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3.0étoiles sur 5
Pleasant, but Disappointing, Janv. 28 2003
Fred Chappell's *Brighten the Corner Where You Are* is the second offering in the "Jess Series", preceeded by *I Am One Of You Forever*. The story is narrated by Jess, and covers one extraordinary day in the life of Joe Robert Kirkman, farmer, country school teacher, incorrigible cut-up, and father of Jess. In the course of the day, Joe Robert climbs a tall poplar tree in the dark and there encounters the incarnation of his own lie, rescues a drowning girl, teaches a couple of remarkable classes, debates a goat, and makes various discoveries about the students and faculty of the school where he teaches. Characters and settings from the first book make appearances in the second, providing much needed continuity. I say "much needed" because the Joe Robert in *Brighten* bears so little resemblence to the Joe Robert in *Forever* that the reader may not believe that it is the same character. Perhaps it's simply a matter of emphasis and character development, a stage-setting for the final book in the trilogy. But, I was somewhat disappointed through much of the book. The story seems almost forced, trying to match the absolutely amazing subtlety and poingnancy of *Forever*. Though the story does finally resolve, the steps to the catharsis are ambiguous. However, when the resolution does occur, it does so with all the magic and charm of *I Am One Of You Forever*. But, getting to the resolution becomes a little tedious. I think the main problem with the story is that Joe Robert comes off as just a little too perfect, just too nice a guy to be believable.
The story has all the elements of great Southern literature; quirky characters, emphasis on the human connection to nature, mysticism, family, religion, and that most prominent of Southern traits, a profound understanding of death. To see how a truly skillful author handles these themes is reason enough to read the book. The italicized chapters of the book are truly poetic, and naturally so, as Mr. Chappell is an excellent poet.
Do read *Brighten the Corner Where You Are*, if only to complete the trilogy. But, read it with the hope that the third book in the series will be better.
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5.0étoiles sur 5
That Old Chappell Magic, Juil 16 2002
Fred Chappell is one of contemporary American literature's true magicians. Not a trickster now. His is an honest magic wrought from imagination, intelligence, humor, and an unsurpassed linguisitc gift.BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE gives us ample evidence of this legerdemain. It is the second part of Chappell's quartet of novels involving Jess Kirkman and his indominatible family in the mountains of western North Carolina. Whereas the first novel, I AIM ONE OF YOU FOREVER, focuses on the boy Jess, this second book concerns his father, Joe Robert, schoolteacher, storyteller, scientist, prankster, and eternal child at heart whose guiding principle is a "priority of delight" The novel's "plot", such as it is, centers on one day in Joe Robert's life - and it is quite an eventful day! He chases the notorious "devil-possum" - a figment of his wild imagination- up a tree to impress his buddies, only to encounter a real life panther which sends Joe Robert tumbling to scrapes and bruises. He saves a little girl from drowning. He coaxes a recalcitrant goat off the school roof. And he faces the school board, with expulsion a real possibility, for his unapologetic teaching of Darwin. These set pieces allow for much humor in the good old Southern Applalachian tall tale tradition of Joel Chandler Harris, George Washington Harris, and William Gilmore Simms. Yet more importantly they draw an indelible portrait of a good man, a bit times too childish perhaps, but with the proper animating spirit of life. This is a marvelous novel by a marvelous writer.
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5.0étoiles sur 5
A lyrical master piece that touches the soul, Déc 13 1999
Brighten the Corner Where You Are is the most uplifting novel I have read in a long time. The simple magic found in ever aspect of Joe Robert Kirkman's life is truly captivating. By the time I finished reading how Joe Robert captured the moon, I was hooked!
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