Best of the South: From the Second Decade of New Stories from the South

I enjoyed the book except for some of the language, F--- this and that (in just a few stories). I thought the south was the last enclave of a more ... refined writing

I purchased this book for a college course and found the stories generally enjoyable. I'm an English major and read a fair amount of fiction, some of which is lacking, and this is definitely a decent read. One story in particular, Faith Healer by Lucia Nevai, was one I found deeply affecting. In my long history of reading powerful and emotional novels I've become teary eyed one or twice at most but after reading Faith Healer I found myself completely in tears. I don't completely know why but I absolutely loved the story.

The South is responsible for the birth of blues, jazz, rock and roll, and a myriad of other American cultural staples. Yet, most often it is portrayed in books and movies as a backwards place filled with Beverly Hillbillies rejects and racist. That is why Best of The South is such a welcome and refreshing collection. In this collection there are tales that highlight many aspects of southern life. FLA. Boys is a story of lost innocence that may have never existed and is a true heartbreaker. Birdland is one of my favorite short stories bar none. It is a look at the regionalism of the south, the way others view the south, tradition, and how southerners view their selves. William Gay also lends a powerful and heart wrenching story, Those Deep Elm Brown's Ferry Blues, about dealing with parent's suffering with Alzheimer's. Those are just a few of the gems that make this a sparkling anthology of literature. That they show the true depth and breadth of southern life, intellect, and art only serves as polish on already shining gold.

Each year, I look forward to Algonquin's Best Stories of the South. To have the best of the best all in one book is a treat. Some of my favorite stories reside in these pages. "Memorial Day" is one of my ALL TIME favorite short stories. If you enjoy the short story form--and appreciate the Southern voice in its varied and rich tones, then this should be a staple on your bookshelf.