Edisto: A Novel [Paperback]

Padgett Powell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1985

Padgett Powell has received the Prix de Rome of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a Whiting Writer`s Award, and a nomination for the National Book Award. He teaches in Gainesville, Florida, where he was born in 1952. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, Harper`s, and many other periodicals.
Simons Everson Manigault ("You say it `Simmons.` I`m a rare one-m Simons") lives with his mother, an eccentric professor (known as the Duchess), on an isolated and undeveloped strip of South Carolina coast. Convinced that her son can be a writer of genius, the Duchess has immersed Simons in the literary classics since birth ("Like some kids swat mobiles, I was to thumb pages") and has given him free rein to gather materials in such spots as the Baby Grand, a local black nightclub. ("It was an assignment. I`m supposed to write. I`m supposed to get good at it.")

Although possessed of a vocabulary and sophistication beyond his years, Simons feels the normal adolescent bewilderment about the behavior of his parents. His conventional father, the Progenitor, has recently left the family in a dispute over Simon`s upbringing and has moved to nearby Hilton Head, where he would like to see his son raised among the orthodox surroundings of condominiums, country clubs, and private schools. At the book`s center is Taurus, an enigmatic father-surrogate who tutors the boy in the art of watching the world without presumption.

Edisto is, as Walker Percy observed, "a truly remarkable first novel, 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."
"When asked for a list of the best American writers of the younger generation, I invariably put the name of Padgett Powell at the top."—Saul Bellow

"[This] is distinctly a tour de force... I found myself increasingly charmed by the book`s wit and impressed by its originality. Some turn of phrase, some flash of humor, some freshly observed detail, some accurately rendered perception of a child`s pain or a child`s amazement transfigures nearly every page. Powell`s ear is acute: one of the pleasures of the book is his ability to catch the nuances of Southern speech, whether it is the malicious conversation of the Doctor`s academic colleagues at a cocktail party or the genial banter of country folks at the fishing pier."—The New York Review of Books

"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 Book Review

"Simons Manigault is brother to all literary adolescents—Mailer`s D.J., Salinger`s Holden Caufield, Joyce`s Stephen Dedalus... Edisto is a sparkling read, so full of an energetic intelligence, inventiveness, love of language, and love of people... Padgett Powell is an extravagantly talented writer."—Ron Loewinsohn, The New York Times Book Review

"Edisto is a startling book, full of new sights, sounds, and ways if feeling. Mr. Powell weaves wonderful tapestries from ordinary speech; his people, black and white, whether speaking to each other or past each other, tells us things that we never heard before. The book is subtle, daring, and brilliant."—Donald Barthelme

"Sly, pungent, lyric, funny, and unlikely to be forgotten."—R. Z. Sheppard, Time

"Powell creates a language that captures rhythms and reflections that are at once original and true."—Peter S. Prescott, Newsweek

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'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 Paperback edition.

About the Author

Ian X. Byrne is a retired professor of mathematics and Professor Emeritus of Norwich University. He lives in rural Vermont in a 150-year-old farmhouse with his faithful Golden Retriever and four loyal cats. For twenty-five years he directed an early music ensemble, the while composing music in the style of the Renaissance. He also writes fantasies about the Iroquois of long ago. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (April 15, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805013709
• ISBN-13: 978-0805013702
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #700,128 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars nothing could be finer..., September 6, 2000

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, December 8, 1999

By 

Neil N. Trivedi "ntfool" (Brookyln, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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, October 4, 2000

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.