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A Short History of a Small Place
 
 
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A Short History of a Small Place (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: tattooed painter, pigeon fiasco, bungalow patio, Miss Pettigrew, Aunt Willa, Miss Sissy (more...)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An absolute stunner . . . In a small place in North Carolina, Pearson has found the stuff of life." -- The Washington Post Book World

"Anyone from anywhere should feel a fond familiarity with the citizens of Neely." -- The New York Times Book Review

Review

"An absolute stunner . . . In a small place in North Carolina, Pearson has found the stuff of life." (The Washington Post Book World)

"Anyone from anywhere should feel a fond familiarity with the citizens of Neely." (The New York Times Book Review)

Product Details

  • Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (September 30, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 014200362X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0142003626
  • Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #646,289 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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T. R. Pearson
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars delightful humor and honesty ........, January 25, 2003
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This is a beautiful Southern novel that moves at it's own pace to paint a picture of a small town populated by unique individuals. It is told through the eyes and ears of a young boy, Louis Benfield. There is no pretense to the tale Louis passes on to the reader, merely a child relaying what he has heard being said between adults or to him by an adult. The naivete and the simple artless manner that Louis passes on the information he has heard in conversations is the key to this delightful tale. The stories all center at some point on Miss Myra Angelique, who was the beloved sister of the former Mayor.
The stories each take on a life of their own, but eventually find their way back to Miss Myra Angelique. This book is full of wonderful Southern sayings and "wisdom" that will leave you laughing at their simplicity and homespun quality. There is however an underlying complexity to this wisdom that weaves it's way into the Southern tale. T.R. Pearson leaves no stone unturned, even delving into the realities of prejudice and intolerance, not with any judgement involved, but as a part of the history of the town of Neely observed and interpretted through Louis's young eyes, heart and soul. T.R. Pearson can truly join the ranks of the true, great Southern writers. He portrays the Southern culture with delightful humor and honesty that evokes thoughtfulness and deliberation on the true meaning of the tale that has been carefully crafted with a casual feel.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite American novels, December 5, 2001
"A Short History of a Small Place" is on my personal list of ten best American novels. Mr. Pearson is a Southern story-teller to the bone, interrupting himself, digressing, supplying minute detail, but always focusing on the main thread of the story, always evoking a sense of place, and always, always depicting characters whose eccentricities are both endearing and defining.

I first became acquainted with Mr. Pearson and this, his first-published work, in the mid '80s when I was living in North Carolina and heard this novel read on a radio program, a medium which suited it perfectly, given Mr. Pearson's conversational style. Soon after, I read it for myself, and have since reread it in entirety and in part, enjoying it even more with each new visit.

Through the eyes of young Louis Benfield, who though apparently innocent is a keen observer, the reader meets the inhabitants of Neely, NC and learns some of the history that causes them to do the things they do. The ancient Miss Pettigrew, who has never recovered from being jilted is a not-too-distant cousin to Miss Haversham. The Epperson sisters with their petition and seemingly unending quest, Louis's mother who washes dishes and stares out the window (behavior that the reader comprehends immediately, but Louis only gradually), the town Sheriff who is not as fearless as he seems to Louis, all are fully drawn portraits of endearing people.

Every year, close to Christmas time, I take out "A Short History" and re-read the Christmas pageant section in which Miss Pettigrew's appearance causes such a stir that the dog (that would be the dog playing the part of the donkey in the Christmas play) knocks over a candle and nearly sets fire to the whole church. It is both uproariously funny and completely recognizable for anyone who grew up in a small place (regardless of geography) and participated in the yearly church Christmas pageant.

Since "A Short History", I've eagerly awaited each of Mr. Pearson's successive novels and have enjoyed all of them;his humorous observation of human frailty remains keen. With each successive novel, he has tightened his style and honed his descriptive abilities, which is admirable, but I must admit that it was the expansive, langorous style of his first story -- a style of story-telling that took me back decades to a front porch, summer heat, and my grandmother's voice -- that I most admired and enjoyed.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute masterpiece!, February 7, 2001
By A Customer
I first read this book many years ago, and have read it several times since. Pearson is a first-rate storyteller, a modern day Mark Twain. A Short History of a Small Place is without a doubt the funniest book I've ever read, and of the hundreds of books I've read in my adult life, it's one of my top 3 all time favorites in any genre. His descriptions are hilarious and priceless. His narrative style had me hooked from the first page, and I've been a fan ever since. His description of the townspeople's actions and reactions during an rare snowstorm is hysterical. I've read that particular passage again and again, and laughed out loud every time. I find myself often reading passages aloud to someone else, because I just have to share the sheer joy and mastery in his writing.

The other two books in this trilogy -- Off for the Sweet Hereafter, and The Last of How it Was -- are also wonderful and brilliantly funny. But they are all stand-alone books. You don't need to read them in sequence. I've read all of Pearson's books, and A Short History of a Small Place remains my favorite. It's one of a kind, a thoroughly entertaining read.

There's really no present day writer who can compare to T. R. Pearson. He's an original. His narrative style will sweep you in, hold you captive, and leave you wishing for more after you've turned the last page. Pearson has written a true American classic.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An Overlooked Classic
A friend who has lived in the same small town for most of her childhood and adult life told me A Short History of a Small Place describes the experience and code of a finite... Read more
Published 6 months ago by C. Ebeling

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read!!!!
This book is a laugh-out-loud read of a small town. The characters are so well defined. The town has an odd-ball enviroment and T.R. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Trudy J. Johns

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Entertaining
When I first read this book some years ago I thought it described a real place as its tone fit perfectly into the lives of some really humorous friends I knew. Read more
Published on February 9, 2008 by Ann L. Allman

5.0 out of 5 stars Big laughs for a small place
The brilliance of this novel is the narrative voice-- a child observer who remains wholly unbiased, deadpan, as he relates the raucously funny antics of a gaggle of strongly... Read more
Published on May 30, 2005 by critical chick

4.0 out of 5 stars A Short Review for a Long Book
T.R. Pearson's novel, a Short History of a Small Place, takes the reader by the hand down a winding path through the history of a family and life in a small town. Read more
Published on December 3, 2002 by Kate Campbell

4.0 out of 5 stars A Short Review for a Long Book
T.R. Pearson's novel, A Short History of a Small Place, takes you by the hand and leads you down winding path through life in a small town. Read more
Published on December 3, 2002 by Kate Campbell

3.0 out of 5 stars A Winding Path
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it... Read more
Published on December 3, 2002 by John Zakrzewski

4.0 out of 5 stars Hearsay to History
The idea of reading a novel about someone else's childhood simply does not appeal to me. I don't even know if I would like to read a story about my own childhood. Read more
Published on December 3, 2002 by Kristen Wasekanes

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous book!
I reread this book about once a year, and I have given perhaps
10-12 copies to friends. This is storytelling at its very best. Read more
Published on July 22, 2002 by David W. Straight

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best American Novel I Have Ever Read!
This was the first novel of author T.R. Pearson's I read. Although I read most of his other offerings, none can match this book for the enjoyment and pleasure it offers. Read more
Published on July 9, 2002 by J. Fryer

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