The Literature of the South

There is something about the literature of the South which has long fascinated me. I read Margaret Mitchell's masterpiece when I was fourteen and fell in love with it,  but have since discovered writers such as Pat Conroy, author of Prince of Tides, The Great Santini, The Water is Wide, Beach Music amongst others. I am currently reading South Of Broad,  his latest work as a matter of fact.  His descriptions of the Carolinas and his beloved Charleston as tickled my imagination for a long time.

I have since decided to spend my next big holiday in North and South Carolina. I have always wanted to visit the Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras. This time I will not be spending a lot of time in the cities but hopefully visiting a few more National Parks, the coastline and the Smokey Mountains.  I am also wanting to sample some of the famous Southern Cuisine.  I admit it, I have seen the Food Network channel on Sky !  I can make a mean blueberry pie, that's about it.

Here are a few links worth a visit :

http://www.outerbanks.org

http://patconroy.com

http://www.cruiseamerica.com

There are many authors out there whose work I greatly admire. And some not at all from the South and some not even American.  Hopefully it won't be too long till I dedicate a post to one my favourite writers of postmodernism, the genius Paul Auster. But since this is a post about the Literature of the South I will not digress now as I often do. Sorry about that !

The lyricism of the prose poetry of Pat Conroy 's writings and his acute intimate portrayal of human relationships have made me a loyal fan of his work.  I do not want to finish South of Broad, as I do not want it to end. Always the sign of a great book and a gifted writer. So here is a toast to you Mr. Pat Conroy and many happy years of writing and thrilling your fans. 

Note: Do you know any good Southern writers you would recommend? Let me know.