Many of my co-workers and friends have mentioned Lee Smith over the years as an English Instructor in the state of North Carolina. I had never heard of her, though, and simply allowed their recommendations to go in one ear and out the other. Several years ago, we had Lee Smith at our CEI Conference (Conference of English Instructors). My colleagues were quite excited to have her there. I was oblivious. I still had never read any of her works and, honestly, had no real desire to do so--even though she gave everyone on the CEI board (of which I am a member) an autographed copy of one of her books, BLACK MOUNTAIN BREAKDOWN. (No, I haven't read it yet.)
My co-workers were appalled that I had never read anything by Lee Smith, so one of them loaned me a copy of FAMILY LINEN. I have had it for at least 3 years. I finally decided that I needed to read it so I can give it back to my co-worker. I always try to read books that are loaned to me--even if I personally have no interest in the book or author.
So then the question is, I suppose, did I like FAMILY LINEN? That honestly is not an easy question to answer. I didn't hate or dislike it. I didn't love it, either. As a Southern novel, it certainly has everything to delight those who enjoy the Southern genre. There is even a really GOOD story that made me, as the reader, want to keep reading.
I did not like the foul language or the fact that everyone was having an affair and acted as if that was the way of life for a Southerner.
Anyway, I think I will go ahead and read BLACK MOUNTAIN BREAKDOWN and see if I like the works of Lee Smith more with that one.
Lee Smith truly knows how to weave a tale. There is no denying that she is a masterful storyteller. I honestly could read her stories all day. MRS. DARCY AND THE BLUE-EYED STRANGER is a book of short stories by Lee Smith, so know going in that it is NOT a novel. I, for one, really love the short story. I think that the short story is a lost art in the world today, so it is refreshing to read a book full of wonderful short stories! I can't possibly pick one to say it's my favorite. There are great qualities to each and every story. Smith's stories focus mostly on women as the main characters and/or as the narrators of her stories. Many women will more than likely relate quite easily to the women in these stories.
My only complaint (please don't be mad, Lee!) is the portrayal of people of faith (religion) in Lee Smith's stories. I guess her stories are more realistic than I am aware of and it's that part that disappoints me--not Lee Smith's storytelling. As a woman of faith myself, I don't like to see people "play" at religion or to take it lightly or to show it in any way negative. It's probably my own personal perspective that makes me see many of the religiously focused stories in a negative light rather than it actually being that way.
I know that I live in a fantasy world in so many ways. I've joked with my students when we talk about such things that I want to live in my fantasy world and they should let me live here. I LIKE believing that all the young women I know are "perfect" little virgin angels--and the young men, too. That they don't do drugs, drink alcohol, or disrespect their parents. I am fully aware of my fantasy world being exactly THAT--a Fantasy.
Just let me live in it, ok?! ;)
