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leannanecdote's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Chronic illness, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Racial slurs, Animal death, Classism, Car accident, Racism, and Violence
david_brent's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
The tone sort of reminds me of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but set in Texas, Mexico, and Belize and without the hardcore drugs. Parts are funny, but mostly it kind of drags and I'm not sure what the point is. It definitely didn't hold my attention, and I was glad to be done with this book when I reached the (anti-climatic) ending.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Addiction, and Alcohol
doramac's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
ben_r's review
3.0
3.5 stars for Portis and "The Dog of the South", the author of "True Grit", who creates a humorous tale of a man in search of his car and the wife who stole it.
erboe501's review
5.0
Because Charles Portis is my dad's favorite author, there are multiple copies and editions of all of Portis's novels in our house. Everyone who has read Portis raves about him. An editor at my internship is something of a Portis scholar. Many would say that Portis is the best writer to ever come out of my home state, Arkansas. In other words, my reading of this book has been a long time coming.
I should've picked up Portis sooner. He's funny. And insightful. And unapologetic. He's a master of creating characters that you don't know what to think of--because they're frustrating and eccentric and often vain--but you also could imagine running into on the street. They're fully realized in their quirks and quips.
This extends to THE DOG OF THE SOUTH's protagonist, Ray Midge. He's kind of a loser, but not for lack of intelligence or trying. Portis's deft use of exclamation points in Midge's internal dialogue is one of the best things about this book, in my opinion. In a world where exclamation points are relegated to overuse in text messages by teen girls, Portis uses the exclamatory sentence in a way that captures Midge's earnestness and naïveté.
From this novel's incredible opening line, you will be hooked. Trust me. Don't wait as long as I did.
I should've picked up Portis sooner. He's funny. And insightful. And unapologetic. He's a master of creating characters that you don't know what to think of--because they're frustrating and eccentric and often vain--but you also could imagine running into on the street. They're fully realized in their quirks and quips.
This extends to THE DOG OF THE SOUTH's protagonist, Ray Midge. He's kind of a loser, but not for lack of intelligence or trying. Portis's deft use of exclamation points in Midge's internal dialogue is one of the best things about this book, in my opinion. In a world where exclamation points are relegated to overuse in text messages by teen girls, Portis uses the exclamatory sentence in a way that captures Midge's earnestness and naïveté.
From this novel's incredible opening line, you will be hooked. Trust me. Don't wait as long as I did.
veep23's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
andy87's review against another edition
2.0
Having loved True Grit, I was excited to read another Portis novel. I did not enjoy this one. It is similar in style to Hunter S Thompson, but for me less enjoyable. A few good laughs and reads like an American time capsule, but the racial slurs are horrible to read in 2023 and at times the book was boring. Will still likely try another Portis.
henslow's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0