The Optimist’s Daughter
Eudora Welty
1972
192 pages
This is one of those books that I don’t regret reading, was mildly entertained by, but was also glad that it was so short. Because if it had been any longer that first sentence would most likely have been very different.
So I’ve never read any Eudora Welty, and I can’t honestly say why I decided to, other than I was in one of those moods while walking through Barnes and Noble (and hey, FTC, there’s your disclosure!). You know the mood…looking for something different, willing to expand your reading horizons…and before you know it, you’re reading Eudora Welty. No? Maybe it’s just me.
Which brings us to The Optimist’s Daughter, a short little book filled with odd characters and set in a Southern town. Laurel returns home to accompany her father, Judge McKelva, to the doctor, and stays for his surgery and recovery, and then his funeral. Throughout all of this, she is forced to deal with her young (and clueless) step-mother, Fay. Although Welty’s characters would never say it, it is heavily implied that Fay is poor white trash. She is brash and rude and has no sense of McKelva tradition. And, what’s more, she doesn’t care. In addition to the trying Fay, Laurel also has to deal with the neighbors and family friends, most of whom are interfering busybodies (not that they would see themselves that way.
This novel captures small-town life beautifully, and it is also a monument to a fading way of life, where manners and grace and tradition are held in high esteem. Throughout the story, Laurel comes to terms with the end of her family, as she comes to accept that as Fay replaced her mother, so will Fay allow the family history and her father’s legacy to die. Laurel no longer has a place in her family home, and she can only move forward, while keeping her memories alive in her heart and mind.
Oh… I’ve been waiting all week to see what you’d say about this! Last weekend, something possessed me to read Welty and I chose the short story “Why I Live at the P.O.” (no trip to B&N and that was all I had at home). I really liked it and have been wondering which novel to try. Thanks for helping me decide!
JoAnn´s last blog ..To The Lighthouse… trip delayed
I’ve picked up some interesting books at the bookstore the same way. Although, not Eudora Welty. I’m not sure I’ve come across her name while browsing before. At least, not that I remember. I’ll have to keep my eye out for this one.
Literary Feline´s last blog ..It Takes a Village: A Guest Post by Author Misa Ramirez (BronzeWord Latino Book Tour)
I love that cover!
Word Lily´s last blog ..Words from my reading
I am not a huge impulse shopper like that (except in the bargain bins or used bookstores), but I would probably pick up Welty if I saw her and the story interested me. I’ve heard enough about her to feel safe doing so. Plus if it’s so nice and short…
Aarti´s last blog ..Review: Blankets
Eudora Welty…hmmm…what an interesting choice. I haven’t yet read this work, but it’s been on my radar for a while. I love interspersing my big reads with shorter, classic stuff…not sure why. Probably because it gives me the false impression that I am reading “classics” whilst taking a break from the chunksters, LOL.
Michele @ Reader’s Respite´s last blog ..Remembering Salinger….
I’ve never read anything by this author, but it really does sound like a great story. Thanks 4 blogging about it!
diane´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday – Private Life
I haven’t read any Welty either, but kind of feel like she’s an author I should try. I’ve been in the mood for “quiet fiction” this year, so she may be an author I do finally hit up in 2010.
And kudos to you for being so adventurous in the bookstore. I generally only do so in the used bookstore because the prices are so cheap!
Steph´s last blog ..“The Bookshop” by Penelope Fitzgerald
I love your story of how you came to read this book. Sounds like you need to be supervised on future trips … or you’ll wake up in an alley clutching a copy of something by George Eliot.
Jenners´s last blog ..Show Me 5 Saturday: "Black Out" by Lisa Unger
I feel ya on the walking around the book store, coming home with random authors.
This sounds like it would be a beautiful story, but I think it would stress me out. I like traditions! I don’t want to see them die!
She´s last blog ..The Unfinished Angel – Sharon Creech
lol, I love your description of how you ended up reading Eudora Welty. I read this and The Robber Bridegroom right one after the other, and the contrast surprised me. The latter is a fairy tale-esque romp, which I enjoyed very very much. I enjoyed this as well, but I see what you mean about holding the past in high esteem.
Nymeth´s last blog ..Blankets by Craig Thompson
I haven’t read this one, but I really like Welty.
Beth F´s last blog ..Let the BLOB Game Begin!
I snagged this one at the used book store awhile back, and I think it even made the cut when I boxed up a bunch of stuff to go to storage. I love a slim classic (thank you, waning attention span!).
Andi´s last blog ..Article: "The Man in the Glass House"
It’s so funny to me that you refer to the characters as odd. When I read this book, I recognized the characters in people I know. Of course, I’ve lived in a small Southern town my whole life. I guess we are odd
I’ve been intending to read Eudora Welty since high school. I can’t decide between Delta Wedding and The Collected Stories Of…I guess whichever I can get my hands on first!
Kari´s last blog ..Chunkster: Dodgy history
I read this one a long long time ago, college maybe? probably?, and remember thinking it was a good thing it was over when it was.
Lisa´s last blog ..3. Free For All by Don Borchert
I’ve read a couple of Welty’s short stories and I really liked the actual stories but the dialect in some of them nearly drove me mad.
Joanne´s last blog ..TLC Book Tour ♦ The Cougar Club by Susan McBride