Customer Reviews

The Creek

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this trip back to an era not- so- long- ago when Florida was still a frontier. Marjorie Kinan Rawlings had already enchanted us with her lyrical descriptions of Cross Creek. J.T. Glisson was part of that scene, and now he tells about the Creek from his own experience.

Glisson gives an entirely different perspective from the one that Rawlings painted. While it's not as lyrical, it's far more penetrating into the ways and mores of the cracker community. You'll find yourself laughing out loud at any number of places -- not in derision, but with heartfelt sympathy. The relationship between the game wardens and the cracker fishermen is a classic!

By the end of the book Glisson had so drawn me into the cracker world, that I was on the verge of tears as he described the demise of the Cross Creek community. I didn't want the book to end.

No one on the planet is a bigger Rawlings fan than me. But THE CREEK is better reading than CROSS CREEK. And the writing is a wee bit better than Rawlings. This book is going in my Floridiana collection.

J. T. Glisson grew up next door to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings in this small central Florida community. This book of stories from his childhood provides a great context for learning about Cross Creek, and fans of M. K. Rawlings will find lots of insight into her place in the community. Glisson, himself, is a fine writer. He has great insights into life in Cross Creek, and his commentary provides a good understanding of some of the contemporary values and mores that continue to shape Florida's culture. There are also some interesting subtexts in the book. For example, Glisson affectionately gives the scoop on Rawlings. He modestly provides some specific references to himself in her writing, but after reading this work, I'm convinced that the character Jody in _The Yearling_ is modeled to a great degree after Glisson. He is also very funny. More than a few of the stories had me laughing outloud.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves Florida, loves a simpler way of life, or loves Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Mr. Glisson paints a beautiful picture -- both literally and figuratively (his watercolors illustrate the book). This is one of those books that makes a great gift for native Floridians. A true treasure.

The Creek is a delightful look at rural FL in the years prior to and shortly after World War II. If you have already read Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' Cross Creek, The Creek will provide additional information and entertainment, as well as give you the added perspective of a native whose family and father in particular were featured prominently in Cross Creek the book. I found the book thoroughly entertaining and a worthwhile read. It along with Cross Creek is a must read for anyone with an interest in North Central FL.

For those of us old enough to remember the South before theme parks, interstates, and air conditioning this book revives many wonderful and a few not so wonderful memories. J.T. Glisson brings that period of Florida history alive with his vivid descriptions and wonderful stories. Very well written with the distinctive outlook and perspective of a true Florida Cracker. Enjoyed every page of this very entertaining book.

I recently spent a weekend it Micanopy on my anniversary, and visited Cross Creek. I had read Rawling's book and enjoyed it and it was nice to visit the place I had read about. While in Micanopy I saw Glissons book and took it home. What a great example of native Floridian history.Now i'm planning another trip back to Cross Creek to put Glisson's book in perspective. Maybe they should give out copies to all tranplants as they enter Florida on I-75!!!

If you want to know what Florida was like until just a few years ago this is the book. Great reading and stories about real people and places. Although Cross Creek has not changed a lot it is just a matter of time. This book is one of the last ways to see the original Florida and the people who settled there before the modern roads and air conditioners.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves Florida, loves a simpler way of life, or loves Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Mr. Glisson paints a beautiful picture -- both literally and figuratively (his watercolors illustrate the book). This is one of those books that makes a great gift for native Floridians. A true treasure.

I agree with reviewer Johnson that The Creek by J.T. Glisson is better than Cross Creek by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and that is saying something because Cross Creek is a good book. Reading this book made me wish I grew up there in the Glisson family. Watch out Waltons there's a Florida family to give you some competition especially Glisson's dad.

Chapter Eleven "Fishermen and Game Wardens" had me riveted as the action unfolded on a dark night of community-powered (slightly illegal) fish catching with seine nets. Any child (especially boys) would love to read this chapter or have it read to them by a teacher or parent who wanted to excite them into the love of reading.

I can also highly recommend visiting Cross Creek and stopping at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home, now a Florida State Park, to see what a home, homestead, garden and barn looked like at that time. It is preserved exactly as she lived there in the 1930's-40's down to her car parked in the carport, a yellow beauty. The Glisson home was a stones throw away but is in private ownership.

The town of Micanopy is nearby to stop for lunch, a delightful old-time Florida downtown. The whole area is filled with real nice people not in a hurry and who make you welcome.

Buy this book, it's a great read.