Southern Sin: True Stories of the Sultry South and Women Behaving Badly
Editors: Lee Gutkind and Beth Ann Fennelly
Paperback: 350 pages
Publisher: In Fact Books (March 18, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1937163105
ISBN-13: 978-1937163105
Summary:
In the steamy South, temptation is as wild and plentiful as kudzu.
Whether the sin in question is skinny-dipping or becoming an unlikely porn star, running rum or renting out a room to a pair of exhibitionistic adulterers, in these true stories women defy tradition and forge their own paths through life—often learning unexpected lessons from the experience.
As Dorothy Allison writes in her introduction, “The most dangerous stories are the true ones, the ones we hesitate to tell, the adventures laden with fear or shame or the relentless pull of regret. Some of those are about things that we are secretly deeply proud to have done.”
A diverse array of contributors—mothers, daughters, sisters, best friends, fiancées, divorcees, professors, poets, lifeguards-in-training, lapsed Baptists, tipsy debutantes, middle-aged lesbians—lend their voices to this collection. Introspective and abashed, joyous and triumphant (but almost never apologetic), they remind us that sin, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
Review:
Let me be upfront and tell you that I am a tried and true Yankee. My experience with southern sin is limited to several readings of Gone with the Wind and a college boyfriend who hailed from the great state of Georgia. So let me just say, "Goodness gracious." The heat and humidity must do something to these people!
True, there are several hot and heavy essays on sin of the sexual nature but don't assume this is an anthology of erotica. The surprising part of this anthology is that explores so many other facets of sin. Gluttony, envy, coveting your neighbor's husband. Sin in past centuries, just considering the possibility of sin, the joy of sin, catching a glimpse of another's sin.
Southern Sin contains twenty-three essays that run the gamut of less than virtuous behavior. You'll find yourself rushing through the pages, wondering what's next. But aside from giving you a bit of vicarious thrill at witnessing all this misbehaving, Southern Sin will make you think. What is sin? Is there a universal definition? Is sin different for each person? Considering sin and doing sin...where is the line? Is it a sin to make people feel guilty for the joy they find in life? It's a fascinating subject to consider.
Where to Find More Southern Sin:
https://www.creativenonfiction.org/books/southern-sin
*****BOOK GIVEAWAY*****
One luck reader will win a copy of the anthology Southern Sin. Just enter the Rafflecopter form below to be entered in the drawing.
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Jodi Webb is still toiling away at her writing in between a full-time job, a full-time family and work as a blog tour manager for WOW-Women on Writing. Right now she's looking for blogs to promote Sue William Silverman's memoir The Pat Boone Fan Club and Barbara Barth's debut novel The Danger with Words. You can contact her at jodi@wow-womenonwriting.com. For Jodi's take on reading and writing (no 'rithmetic please!) stop by her blog Words by Webb.
12 comments:
So excited about this book I've ordered my own copy with two day delivery! Love anthologies. Am from the south (well born in NY, raised in Florida, and moved to Georgia in my twenties, my first taste of the real south.) Looks like a great read! So glad to have found it here!
This sounds great, I'm stoked to hear from so many different southern ladies with their take on what might be considered sinful. Southern gals are the best! (just a personal opinion). Thanks.
I love how Jodi describes that it will make you think about what sin actually is. This sounds fascinating. Thanks for the review!
Looks and sounds like a great read! Being from the south this one is a must read!
Southern Sin is the best. I take mine with a tall glass of iced tea.
Lovely giveaway! Wonderful review!
Lovely giveaway! Wonderful review!
Great review and giveaway. Hope to read soon!
I read every chance I get. Its one of my fave hobbies :)
Summer is here. I will need great books for reading at the beach. This will fit the bill.
Great Giveaway! Thanks so much for the chance :)
I am from the South. I always enjoy reading books about the South.
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