The Optimist's Daughter cover art

The Optimist's Daughter

Pulitzer Prize Winner

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About this listen

 This Pulitzer Prize–winning novel tells the story of Laurel McKelva Hand, a young woman who has left the South and returns, years later, to New Orleans, where her father is dying. After his death, she and her silly young stepmother go back still farther, to the small Mississippi town where she grew up. Along in the old house, Laurel finally comes to an understanding of the past, herself, and her parents. Classics Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Small Town & Rural
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I sought out Eudora Welty on the advice of Ann Patchett (thanks Ann) and this in particular, as it was her late career Pulitzer winning novel (novella)!
Like other non Americans I found the authors own thick accent and sticky ‘older’ voice difficult to understand at first, but I persevered and my ear eventually attuned itself. I am glad that i did because Weltys own voice is so aligned with the story’s time and place that I feel certain it added colour and nuance.
It is a beautifully written piece, almost like poetry, and her ability to illuminate moments is startling. I was there.
Its really a novella rather than a fully fledged novel, its narrative is slight, any denouement even slighter. But what she chooses to gaze upon, she truly sees and her ability to describe her people in that moment is moving and authentic.

Southern gothic with the accent on the Southern

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Great Writer she is so descriptive in her beautiful style. Listen to her fantastic and heartwarming narration.
I could listen to her voice forever
The stories are fascinating and the pace is superb.
Highly recommended to any reader of literature.

Eudora Welty

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I persevered until chapter 4 then abandoned it. Had to keep replaying to make out what had been said and found I had to over-concentrate to listen. Having a strong accent of this sort may be acceptable for listeners from north America but not for those from elsewhere. So annoyed to have wasted my money on this!

Too difficult to make out speech

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I do not write reviews, ever. But everything in this book, from story to narrator was apallingly bad. No wonder it was free. Just garbage. Total utter garbage

Total garbage

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