Lovesick

Lovesick is a panoply of Southern love stories gone awry, with each of the four novellas offering tragedy, comedy, unusual twists, and yet evoking Southern traditions while turning them on their heads simultaneously. I’m a dark Southern lit junkie and had just read Harry Crews’ A Feast of Snakes before picking up Lovesick, and the two seem to complement each other. A Feast of Snakes (and Harry Crews in general) is often characterized as “grit lit,” whereas Lovesick is Southern gothic with an injection of Shakespearean tragedy.The first novella, “Butcher, the Baker,” is about a master chef who is forced to work various low-wage jobs cooking plain foods on the railroad and at the Volunteers of America relief house. His talents as a cook seem to rival even Edna Lewis’—look her up if you haven’t—and yet, due to a life of poverty, some jail time, and persistent racism in the South, the reality of living his dream of owning his own bakery continually evades him. The characterization in this story, as in all the others, is amazing. I don’t want to give anything away, so you’ll have to read the rest yourself!The second novella, “The Brambles,” is another beautiful story about two older sisters living together, despite their warring personalities. The characters seem like brainchildren of Flannery O’Connor, while also reminding me of Grey Gardens and the way family members can control and hold each other back. The novella interweaves gorgeously with all of the other stories as well.The third novella, “Sandra and the Snake Handlers,” might have been my favorite. I can’t think of many stories with a lone protagonist that succeed in building such suspense. Driggers manages to weave a fascinating, intricate world out of this woman’s loneliness. It’s also interesting the way the novella blends so many of the South’s strange qualities—like snake handling, sexual repression, and hypocritical Christians—into an unusual and gripping narrative.The fourth novella, “M.R. Vale,” gives this collection its final breath and grace. It is the only story in the collection with a first-person narrative, lending it an extra sense of urgency and intimacy. To me it is the most tragic. It completes the “lovesick” theme—a theme demonstrated by devotion to craft, lust, and mourning throughout the book. I can’t wait to read more of Driggers’ lit!

This book gives the reader a collection of Novellas that are both alluring and tragic. The yearning the the characters have for a love that is out of their reach is truly is both captivating and heartbreaking. All of the stories provide a peak into the very human feelings of love, rejection, and the sadness felt when you realize that what you love the most is out of your reach forever and no amount of trying or scheming will bring you closer to what you really want. Love truly has its "price to pay". Of all the stories, I loved Butcher, the Baker. I can relate with using cooking and baking as an escape even if it is just for the moment. I think the saddest part of the story is the fact that Butcher no longer wants to cook in the end; the ability to create a beautiful dish when everything around you is chaotic transports you into a bubble of peacefulness even if it is only for a moment. It is about being able to create something beautiful when you feel anything but. If you are looking for a great awesome read this summer, I would highly recommend this book. I dare say there will be a character in this book you will be able to relate to.

Each of the four novellas that make up this book take place in the lowlands of South Carolina around the fictitious town of Morris. Within each story is an unholy pact, drawn up in the name of love but with greed at its heart. Beginning in the 1930's with Butcher the Baker, each story advances about two decades with sly references to those preceding, revealing small town life in all its secrecy. Lovely writing, fine characterizations.

I just finished _Lovesick_ and am sad that it's over! What a wonderful collection of short pieces centered around Southern identity, religious extremes, betrayal, and our collective human failings and triumphs. "Sandra and the Snake Handlers" I will never forget; Driggers' ability to describe life's injustices is heartbreaking and true. Can't wait for the next book.

Very good book, the author captured the Carolina southern culture of the time period with typical characters of that era. Had some Alfred Hitchcock type twists to the stories. Could not put it down till I finished each story.

It was a great read. Page by page just keep turning.

I just finished reading Lovesick, and it is absolutely fantastic! It is a must-read for anyone who loves Southern Gothic. I thought each of the four novelettes were beautifully written and well developed, with dark and captivating plots. I could not put the book down!As someone born and raised in the South, I thought the author did a great job of presenting the unsavory aspects of Southern history and culture in a direct but unapologetic way. I have found that other books in the Southern Gothic genre tend to tiptoe around issues of race, gender, sexuality and religion, so it was refreshing to see these presented on the forefront.

It was a great book with several novellas. I can't wait for his next book. I have shared it with many friends.