Customer Reviews

Brighten the Corner Where You Are: A Novel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fred Chappell is one of contemporary American literature's true magicians. Not a trickster now. His is an honest magic wrought from imagination, intelligence, humor, and an unsurpassed linguisitc gift.

BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE gives us ample evidence of this legerdemain. It is the second part of Chappell's quartet of novels involving Jess Kirkman and his indominatible family in the mountains of western North Carolina. Whereas the first novel, I AIM ONE OF YOU FOREVER, focuses on the boy Jess, this second book concerns his father, Joe Robert, schoolteacher, storyteller, scientist, prankster, and eternal child at heart whose guiding principle is a "priority of delight"

The novel's "plot", such as it is, centers on one day in Joe Robert's life - and it is quite an eventful day! He chases the notorious "devil-possum" - a figment of his wild imagination- up a tree to impress his buddies, only to encounter a real life panther which sends Joe Robert tumbling to scrapes and bruises. He saves a little girl from drowning. He coaxes a recalcitrant goat off the school roof. And he faces the school board, with expulsion a real possibility, for his unapologetic teaching of Darwin.

These set pieces allow for much humor in the good old Southern Applalachian tall tale tradition of Joel Chandler Harris, George Washington Harris, and William Gilmore Simms. Yet more importantly they draw an indelible portrait of a good man, a bit times too childish perhaps, but with the proper animating spirit of life.

This is a marvelous novel by a marvelous writer.

Readers of Chappell's previous book I Am One of You Forever will be charmed and delighted with Brighten the Corner Where You Are. It records a very magical day in the life of Jess' father Joe Robert, a school teacher in rural North Carolina of the 1940s. From his mysterious encounter while possum hunting to his rescue of a little girl from drowning to his revealing conversation with a goat on the school-house roof, Brighten the Corner Where You Are is a very funny, wise and warm book sure to brighten any reader's corner

Fred Chappell's *Brighten the Corner Where You Are* is the second offering in the "Jess Series", preceeded by *I Am One Of You Forever*. The story is narrated by Jess, and covers one extraordinary day in the life of Joe Robert Kirkman, farmer, country school teacher, incorrigible cut-up, and father of Jess. In the course of the day, Joe Robert climbs a tall poplar tree in the dark and there encounters the incarnation of his own lie, rescues a drowning girl, teaches a couple of remarkable classes, debates a goat, and makes various discoveries about the students and faculty of the school where he teaches. Characters and settings from the first book make appearances in the second, providing much needed continuity. I say "much needed" because the Joe Robert in *Brighten* bears so little resemblence to the Joe Robert in *Forever* that the reader may not believe that it is the same character. Perhaps it's simply a matter of emphasis and character development, a stage-setting for the final book in the trilogy. But, I was somewhat disappointed through much of the book. The story seems almost forced, trying to match the absolutely amazing subtlety and poingnancy of *Forever*. Though the story does finally resolve, the steps to the catharsis are ambiguous. However, when the resolution does occur, it does so with all the magic and charm of *I Am One Of You Forever*. But, getting to the resolution becomes a little tedious. I think the main problem with the story is that Joe Robert comes off as just a little too perfect, just too nice a guy to be believable.
The story has all the elements of great Southern literature; quirky characters, emphasis on the human connection to nature, mysticism, family, religion, and that most prominent of Southern traits, a profound understanding of death. To see how a truly skillful author handles these themes is reason enough to read the book. The italicized chapters of the book are truly poetic, and naturally so, as Mr. Chappell is an excellent poet.
Do read *Brighten the Corner Where You Are*, if only to complete the trilogy. But, read it with the hope that the third book in the series will be better.

It's been ages since I've read such a well-written, humorous yet
deeply felt novel. Here's a high school teacher who's wise and caring, a part of his North Carolina rural community without being
condescending toward his less educated neighbors. The funny scenes
rise naturally and easily from the main plot during this one day.
The satirical and serious sections likewise flow smoothly as the
day's action moves on. Chappell's novel also makes a wonderful
gift for those who tire of depressing or violent stories.

Fred Chappell, once again, spins a tall, quirky Southern tale about Joe Robert Kirkman, told from the memory of his son, Jess. As others have amply detailed, the story starts with some mighty fine storytelling by the four members of the Crazy Creek Wildlife Appreciation Committee and continues through one mishap after another for our teacher-comic, Joe, concluding with an epiphany worthy of Joyce.

Joe resigns from teaching (what a loss for the students!), knowing that life's calling him back to his farm and family, without giving clear direction. No problem, his new-found and newly delineated faith will guide him, and we understand that his faith remains unbounded by "traditional religion."

I cherish the vignettes he crafts, especially his rooftop exchange with Bacchus, the goat; his mystical chat with the janitor; his interview with Dora Stoner (curious name for the fifty-something journalist); and his concluding connection with Janie Forbes, the not-so-secretly married student who's given herself completely to being a doting wife and mother. Oh, hell, I could mention about every scene and sequence of this gift of a book.

What a marvelous and touchingly wise writer we have in Chappell. As I've written before (reviewing "I am One of You, Forever), he's masterful, poetic, and funny. His tales offer pure golden delight -- creamy, rich treats -- like homemade ice cream.

I will read and savor the next two books in his homespun tetralogy about the Kirkmans and Tipton, North Carolina. Thank God for these generous offerings. My only regret is that I'm unable to share a couple beers with this exquisite author; if only I could kick back and listen to him spin a few yarns -- what a treat that would be!

Brighten the Corner Where You Are is the most uplifting novel I have read in a long time. The simple magic found in ever aspect of Joe Robert Kirkman's life is truly captivating. By the time I finished reading how Joe Robert captured the moon, I was hooked!

I love this book. It is as beautifully and strongly structured as a spider web, and yet also as lightly.

fred chappell's "brighten the corner where you are," was a very good book, but the reason i gave it 3 stars is i didnt like the ending!