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grogro's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
zach_collins's review against another edition
5.0
The Southern United States is difficult. We are backwards yokels who still delude ourselves with the legend of the genteel Southerner, that the Civil War was fought over states' rights, that we are righteous before God and man.
Wilcox's wonderfully awkward hero, the man-child Mr. Pickens, tries his best to find love and respect within his painfully podunk town. But unlike the jokes many Northerners tell, none of the characters are stupid or cruel. They are earnestly, yet ignorantly, pursuing their dreams. They are not crude caricatures, but lovingly rendered portraits of us as we act in our most ridiculous moments, during our most human intervals.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy Southern literature (William Faulkner, Flannery O'Conner). Not recommended for those who prefer Southern fairy tales (Margaret Mitchell, Stark Young).
Wilcox's wonderfully awkward hero, the man-child Mr. Pickens, tries his best to find love and respect within his painfully podunk town. But unlike the jokes many Northerners tell, none of the characters are stupid or cruel. They are earnestly, yet ignorantly, pursuing their dreams. They are not crude caricatures, but lovingly rendered portraits of us as we act in our most ridiculous moments, during our most human intervals.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy Southern literature (William Faulkner, Flannery O'Conner). Not recommended for those who prefer Southern fairy tales (Margaret Mitchell, Stark Young).
rocketiza's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. There's a lot of hype around this book/author that seems pretty unwarranted.
elaineruss's review against another edition
4.0
Subtle, humorous and just a great little book. Will definitely be reading more by James Wilcox if they're all as clever as this.
joh17's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Enjoyable, funny and sweet-hearted. As much as Mr. Pickens is a foolish, arrogant protagonist, I came to rather love him. Could say the same thing about most of the characters we meet. His portrayal of a community in small town America is rather wonderful, and the sending up of Donna Lee’s patronising attitude towards her fellow Tula Springs inhabitants is hilarious.
imsophiedavies's review against another edition
4.0
Modern Baptists is a comic satire set in Tula Springs, Louisiana. We follow Mr Bobby Pickens, a middle-aged bachelor diagnosed with malignant cancer, through a chain of unfortunate events riddled with social faux pas, as he allows his drug-dealing ex-con of a brother, FX, to move into the family home. Modern Baptists is subtle and off-beat, the plot is charming and amusing although, at times, tinged with sadness. I absolutely adored this book and the good old Mr Pickens.
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
4.0
Quite a good read. Similar author to Steinbeck in the way that he writes about the dreamy southern American life
halfmanhalfbook's review
4.0
Quite a good read. Similar author to Steinbeck in the way that he writes about the dreamy southern American life
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