Idgie Says:
I recently attended the Mississippi Book Festival and had the fine opportunity to hear a panel of authors speaking about their input in this book. After listening to Michael Farris Smith, William Boyle, Mary Miller, RaShell Smith-Spears and John M. Floyd speak about their contributions to this anthology, I immediately hunted down a review copy to share with you.
The book contains 16 stories, ranging from 2-1/2 pages to full chapter size. Jamie Paige has a great little short on a possibly psychotic "not so dream" date. Megan Abbott's story is about love that goes all sorts of wrong. John M. Floyd shares a creepy roadside tale with a delightfully twisty ending. Michael Farris Smith's story left me hanging and desperately wanting more. All these stories drag you in and don't let go until the last sentence.
Anthologies are great in the fact that you can pick one up and read an entire story in one sitting, then put it down until you find a few more moments in your busy day for another tale. Perfect for today's overly hectic world. They also provide a nice sampling of authors that you may not be familiar with, but soon realize you need to know more about.
I highly recommend this book.
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Mississippi Noir
Akashic Books
August 2, 2016
Description
Akashic Books continues its groundbreaking series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. Each story is set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the geographic area of the book.
Brand-new stories by: Ace Atkins, William Boyle, Megan Abbott, Jack Pendarvis, Dominiqua Dickey, Michael Kardos, Jamie Paige, Jimmy Cajoleas, Chris Offutt, Michael Farris Smith, Andrew Paul, Lee Durkee, Robert Busby, John M. Floyd, RaShell R. Smith-Spears, and Mary Miller.
From the introduction by Tom Franklin:
“Welcome to Mississippi, where a recent poll shows we have the most corrupt government in the United States. Where we are first in infant mortality, childhood obesity, childhood diabetes, teenage pregnancy, adult obesity, adult diabetes. We also have the highest poverty rate in the country. And, curiously, the highest concentration of kick-ass writers in the country too. Okay, maybe that’s not a Gallup poll–certified statistic, but we do have more than our fair share of Pulitzers and even a Nobel . . . I could go on, and in fact I do, in this very anthology . . .
Here are sixteen stories from seasoned noir writers like Ace Atkins and Megan Abbott as well as Mississippi’s new generation of noirists, authors like William Boyle and Michael Kardos. You’ll also find unknown, first-time-published writers like Dominiqua Dickey and Jimmy Cajoleas, who won’t remain unknown for long. I’m thrilled to bring these writers to you. In Alabama, where I grew up, we had a saying: Thank God for Mississippi, otherwise we’d be at the bottom in everything.
Welcome to the bottom.”
Click Here to listen to taped interview with editor Tom Franklin for Mississippi Edition. (go to Page and Click on Book Club recording - 4th one down)
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