A novel that has drawn comparisons with the work of J. D. Salinger, Truman Capote, and Flannery O’Connor, Edisto centers on one Simons Everson Manigault, a twelve-year-old possessed of a vocabulary and sophistication way beyond his years and a preadolescent bewilderment with the behavior of adults. These include his mother, who is known as the Duchess, and his enigmatic father-surrogate, Taurus. Imbued with a strong sense of place—an isolated strip of South Carolina coast called Edisto—Padgett Powell’s novel is “truly remarkable . . . both as a narrative and in its extraordinary use of language” (Walker Percy).
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"'Truly remarkable... both as a narrative and in its extraordinary use of language. It reminds one of The Catcher in the Rye, but it's better-sharper, funnier, and more poignant' (Walker Percy) 'A remarkable book... there is not a line that simply slides by; each, in one way or another, turns things to a fresh and unexpected angle. There are splendid things said' (Richard Eder, Los Angeles Times) 'Sly, pungent, lyric, funny, and unlikely to be forgotten' (R. Z. Sheppard, Time)"
--This text refers to an alternate
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About the Author
Padgett Powell’s most recent novel is Mrs. Hollingsworth’s Men.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
nothing could be finer...,
By A Customer
This review is from: Edisto: A Novel (Paperback)
than this darling jewel of a book! Having actually been on Edisto, and around Simon's age, in the early 70's, I can say PP has captured the place's essence and lyricism of the times. It is laugh-out-loud funny in places, and the characters interesting but the unique style of writing itself is so enjoyable: his economy is remarkable. For example, the only physical description of one of the main characters is this: "he was as shimmery as an islander's god, and solid as a butcher". And yet he paints so vivid a picture of the man, solely through action and dialogue. This is a warm, thoroughly entertaining, thoroughly unique story, with great writing. Full of wit and heart in equal measure. Pretty soon you'll be peppering your talk with unique words and phrases, and be up on the social cache inherent in being a "double Jenkins" in Charleston, but don't let it "hyper you out".
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautifully told coming-of-age story,
By
This review is from: Edisto: A Novel (Paperback)
Padgett Powell has succeeded where so many other authors have failed... he writes from the point of view of a young boy, Simons Manigault, with ease and skill. Many times, when a story is told from the point of view of a child, it comes off as hokey, even fake. And even if it is good, it can rarely be maintained for an entire full-length novel. Powell can do it. Simons is a classic character, young and naive, yet inquisitive to the world of crazyness around him. I heard somewhere that this might become a movie... please do not! Why ruin a great thing? Funny, poignant, and thoughtful... this book must not be passed over!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice work,
By Carper (Europe) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Edisto: A Novel (Paperback)
This is a funny and sophisticated coming-of-age story. The author has an impressive command of both dialogue and unusual and telling descriptions. Simons is a remarkable, unusual, and alive boy-man. The story sparkles with youthful enthusiasm in spite of its sophistication, and despite its irony never lapses into easy cynicism. Highly recommended.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
I'm in Bluffton on a truancy spree, cutting, we call it, but all you do is walk off the unfenced yard during recess, where three hundred hunched-over kids are shooting marbles. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Hilton Head, Baby Grand, Diane Parker, New York, Cooper Boyd, Boy Act, Margaret Pinckney Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
I'm in Bluffton on a truancy spree, cutting, we call it, but all you do is walk off the unfenced yard during recess, where three hundred hunched-over kids are shooting marbles. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Hilton Head, Baby Grand, Diane Parker, New York, Cooper Boyd, Boy Act, Margaret Pinckney Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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