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A review by jordantheune
The Prince of Frogtown by Rick Bragg
3.0
If you're any sort of communications major at the University of Alabama, then you've heard of Rick Bragg. And, if you're like me, you've had a couple of classes with his wife. My interest in listening to the audiobook for The Prince of Frogtown--I will admit--was solely because of my respect and admiration for his wife. Dianne Bragg is a strong and feisty woman, and I suppose you would have to be to marry Rick. I will say that I never would have put these two together, but it obviously must work for them. Another interest I had was in the location of events. Rick came from the Jacksonville/Piedmont area, which is an area in which I am familiar (I live in Fort Payne, AL).
I digress.
This book had two story lines: the story of Rick's father and the story of Rick's stepson. It may come as no surprise that I was more interested in the stepson story line. Learning about Rick's past--about the family from which he came--was eye-opening. He came from a world I don't recognize. He dealt with an upbringing that was insecure and potentially dangerous. It's no wonder that Rick became the gruff man that he appears to be today. I felt sorry for him--for his family--for having a childhood that was messy; it was everything my childhood was not.
Listening to the stepson side of the story continually surprised me. I could not imagine Dianne Bragg marrying this man. I could not imagine Dianne Bragg letting this man be her son's stepfather. I truly was thrown for a loop. I can tell that the longer the relationship went on, the softer Rick became toward Dianne's son, but it was a rough beginning for sure.
Overall, I thought the book was interesting enough, but by no means did I think it was amazing. I thought that some of the expressions used were a little cheesy--almost as if such speech was added to give a more "southern" aspect. Additionally, I felt that many of the quotes used in reference to his father were somewhat forced. At times it reminded me of those awkward (and, again, forced) moments when writing a college essay, when you have to embed quotes into your writing.
I digress.
This book had two story lines: the story of Rick's father and the story of Rick's stepson. It may come as no surprise that I was more interested in the stepson story line. Learning about Rick's past--about the family from which he came--was eye-opening. He came from a world I don't recognize. He dealt with an upbringing that was insecure and potentially dangerous. It's no wonder that Rick became the gruff man that he appears to be today. I felt sorry for him--for his family--for having a childhood that was messy; it was everything my childhood was not.
Listening to the stepson side of the story continually surprised me. I could not imagine Dianne Bragg marrying this man. I could not imagine Dianne Bragg letting this man be her son's stepfather. I truly was thrown for a loop. I can tell that the longer the relationship went on, the softer Rick became toward Dianne's son, but it was a rough beginning for sure.
Overall, I thought the book was interesting enough, but by no means did I think it was amazing. I thought that some of the expressions used were a little cheesy--almost as if such speech was added to give a more "southern" aspect. Additionally, I felt that many of the quotes used in reference to his father were somewhat forced. At times it reminded me of those awkward (and, again, forced) moments when writing a college essay, when you have to embed quotes into your writing.