Poor Man's Provence: Finding Myself in Cajun Louisiana [Hardcover]

Rheta Grimsley Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

These days, much is labeled Cajun that is not, and the popularity of the unique culture's food, songs, and dance has been a mixed blessing. Poor Man's Provence helps define what's what through lively characters and stories. The book is both a personal odyssey and good reporting, a travelogue and a memoir, funny and frank.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

According to newspaper columnist Johnson, life in Cajun Country, deep in the heart of Southeast Louisiana, is "the opposite of live and let live; it's more like mind my business and I'll mind yours." In this largely winning read, Johnson does exactly that with the residents of her adopted, beloved Bayou home, Henderson, La. Her distinct perspective, that of an accepted neighbor who's still considered an outsider, drives this observational memoir. Travel readers will enjoy chucklesome details-a town with about five surnames, Henderson's phone book "is the only one... I know of to use nicknames in its listings"-but Johnson's news background proves both blessing and curse. On one hand, she's a fearless reporter, but her profiles too often cut short just when they're getting good. She touches on the poverty, racism and other troubles (like hurricanes), but doesn't probe in much depth, effectively reducing some of her friends and neighbors to two-dimensional ciphers. Where she does achieve a more nuanced portrait, readers will find a wonderful, personal look into a Cajun community.
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Review

Poor Man's Provence is a rich examination of a colorful, cultural state. -- The Daily Advertiser

Rheta Grimsley Johnson hooks her readers with tale after tale of holidays and home cooking in paradise. -- First Draft

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: NewSouth Books (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588382184
• ISBN-13: 978-1588382184
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #724,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sincerity, Humor and Humanity Abound, March 5, 2008

By 

Tony Fish (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poor Man's Provence: Finding Myself in Cajun Louisiana (Hardcover)

Somewhat like the wonderful nonfiction works of Least Heat Moon's "Blue Highways" and Raban's "Passage to Juneau", only better, much better. Like those two travel novels, "Poor Man's Provence", entertains with unique true anecdotes and historical facts about the down home exotic people and places of the Acadiana ("Cajun") Country, Louisiana. Woven into the colorful quilt of her writing, Rheta Grimsley Johnson also gives us wicked irony, Twain like humor and a little subtle, sincere, simple human philosophy. Unlike "Blue Highways" and "Passage to Juneau", "Poor Man's Provence" is not a travelogue, but instead represents ten years of learning and loving the gentle folks of Cajun Louisiana. It's a great book to read if you think that you will ever want to see this part of the American South, and it's still plenty entertaining even if you just want to get to know the natives vicariously. If there is any justice in such things, this must read book should win lots of awards.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her love shines, February 28, 2008

By 

Martin "orangelamp" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poor Man's Provence: Finding Myself in Cajun Louisiana (Hardcover)

All ethnic groups have their on distinct qualities and because of this most are completely misunderstood. Cajuns are no exception. I know when I was a kid I wanted be black. I truly didn't understand why then, but over the years thinking back I know it was because of the sense of pride that most of my black friends had. Ms. Johnson has tapped in to the Cajun pride. She conveys with humor and humility the love they have for their land and family, as well for others not of their ethnicity. Her love for them shines brightly. I love this book and highly recommend it to all.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poor Man's Provence, May 26, 2008

By 

Jacques A. Mistrot "jmistrot" (Denver) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Poor Man's Provence: Finding Myself in Cajun Louisiana (Hardcover)

Poor Man's Provence: - Having a fair amount of familiarity with the area and people, I'd say Mrs. Grimsley wrote as good of a memoir of this part of Louisiana as any. Whether one is familiar with the area of not, it would be worth reading it ahead of time to get the most of the visit to Cajun Country. From beginning to end I felt like I knew the central figures in this non-fictional memoir, Johnelle & Jennette, and they didn't disapoint. The place is crawling with people like them and it'll please and even surprise them all to know a transplant appreciates them for just being themselves. Whether the writer, Miss Rheta(as locals would call her), intended it or not, she and Don are now a part of Cajun's lives forever and we're all grateful for her memoir and presence.