Percy-L: Literary, Religious, Scientific, and Philosophical Discussion of Walker Percy

["Greg Taylor" <gorent AT nts-online.net>]

Rhonda:

 

I'd echo Nikki's suggestion concerning the Foote novels but my favorite is Jordan County - a Falkneresque fictional history that follows seven generations in a Miss. town. Jordan County and Follow Me Down are gripping reads. However, you can also find the American Mercury edition of Stars in Their Courses. This is a 290 page "book" which excerpts Foote's chapter concerning the Gettysburg campaign from the massive narrative. I believe that Foote's evenhanded and inspired treatment of the material about Gettysburg is much superior to Michael Shaara'a The Killer Angels (which seems to have grabbed the public imagination - not to mention the History Channel - over the past 10 years). If you only have time to read a small portion of Foote on the Civil War then Stars in Their Courses will fit the bill.

-----Original Message-----
From: percy-l-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:percy-l-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of RHONDA MCDONNELL
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 4:51 AM
To: percy-l
Subject: [percy-l] (no subject)

Here's a question for all who are well-read.  I've been reading the letters between Percy and Foote and I got to thinking that I've only read SHILOH and chunks of the CIVIL WAR trilogy.  After reading the letters, I'd like to get a start on Foote, but, since I've limited time (okay, none . . . perhaps I'm avoiding writing my dss. for a few days), I'm looking for some recommendations.  What do you all think is the best of Foote?  Is it the history or one of the novels?