Southern fiction

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.