men experience when they fear that they are failing. Finally, he conveys an old man's patient confidence that strong family bonds will always carry the day, able to heal even the deepest of wounds.

What emerges is exactly what Hutchinson aims for: the case for a simpler life, where the values of older generations survive in younger ones. Boys (and a girl) learn to lead a character-driven life by watching the men they admire simply be men. The sometimes cruel whims of nature temper men's characters, while also cultivating bonds in ways that a more plush lifestyle simply cannot. Although many of us will never even begin to experience this reality, simply reading the book reminds us of the things we are missing, and perhaps the values we should strive for in our own ways. And although a very "male" book, The Quest and the Quarry seems to have many women fans, who express gratitude at being given such an honest look at what happens when men let their guard down. In this time of "academic thrillers" and false memoirs, Hutchinson takes us back to an era of classic literature that has fallen by the wayside. I would recommend that anyone looking for a good nighttime read not hesitate to order a copy. You'll be all the better for it.

Being the mother of four sons and coming from a family of small-game hunters, I was looking for a book that would introduce my youngest son to the world of big-game hunters. We got that and much more. This book speaks of a time in old, gallant south when men were men and boys wanted to be those men.

I've known deer hunters, but I never realized all that is involved in getting inside the mind of a deer. Hutchinson takes us with ease and realism from the mind of the hunter to the mind of the deer. His writing is akin to a beautiful ballet of the woods, where the dance ends victoriously for either the prey or the predator while weaving the lifelike drama of southern realism throughout.

My son and I know more about deer and deer hunting than we did before, but we got our education while glimpsing the lives of possibly a time gone by. It is my deep hope that Hutchinson will reach in his bag of short stories and pull together another great book that will take us as deep into another realm of the forgotten south.

I must say, when first opening the novel The Quest and the Quarry by Gordon Hutchinson, I was skeptical. I am not a hunter, and the only experience I have had involving the hunt consisted of a single hunting trip where I fired a rifle only once at an unmoving metal can. After reading a review by Alan Clemons, where he thanks Hutchinson for "taking [him] to [his] own beginnings of deer hunting with [his] father," I wondered if I would be able to connect to the characters as well as someone who had these memories to fall back on. Once beginning the novel, however, I discovered that you don't need your own hunting memories to borrow the vivid and moving tales Hutchinson so generously lends and make them your own. The story unfolds expertly, following the lives and experiences of several members of a rural Mississippi family. The point of view changes throughout the novel, allowing a broad look into the lives of all the characters, each connected by the strongest bond of all - family strength. This novel is about hunting, filling the mind with the excitement and thrill involved in winning a trophy buck while on horseback after weeks of preparation, but it also delves deeper than the mere passion of the hunt itself. Encompassing a tale of a young boy growing into a wise "old timer", Hutchinson reveals the true story hidden in the excitement of the hunt. The lessons taught to young chaps by their fathers and grandfathers as they learn to fire rifles and ride horses are innumerable and irreplaceable. With chapters that will make you cry, chapters that will make you laugh out loud, and chapters that will make you do both at once, The Quest and the Quarry brings the strength that belongs to this rural Mississippi family to life. I am a city girl with a country heart, and this novel brought me in and gave me the privilege of becoming a part of this remarkable, strong and cohesive family.