Customer Reviews

The Sweet-Scented Manuscript

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While the subject of Tito Perdue's "The Sweet-Scented Manuscript" (a country boy experiencing the world for the first time when he arrives at college) may not seem unique or special, it is in Perdue's deft manipulations of the novel's language that this artistic effort really shines. Perdue doesn't dumb anything down - rather, he exhibits an efficiency with words that gently demands that the reader pay full attention to the prose. Often, books like this can get bogged down in their own aesthetic self-importance, but Perdue sidesteps such problems with ease. Practically every sentence is phrased in such a refreshing manner that I found myself smiling while reading this book - not because of the situations or characters (though the characters are highly individual and fascinating throughout), but because of the playfulness of a sentence or the intricacy of a turn of phrase.

It is a shame that Tito Perdue has remained out of the mainstream for so long - this is his fourth published novel, and it reflects a capable and poetic wordsmith. I recommend this novel to anyone interested in having a fresh and compelling reading experience.

This book tells of a young man going off to college and what happens to him there. It describes the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a young man's first impressions of the world outside of Alabama. This could be considered a 'coming of age' in the 50-60's story, but through the magic of Perdue's prose, it is also much more. The descriptions of the world seen through Lee Pefley's eyes are unique, more beautiful and more ugly than you had realized, but they are instantly recognizable. The Lee Pefley character in this book is innocent, but learning, not yet angry and frustrated as in the later Lee Pefley books. The characters are real and their interactions true and amusing. This is a beautiful and entertaining book and I think anyone would enjoy it, even if not familiar with Perdue's other books. I think I've been reading these books out of sequence. This should be the first book in the Lee Pefley series, then New Austerities, where Leland is middle-aged, then Lee, where he is an old man, and finally Fields of Asphodel, where Lee is dead. I agree with the previous reviewer: it's a shame this book hasn't received more attention.The New Austerities Lee Fields of Asphodel Opportunities in Alabama Agriculture: A Novel

The Sweet Scented Manuscript caught me unawares, I thought Mr. Perdue had given up writing since fewer people are reading these days. After all, most novels nowadays are hacked out with the hope that a Hollywood producer will take notice and pick up the movie rights. That will not happen in the Lee series for two reasons. First, because Lee Pefley is his own man, and has definite notions about what's what. And second because producers only take notice of comic books. Lee might best be described as a dinosaur in the Era of Louthood.

I must assume that there is a hint of autobiography in these novels, and Manuscript describes how Lee met his bride. The setting alterantes between Ohio and Chicago, with school and work in the former, and romance in the Big Shouldered City. It's Lee's attitude to work that fascinates me because he does absolutely nothing to please his bosses as if daring them to sack him. He's always trying to find out which will be the last straw. I can't live like that, but wish I could tell my toady bosses where to get off. It seems that most firings take place due to "lack of chemistry" rather than employee incompetence.

I have never met Mr. Perdue, but I did meet his neighbor once in Montgomery AL in a rally to support Judge Roy Moore. The young man seemed surprised to find somebody familiar with his work.

This is Tito Perdue's most accessible book to a general audience. All his books are exceptional, but are pretty deep. This is just a great semi-autobiographical story of a young Alabama farm boy leaving for college and running into the beatnik lifestyle and life in the big city. Wonderfully written and his descriptions of the gritty underside of the city, as well as campus life and love, are remarkable. This one is highly recommended.