Mama Makes Up Her Mind: And Other Dangers of Southern Living (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The other day Mama made up her mind she wanted some smoked mullet..." (more)
Key Phrases: chicken feet, Joe King, Miss Bergheim, Uncle Sonny (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

White is known to fans of National Public Radio's All Things Considered for her endearing true stories about rural South Georgia where she lives and teaches the first grade. Her first book, which brings together some 50 of these short pieces, rich in humor and folksy charm, should delight her listeners, as well as readers new to her storytelling. Many of the selections deal with White's mother, who has never seen a movie as good as Midnight Cowboy , and other relatives and friends with similar eccentric wrinkles in their personalities. Other pieces are culled from the events of White's everyday life--gardening, her school's annual Christmas Party. First serial to Boston Globe Sunday Magazine and Miami Herald Sunday Magazine.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Bailey White's sketches evoke a sort of real-life Lake Wobegon."--The New York Times -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; 1st, First Edition edition (April 12, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679751602
• ISBN-13: 978-0679751601
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #640,707 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intellectual and Hysterical, November 14, 2001

By	Mamalinde "mamalinde" (Dallas) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Bailey White captures the magic of the eccentric south in this charming collection, where each little chapter is a story in an of itself - but all related. Sassy and playful, like Fanny Flagg's delightful books, but more of an intellectual's look at life, the book passes by the Dukes of Hazzard type mentality, and stands like a beacon on its own. Cooking, livestock and an amazing house are simply the tip of the wonderful things to come - definitely a book to be read not once, but many times. From a road kill menu to a swarm of bicyclists to a bed that morphs into a mirror and "something like a husband" the palette is full and rich with fun and love and the wonderful art of being southern. This would make a wonderful "read out loud" book that would leave the audience in giggles and begging for more!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent., April 26, 1999

By A Customer

This is the first book by Bailey White I have ever read and I intend to find all her other writings, because this is one of the finest books I have read in many years. I am European and I find this writing to provide wonderful insight into Southern states atmosphere. The book is entertaining, delightful, exquisitely humorous. In addition, there is a complete lack of the tiresome agendas so prevalent in current books. I have read the book twice now, and intend to read it again when I need a reminder that life's many facets are all worth relishing and (re)discovering. I have read sections to others who enjoyed it just as much as I have. Let this book entertain and even teach you a thing or two.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind Mama, October 8, 2000

By	Clark "medfox" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

Southern living is really dangerous. Random thoughts could get you in a ton of trouble. Mama Makes Up Her Mind by Bailey White is a hilarious memoir about her wacky family. One of the best qualities about the book is the way Bailey White paints the pictures of Mama. You can just see her sitting in her reclining chair, listening to the radio, and reading UFO newsletter or picking up some road kill for dinner. Another great quality is that the characters are easy to relate to. By the end of the book you want to talk to Mama or you wish that Bailey was your 2nd grade teacher. The characters are fun and exciting. The last quality that was really wonderful was that throughout the book you learned many lessons about life. From how great instant-care is to how to deal with 36 first graders on a field trip. Bailey White's life is as entertaining and Mama and the way She describes it is amazing. Mama Makes Up Her Mind was and entertaining group of stories that will make you laugh out loud. Buckle-up, because your about to read a thoroughly eccentric book.