If you enjoy modern literature, you owe it to yourself to become familiar with the work of Mississippian writer Larry Brown. Brown is a recent, and rather recently deceased, fixture of Southern American lit whose work honestly, unflinchingly and quite beautifully paints life in the north Mississippi sticks.

Author of six novels, two short story collections an autobiography and a book of essays, Brown was the winner of the Southern Book Award for Fiction twice, once for his novelJoe and once for his novelFather and Son.

A few days ago I finished Joe, and with it, the minor two-part epic of the Jones family. Joe is the eponymous story of Joe Ransom, a divorced, middle aged ex-con from Mississippi. Joe is irascible but dependable, picking fights and drinking in the early morning before leading his group of tree killers through the woods to clear land for a large corporation. Joe meets 15 year-old Gary Jones and hires him to help clear the trees near Gary’s ramshackle home.

Gary is the hard working son of the drunken Wade Jones. A no account migrant worker who I’ve heard referred to as one of the great literary villains in recent memory, Wade would rather drink than work or support his family and spends his time lying, stealing and killing his way to his next drink to the detriment of his wife, two girls, and son. Gary gives his all to support his family, acting more in a far more responsible manner than his father.

Joe takes a liking to the young Jones boy, hearing from a friend and witnessing first-hand Wade’s atrocious acts. Eventually Joe finds that he can no longer sit idly by, intervening after discovering Wade’s most horrible acts.

Fay is the story of Gary’s older sister who leaves family’s old log house midway through the events of Joe. Seventeen year-old Fay is on her own has three dollars and a few cigarettes when the narrative begins, immediately after her exit from the prior novel. She’s naive, never having seen a seat belt or Bugs Bunny, and she seems desperate for a strong male love interest to protect her despite knowing little of sex other than rumors of what another girl did naked in the bushes with boys.

I’m hesitant to say more about Fay. Nine years of literary growth on Brown’s part imbue Fay with a greater breadth, lusher description and a more harrowing plot than Joe, which tends to be relatively uneventful and predictably alternates chapters between the story of Joe and that of Gary. The events in Fay evolve more dramatically and there are more sympathetic characters.

In one humble blogger’s opinion, Fay is the superior novel. That’s not to say that Joe isn’t good it just says that Fay is exceptional. Brown’s Mississippi is a lush environment of hard drinkers, dog fights, strip clubs, beautiful scenery and believable characters.

Amazon links:

Joe

Fay