Rating: 
Summary: Cross Creek is an American Classic
Review: More than 50 years ago, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings made rural Florida her home and the subject of some of her best writing. Her humor, lyricism and nostalgia are best captured in Cross Creek.Cross Creek is a book of essays about the life and people in Marjorie's world. Some of her characterizations might not translate in our ethnically-sensitized world and I understand the author was sued by one subject who didn't appreciate her characterization. However, Marjorie's respect and affection for her subjects is apparent in every sentence. Her appreciation for the natural wonders of her world (even insects and reptiles) will refresh the perspective of those who live close to nature and create a longing in those who do not. Finally, Cross Creek is a glimpse into a long overlooked and vanishing part of the American South. Before the explosion of Orlando, a lot of Florida was rural acreage inhabited by people who lived off the land. Marjorie does not romanticize this existance; one of her wryest essays is about her long-running battle against outdoor plumbing. However, she does show the victories and tragedies of a vanishing people. Cross Creek is to be read, re-read and loved. I only wish I could discover it all over again, myself.
Rating: 
Summary: A classic of regional writing
Review: Rawlings explores the lives and interations of the odd assortment of people living in Cross Creek, Florida in the early 1900s. It is often assigned reading for teens, but I doubt that most of them can appreciate it. Her accounts of neighbors feuding and subsistance living gives us many lessons in human behavior.
The lyrical descriptions of wildlife and the orange groves and wild landscape are very appealing. Your mouth waters as you read her essays on downhome foods like hush puppies. She turned those into a cookbook which I'll have to try out.
Modern readers squirm uncomfortably at her use of the N----- word and her characterization of blacks as irresponsible, drunken, immoral, etc. It is probably a faithful representation of common thinking at the time it was written, so recognize it as a snapshot of the times. Then move past that to luxuriate in the beautiful passages in the book. (I deducted 1 star for this)
The reader becomes absorbed in Rawlings' love of the land and the creation of a home. It gives much the same feelings as A Year in Provence or Under a Tuscan Sun.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down! A woman running her orange grove....
Review: This is a smart woman who runs her own orange grove in the 40s and 50s in central Florida. I recently drove around the small towns of central Florida and was bowled-over by the beauty. Miss Rawlings describes not only the birds, critters, domestic animals she owns and how she hunts, fishes, gardens, cooks and throws parties in the Florida wilderness in style, she also shows how whites in the deep south thought of blacks ("negros or darkies", she calls them) and talks about the humorous problems she has with her negro servants. Cross Creek is a slice of heaven and Marjorie Rawlings is just the woman to tell us about it. You'll feel like you are right there with her, loving every redbird and wildflower right along with her. HIGHLY recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Escape to a kinder time and richer life in exotic setting.
Review: This is truly a classic. The humor is so sharp that even the most urban can laugh hardily. The moral lessons are here! Marjorie Rawlings uses lots of "fancy" words but her message always comes across. She really transports you to a different century and you will finish the book feeling as if you have really visited Cross Creek or with a wish that you could visit now.
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