A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor
Published by Faber & Faber, 2019 (first published in 1953)
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
This offering from the Faber Stories range follows a family as they set off on a road trip across the American South. When they run into trouble, the man they flag down for help just happens to be an escaped convict.
Once you get passed the few instances of uncomfortably outdated language in here, it’s a fantastic short story. The characters feel well established (especially the wonderfully haughty grandmother); the dynamic between them clear from the off despite the story’s brevity. O’Conner utilises striking imagery to employ a heavy dose of foreshadowing and dark humour. Added to the sweltering heat of the southern setting, this makes for a fantastic sense of mounting tension as we head towards an inevitably tragic and brutal conclusion.
Its narrative is impactful in and of itself, but there are interesting undercurrents of religion and morality that add depth well worth mulling over. A great introduction to O’Connor’s work!
You can pick up a copy of A Good Man is Hard to Find from Book Depository by clicking here.
***
Vertigo & Ghost by Fiona Benson
Published by Jonathan Cape, 2019
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Benson’s impassioned collection of poetry draws on mythology to explore the perils of womanhood in a toxic masculine society. The first section places Zeus in the modern world, a serial abuser full of brazen self-importance. In these pieces, Benson fuses the personal with the historical to show how sex is weaponised, victims demonised, and oppressors excused. In the second section, the poet shifts her attention to motherhood, exploring the physical and mental strain of pregnancy, birth, and caring for a child. The themes of both sections coalesce in the closing pieces, in which Benson muses on the simmering panic of raising daughters in a world still unsafe for girls; the horror of modern warfare reflected in the war on women’s bodies and autonomy.
Benson’s use of imagery is bold and impactful. There is depth and nuance to explore in the language she employs, but the meaning behind her words always shines through with punch. As such, I think this is the kind of collection that has something to offer both relative newcomers and seasoned poetry readers alike. I, for one, will certainly be reading more of Benson’s work.
You can pick up a copy of Vertigo & Ghost from Book Depository by clicking here.
***
Let’s connect: Twitter | Goodreads | Support me on Ko-fi
Callum McLaughlin 
The only thing I don’t like about “A Good Man is Hard to Find” is the way college professor assign the story and ask students to explore a theme the Prof sees in the story that the student may not agree with at all. I saw that many times and was perplexed by why a teacher would limit a student’s thinking by deciding for her. I have a complete collection of O’Connor’s stories and plan to read it this year!
It’s arguable that that’s the case with many stories, sadly. Most studied texts have a somewhat ‘standard’ interpretation that guides the lessons/discussions. I’ve seen lots of memes and jokes about teachers seeing far more in a book than even the writer did, let alone the readers, lol.
But yes, with something as open to interpretation as A Good Man is Hard to Find, independent analysis should be encouraged!
I’d definitely like to try more of O’Connor’s work at some point as well, so I hope you enjoy the collection, and will keep an eye out for your thoughts 😊
I’ve read a few of her other stories, though I can’t remember the titles. She wrote a number of what could be considered very long short stories, or very short novellas. They’re always SO dark.
Ooh, sounds intriguing! I love a novella, and I love when an author explores the dark side of humanity (without glorifying it, of course). Definitely an author I need to explore more of 😊
But they’re always dark and religious, so if religious stories that are extremist (not a good look for religion) bother you, then stick with Shirley Jackson! If you love stories like that, also check out Brian Evenson’s collection Altmann’s Tongue. It got him fired as a professor at Brigham Young.
I do love Jackson, so I’ll be reading more of her work too, for sure! I don’t mind reading about extremist religion if it’s being explored or critiqued, but if it’s being presented as a good idea… somewhat less so.
I get more of a Children-of-the-Corn vibe from O’Connor’s works that include religion! 🌽🔪
Vertigo & Ghost sounds like something I need to read immediately!
YES! I think you could really love it. And with what’s going on in the US at the moment, it has sadly become even more relevant.
These both sound really good! I’ll definitely be reading A Good Man is Hard to Find in the near future, and I may have to add the poetry collection to my TBR also, as its themes and the mythological angle sound wonderful. Great reviews!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy both if and when you get to them 😊
Pingback: May Wrap Up | Callum McLaughlin