Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter
Tom Franklin
October 2010
247 pages
Published by HarperCollins
********************
I admit it, I bought this book for the title. The epigraph will explain why:
M, I, crooked letter, crooked letter, I, crooked letter, crooked letter, I, humpback, humpback, I.
-How southern children are taught to spell Mississippi
You can add to that, grandchildren of southerners, since my grandmother (who was born in and lived in Mississippi until her 30s) taught me that handy little trick. Of course, when you try to explain it to Californians, they all look at you like you’re crazy (or crazier than normal).
I have mixed thoughts about this book. Some of the things I liked about it are personal. For example, my father was born in Meridian, a city that is mentioned often, although never visited. And the constant prompting to say “yes sir/no sir” is another huge reminder of my father. He was constantly saying “that’s no sir to you” to both me and my brother when we were growing up. It didn’t stick.
This book is getting lots of fab reviews, but I’ll admit the story didn’t do much for me. It’s not that it was bad…it wasn’t, at all. But I had my suspicions about what was going to happen, and it turns out my suspicions were right, so there wasn’t much mystery. And the dialogue takes some getting used to, especially that of the stereotypical redneck southern men who like to drink and insult black men (and yes, I’m talking around the use of a particularly offensive word). I’m not saying that isn’t how they talked…I know full well that’s how they talked, because my grandfather was like that. And I’m also not saying that I want books to be all politically correct…I’m just saying that it can be jarring to see. This is why I’m also having a hard time listening to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, even if it is narrated by Elijah Wood. Racial slurs make me cringe, even if they are meant to be an integral part of the story.
Anyhoosie, back to the title. Not only does it represent the state the book is set in, and all of its ugly history, it’s also indicative of the small town of Chabot, where the novel is set. The town is a crooked place…it’s one of those small towns with no future.
Set against this depressing backdrop, the story centers on Silas, the black constable who recently returned to town, and Larry, a white misfit mechanic who, although never arrested, has long been suspected in the disappearance of a young girl, back when they all were in high school. And when another young girl goes missing, Scary Larry is once again the focus of local suspicion.
Silas and Larry’s interwoven stories slowly unfold, as the author takes us back and forth through time. However, I think the mystery is really secondary, as the focus is really on small town Mississippi, with all of its past prejudices that still affect the present.
If nothing else, this book made me very grateful that my grandparents left rural Mississippi to eventually settle in California.
I am so on the fence about this book, and though I do want to read it, there are just some things that I think would make me really uncomfortable about it. I can totally understand the reservations you had about the book, and am sure that I would feel much the same way. Thanks for your honest and insightful thoughts on this book.
Hmmm… I started reading this on my nook back when I had like 10 books going at once so I never finished it. I only read a little, really, but had the same sort of feeling — that it was good but not stunning like everyone said. I did find myself curious about the past between Silas and Larry though. Maybe I’ll finish it one of these days.
Dude, I am not Californian (Canadian!), but I have no idea how that little mnemonic would help you learn how to spell Mississippi! It seems to me like soooo much more work, especially since saying “Crooked Letter” and “humpback” are both so much longer than “S” or “P”! Also, I don’t get how “P” = humpback. I’ve had a friend from Arkansas try to explain it to me, but I’m not buying!
Steph´s last [type] ..“Luka and the Fire of Life” by Salman Rushdie
I admit, the only reason I want to read this book is for the title, because in South Carolina that’s how we learned to spell Mississippi too. Jason thinks I’m insane.
I won the audio version of the book during Readathon, though I’ve yet to get it. Sigh.
I agree with you that the mystery is only secondary, but I was very impressed with this book and liked it a lot, even though I too cringe at racial epithets.
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Review of “Far North” by Marcel Theroux
Wait, that teaching of to spell Mississippi is exclusive to the South?? I thought it was a universal thing, because it’s the only trick I’ve ever heard! I’m going to have to take a survey in my office…
Kari´s last [type] ..When Kafka was the rage and West Village real estate was cheap
This novel sounds very interesting to me, though I wish Mississippi were associated with something, in the popular imagination,l besides racism.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Jennifer Haigh- Dennis LaToya- John Green- and Zombie Awesomeness
Your dad’s from Meridian? I used to live there. Carl and I both know the crooked letter spelling, but Vance never learned it, and he’s lived in the South most of his life, so maybe it’s a thing of the past. I’m looking forward to the book, but you’ve tempered my expectations.
And I’m sure the state of Mississippi will be hiring you to do PR for them!
Jenners´s last [type] ..SM5S Review- The Ex-Boyfriend’s Handbook by Matt Dunn
What a way to learn a spelling! Interesting, and even more interesting title.
Veens´s last [type] ..Faithful by Kim Cash Tate
I am completely baffled that the “crooked letter, crooked letter” thing is supposedly southern-only. I have never even BEEN to the south (New England foreverzz) but I learned this as a kid. IT IS A MYSTERY.
Cass´s last [type] ..My Bookshelf
I read a chapter or two of this one before I moved and never picked it back up. I may get back to it, but I’m not in a huge hurry.
On another note, Elijah Wood narrates The Adventures of Huck Finn?? Nice!
Erin´s last [type] ..Thoughts on “Burning Valley” by Phillip Bonosky
The epigraph would draw me in as well… never heard of the crooked letter, crooked letter thing before…!
Coffee and a Book Chick´s last [type] ..Daphne du Mauriers Classics of the Macabre
Oh, no! I’m reading this right now and am enjoying it. I really like Larry and Silas’ characters so far. I’m just under half way done. I’ll let you know what I think.
No book is for everyone, though and you’ve got to stay true to yourself. Thanks for being you.
P.S. I don’t have such pleasant memories of spelling Mississippi. I got snookered by some dumb boys in religion class when they asked me if I could spell it backwards. You can imagine the howls of laughter there were at my expense. Bastards all!
Literate Housewife´s last [type] ..289 The Scent of Rain and Lightning
I still have this one on the maybe list. As for the spelling help, isn’t it just easier to say the letters?
Trisha´s last [type] ..Graphic Myths
We learned to spell Mississippi in sort of a singsongy voice using all letters. Midwesterners don’t fool around. Anyway, I haven’t been drawn to the book at all. I don’t know why, since the mystery part and the southern part would normally win me over. I don’t even have a copy of it (or I don’t *think* I have a copy).
Beth F´s last [type] ..Thankfully Reading Weekend- Getting Started