Same Place, Same Things

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Summary: Twelve Louisiana Stories to Relate to and Identify With
Review: "Returnings," "Deputy Sid's Gift," and "The Bug Man," were my favorites, but anyone who has ever lived in or visited Louisiana can relate to and identify with these Louisiana life experiences about simple life that is not always so simple. The author once taught me creative writing during my time at SLU in Hammond, Louisiana, and as I read his books, he continues to teach me with his literary writing that puts a sparkle in any Louisiana tale with his elegant wit, style, and humor. I recommend this book for any writer who wants to learn to write well-written short stories and any reader who loves a good Louisiana tale!!! I devoured these tales as they took me back to Louisiana and another time and place. Barbara J. Robinson

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Summary: The South without the Stereotypes
Review: Being of Cajun heritage, I enjoy reading Southern literature, but at its worst, it is a bad mix of standard stereotypes: white trash, hound dogs, trailer parks and bad men and loose women. Gim Gautreaux gets it right! He gently (often humorously) takes a good, long look at Louisiana, and his vision is sharp without getting mired in cliches. The title story is dark and poignant, and its characters are interesting and multi-dimensional. I want to read more of Mr. Gautreaux; his view of the world is just quirky enough to be fascinating, but not so strange that I don't want to visit that place! And besides, I never knew anyone who ever actually wrote about Catahoula!

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Summary: Twelve Louisiana Stories to Relate to and Identify With
Review: I enjoyed this volume of Gautreaux's short stories almost as much as WELDING WITH CHILDREN - his writing seems to flow effortlessly from him (but I'm sure it's hard work, as good as it is). As with the stories in that later collection, the author infuses each tale with a gentle humor - even those stories that would be completely morose in the hands of another writer sparkle here and there with an `inner smile'. Gautreaux never belittles his characters, never makes fun of them - but he allows the humorous aspects of their lives and situations and personalities to shine through whatever darkness fate has chosen to settle around them. This - and his amazing character drawing skills - makes his fiction a joy to read.

The stories here that stood out the most for me are `Same place, same things', `The bug man', `Returnings' and `Deputy Syd's gift' - and these last two are simply amazing works. They could stand up well alongside the writing of anyone.

Gautreaux has a definite gift - his novel THE NEXT STEP IN THE DANCE is on my table at home, waiting its turn.

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Summary: GREAT STORIES AND CHARACTERS
Review: I enjoyed this volume of Gautreaux's short stories almost as much as WELDING WITH CHILDREN - his writing seems to flow effortlessly from him (but I'm sure it's hard work, as good as it is). As with the stories in that later collection, the author infuses each tale with a gentle humor - even those stories that would be completely morose in the hands of another writer sparkle here and there with an 'inner smile'. Gautreaux never belittles his characters, never makes fun of them - but he allows the humorous aspects of their lives and situations and personalities to shine through whatever darkness fate has chosen to settle around them. This - and his amazing character drawing skills - makes his fiction a joy to read.

The stories here that stood out the most for me are 'Same place, same things', 'The bug man', 'Returnings' and 'Deputy Syd's gift' - and these last two are simply amazing works. They could stand up well alongside the writing of anyone.

Gautreaux has a definite gift - his novel THE NEXT STEP IN THE DANCE is on my table at home, waiting its turn.

Rating:
Summary: An author as quirky as his characters
Review: I had the privilege of attending a writer's conference in Indiana where the author was an instructor. He was the kind of person one wants to observe, to be around. Funny, smart, very gentlemanly toward his wife and the attendees! His stories in this book reflect Mr. Gautreaux's innate ability to observe people of all sorts. His is a rare talent. Highly recommend this book to readers to enjoy all fiction, especially Southern fiction.

Rating:
Summary: An author as quirky as his characters
Review: I had the privilege of attending a writer's conference in Indiana where the author was an instructor. He was the kind of person one wants to observe, to be around. Funny, smart, very gentlemanly toward his wife and the attendees! His stories in this book reflect Mr. Gautreaux's innate ability to observe people of all sorts. His is a rare talent. Highly recommend this book to readers to enjoy all fiction, especially Southern fiction.

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Summary: Great writing!! Quirkey views!!!
Review: I have to say that I was an English major at the same college where T. Gautreauux now teaches, and I loved this book!! However, I wonder why good Southern writers have to play upon the "weird and odd" that constitutes the South. I find his writing both refreshing and alarming!! Somewhat in the same vein as James Wilcox!!