South and West

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This compelling book is deeply rooted in a past that feels lost yet remains timely and relevant. It showcases the author's sparkling prose through meticulous detail, juxtaposition, and compression, blending sentence fragments, description, and insight. Originally penned in the 1970s as diaries, these writings emerge now, reflecting the tension between California and the South over the nation's soul. The work reveals how this conflict plays out, offering insights into America's future that may surpass contemporary news. The author’s unfiltered observations capture the essence of American mythologies, revealing a yearning for an idealized heritage that feels increasingly precarious. The narrative includes vivid scenes, from casual conversations at a motel pool to searching for Faulkner's grave, illustrating the thrill of discovering one's rich subjects. The notes articulate feelings, atmosphere, and social undercurrents with precision, exposing hypocrisy and injustice while shimmering with dark implications. This slender volume is a treasure for avid readers and those intrigued by the writing process, filled with sharp-eyed observations that linger in the mind, haunted by a past that never seems distant.