ATLarts

By Jeff

April 1, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

I don’t know any dealing with Atlanta specifically, but I do know several that deal with rural GA.

Joshua S. Mauney’s The Rocking Chair is a Notebook-esque tale of falling in love in Cartersville. I knew the guy personally growing up there (in fact, knowing him eventually led to much of my life as I know it), and the scenes he paints in many ways are BETTER than Notebook.

Robert Whitlow - a UGA grad - writes a couple of books dealing with small-town rural GA. Off the top of my head, The Sacrifice is the one that comes to mind.

Even Lee Child - a Brit - writes of murder and mystery in small town rural South GA, and the scenes he paints, while fitting more to his story in this particular book than anything else, paint a decent picture of the underbelly of rural politics. The book in question is Killing Floor. Note that this book is NOT recommended for children!

Of Atlanta specifically, AJC’s own Shaunti Feldhahn has The Lights of 10th Street. It deals with two churches, sexual addiction, and a small town gal that gets lured in and then trapped by the various strip clubs in town.

While not based in Atlanta, Georgian Creston Mapes’ Nobody deals with the murder of an Atlantan in Las Vegas, and his descriptions of the church the man is from and the man’s own journey sounds remarkably similar to many tales of Atlanta churches/people I know.

By GirlsMom

April 1, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

Two that I’ve enjoyed that really make me think about Atlanta are Anne Rivers Siddons Peachtree Road especially and also Downtown, and of course Where Peachtree meets Sweet Auburn by Gary Pomerantz

By Hmmm

April 1, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

The one book that makes me think of Atlanta every time is “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”. (Although the title should be changed to “MANY Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”.

By Book Worm

April 1, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

“A Man In Full ’ captures a window of time in the 1990’s that was oh so true about Atlanta.

By NY Transplant

April 1, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

co-signing with GirlsMom, Peachtree Road really helped me understand Atlanta when I first got here. And more kudos to GirlsMom for mentioning Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn, which is an excellent recommendation that I did not think of.

By blah

April 1, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

I’ve always thought the AJC blogs were shameless in the way that so many of them consist of nothing but a question or a string of questions, and instead of good writing, the success of the “blog” is based on how many reader comments it solicits.

Now the AJC has us doing the new girl’s homework for her. (Friendly note to Jamie: Drop the “Peachtrees” shtick — they’re not that complicated and making corny jokes about them is a sure sign that you’re too new to the city to be reporting on it.)

That said, A Man In Full is a great look at many different parts of Atlanta during the 90s. It’s quite bulky and is readily available at probably any thrift store in the city, which might make your living/shopping/schooling/working in the city a bit more “authentic.”

There’s also a good non-fiction book called The Atlanta Youth Murders and the Politics of Race, which gives a good picture of the city’s climate and culture in the late 70s early 80s. In fact, if you Google Atlanta Child Murders, you might come up with a bountiful list of fiction and non-fiction that tries to capture the essence of Atlanta.

By FarLeftLoons

April 1, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Here’s the best one (a good history of the city):

“Buckhead : A Place for All Time” by Susan Kessler Barnard and Franklin Garrett

By sunshine

April 1, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Pearl Cleadge’s- Baby Brother’s Blues and her newest one

The Untelling and Leaving Atlanta- Tayari Jones

Dale Cramer

Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn and Atlanta Rising are both wonderful non-fiction books about A-town.

You’ve already mentioned “Them”, but it’s one of my favorite ones Are the first few that come to my head. once i get my “fix” I’m sure to come up with more.

By FW

April 1, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

“Looking for Atlanta” by Marilyn Staats. If you grew up in town, you’ll recognize every character.

By Melanie

April 1, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

My favorites are Elizabeth Musser’s The Swan House,The Dwelling Place, and her newest, Searching for Eternity. Musser is a native Atlantan (now living in France) and her intimate knowledge of the city is reflected in her works. The Swan House is set in Atlanta in 1962, and is spot-on in its portrayal of race and class relations of the period. The Dwelling Place is the sequel, with the continuing story set in modern-day Atlanta.

Searching for Eternity introduces new characters into the 1960s landscape of Atlanta.

Even if the stories were not rich, complex, and compelling, I would read them for their vivid images of the city I love.

By John

April 1, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Oh come on - my favorite two are by Fred Williard Princess Naughty and the Voodoo Cadillac and Down on Ponce. Both of those books really capture the strange wackiness of Cheshire Bridge, the various mixing of all kinds of people - urban/suburban, natives, Southern transplants, northern transplants, Floridians - and how we all interact. Plus his novels take seemingly everyday events we can all relate to here in Atlanta and turn them into a strangely believable tale.

By brock

April 1, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Atlanta and Environs, by the late great Franklin Garrett. Sure, it was published decades ago, but it’s as complete an Atlanta history as you’ll get.

By American

April 1, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Hmmm, can’t imagine why I would want to read a book about current Atlanta. The city is banal, crime ridden and seemingly one poor choice of a Mayor after another. Perhaps if I can’t sleep at night I would attempt the first couple of pages…by then I would be sound asleep.

By a reader

April 1, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

I agree with Sunshine, Them, great read on how regentrification affects families. Pearl Cleage-Seen it all & done the rest (her latest) Where Peachtree meets Sweet Auburn … just a few that came to mind.

By Corey

April 1, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

American, people such as yourself probably would complain about the date on the money if a million dollars fell in your lap. But then again, complaining makes small people feel important. Peace!

By Homeschool Mom

April 1, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

I’m with John…that was what I was going to say! I loved those!

By mom

April 1, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

I concur w/ those who suggested the Anne Rivers Siddons’ books—especially Peachtree Road.

By BPJ

April 1, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Here’s a link to a list I posted on Amazon a couple of years ago, with some of the better nonfiction books about Atlanta: text to be linked. I would add to that the recent book about Peachtree Creek, by David Kaufman, and Rebecca Burns’s recent book about the 1906 race riot, Rage in the Gate City.

First-rate fiction set in Atlanta is scarce. My favorite is Donald Wyndham’s Dog Star, but that’s not a book everyone would enjoy.

Peachtree Road and Downtown I recommend, but take Siddons’s it-all-went-wrong-after-the-60s view with a grain of salt.

A Man in Full started out set in New York (as a sequel to Bonfire of the Vanities); after several years of work, Wolfe decided (reportedly with some prodding from his editor) to shift it to Atlanta. Some of the scenes still read more as New York than Atlanta to me, especially the one set at an opening at the High (originally the Whitney). Other parts sound like Atlanta in the 80s, not the 90s. And as a novel, it’s a bit of a baggy mess; there’s a terrific short story collection struggling to get out of there. That said, I enjoyed most of the scenes, and would recommend it on that basis.

Some of the best fictional renderings of Atlanta have been on the stage, not the page. Horizon Theatre has done several fine contemporary plays set here, as has Theatrical Outfit, Dad’s Garage, PushPush, and others…and of course there’s Alfred Uhry.

By alice

April 1, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

For two entirely different takes on the city, check out two successful and very different local authors. Karin Slaughter’s Triptych is a riveting murder mystery thriller set in the Atl. Then there’s the cozy mystery series by the absolutely delightful Patricia Sprinkle, whose series that starts with Death on the Family Tree is set in Buckhead. And come to the Decatur Book Festival Labor Day weekend for scores of authors from both Atlanta and around the nation.

By Joeventures

April 2, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Regime Politics seems to capture a shadow of Atlanta, to me. There just needs to be a new chapter that comments on the propensity of the urban regime to reinvent the wheel to solve problems, the solutions of which are already known.

By Joyce

April 4, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Y’all have mentioned many of the ones that came to my mind. But I have one to add to the list — ATLANTA BLUE by former AJC reporter Robert Lamb.

By Mimi

April 22, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Atrocity Within is the latest novel to capture Atlanta’s southern charm and multi cultural glory. Debut author Adriene Allen is already receiving wonderful reviews from both the readers and the professional reviews. (Week of March 8th the novel ranked in the top 10 of The Times Review) Visit www.atrocitywithin.com to read a preview chapter and ordering information. The book is awesome… Check it out!!!

By Pat Barnhart

April 22, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

New author Adriene Allen has published a book set in Atlanta - Atrocity Within. This is a VERY erotic thriller that revolves around a Buckhead mansion and the madam who runs it, a call girl turned lawyer, and a black prostitute named Noir that readers will LOVE. The book gives you a good sense of the non-typical Atlanta - not your average tourist view. Enjoy!

By Jay Hughes

April 22, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

As an Atlanta native, I’ve read everything from Margaret Mitchell to Fred Willard, Ann Rivers Siddon, Tom Wolfe’s (A Man in Full), Frank Garrett, and everything by Kathy Hogan Trocheck. In fact, if it’s about Atlanta I’ve read it. I have to agree that Adriene Allen’s new book is a must read. It’s original, edgy, erotic, and fun. It’s a great read that left this reader wanting more…much more!

By Adriene Allen

April 22, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Hi Jamie One of my readers emailed me regarding this blog… As the author of Atrocity Within I must say that Georgians and people from all over have raved about my debut novel. Atrocity Within is a modern-mainstream-fictional depiction, erotic in tone (however very classy) and captures the rich culture of Atlanta. This novel has been enjoyed by many from ages 18 to 90. AW has something for everyone. Don’t miss out…contact me at Adriene@adrieneallen.com for your complimentary-autographed copy. Jamie…Welcome to Atlanta!!! -Adriene Allen www.atrocitywithin.com www.adrieneallen.com

Night Dancing!!! coming soon www.nightdancing.com

By Penny Henritze

April 24, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

As a child Ellie Corday was not interested in dolls or love. She was interested in ambition and once she realized how she could make it happen she never looked back. She changed her name but not her focus. Elle Corday Whitmire was interested in sex, and her sexual appetite was voracious. Atrocities Within is a thrilling story of ruthless passion, of seductive women who glide through the night; hot, smooth bodies open and yearning for adventure, people with secret passions and hidden drawers of the heart. It is a story of vivid people with disturbing psyches that erupt into sexual realities that know no bounds. The blinders are off and women use their bodies as a shrine to controlling demons. They encapsulate their prey into silken webs where sexual fantasies become a reality from which there is no escape. Adriene Allen’s first book is an intense look at another way of life, and she tells it well. It is a first-rate novel of moral inquiry. The author has stepped into her characters’ minds and explores the atrocities of the heart. The book is psychologically astute with remarkable erotic scenes the reader will dream about. Adriene Allen is a brilliant and gifted storyteller and she seduces her readers with a captivating tale of hot desire. Cheers to Adriene for not holding back, for giving her readers a different version of a world that rocks.

Atrocities Within is a book you hate to see end, but one that you have to keep turning the page. We want a Sequel, We want a Sequel, We want a Sequel – and we want to read every book you write. Kudos to Adriene Allen!!!! Penny Henritze

By BPJ

April 25, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

note to the AJC: this thread has apparently been hijacked by a publicity campaign for a certain author (see above 5 posts).

By wow gold

May 7, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this

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By Mimi

May 20, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

BPJ Nah…you’re wrong. Read the book and you’ll see it’s the truth…