Good Ol' Boys - Catfishin'
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend Since I am fluent in the 'Suthun' dialect, I enjoy writing and attempting to capture the sound and subtleties of the vernacular. Although the story is fiction, the five 'good ol' boys' are compilations of some of the funniest characters from my childhood memories in rural Georgia in the 1950's. They are southern versions of Hank Hill and his buddies from the TV show, King of the Hill. Product details and pricing info |
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5 Customer Reviews Posted
- Fizz & Fish. Fry `em Foul. A Fun Romp in Fresh Water.
- The Southern dialect read warm and true, and this was an endearing "vision":
>> He didn't have a church of his own, but he had a huge army surplus tent that he set up frequently, much to the dismay of his immediate family. They usually made up his entire congregation, unless he could come up with ideas to draw a crowd. <<
At that point I had an ah ha! Maybe, Amazon Shorts would draw a crowd for Whitley's voice! Having read into the first few paragraphs, I was cheering in his camp. Even though, as I've mentioned in other reviews, I'm not a churchgoer or a doctrine digester, I enjoy prime humor almost anytime, anywhere, from any clear, un-invested voice.
By un-invested I mean that the talent aims foremost to wide-market entertainment. In that case it's okay by me if the voice also happens to provide intrigue about free-spirited Godly stuff.
Anyone gets my willing grins when he makes good fun out his own understandably fizzled brain sparks:
>> His previous brainstorm hadn't worked out as well as he had planned. It wasn't that it was that bad of an idea. It was just that there wasn't enough people in the community willing to pay five dollars a plate for a "Soul Food" dinner of turnip greens and cornbread--and then having to listen to him preach for two hours. <<
This stepped up to zealous intrigue:
>> Brother Hollis was already planning his sermon for the fish fry, and wasn't about to pass up a chance to make it happen. "Just what do you mean by `Not `zackly legal, Brother Red?" <<
Phil most definitely had the Southern drawl in a tight package:
>> "I've heerd `bout that, Red," Small Tim said. "Pap called hit `callin' catfish, er sompin' lak that." <<
After a few times of these guys mentioning "pushin' catfish aside" to grab something from the cooler, I'z gettin' a mite suspisheeous:
>> Dubya reached behind the seat of his jeep and took out a six-pack of tall-boy Buds, pushed a few catfish aside and dropped it into the cooler. <<
Whitley was good with the descriptive quips which set the atmosphere (note the "squinted ... smoke":
>> "Long as y'all don't mind a'wadin'. How deep is it?" Dubya asked while he lit a Camel and squinted at Tim over the smoke. <<
The concluding scenes of the catfish free-for-all, as they connected to the baptismal banquet were so well wrought and so hilarious, I didn't just laugh uproariously; I wheezed and wheezed, and squeezed my lungs like I used to do regularly as a kid, when something struck me so funny I couldn't stop the giggling fits to breathe. That side-shaking, tear-spewing type of funny bone exercise is the best medicine on heaven or earth. Thank you, Whitley!!
Yep, I agree. A keeper. Just be sure to gut it right, and go for mo.
Giggles & Grace Abounding,
Linda Shelnutt - 2006-12-10, 2 of 2 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Absolutely hilarious! Loved it!!
- You will love this story about the good ole' boys who have nothing better on their minds but a good ole' Southern fish fry. The preacher and his entourage have engineered ways to make this possible, but in ways you would never expect. With "GAW-ud-ah", anything is possible!
Superb dialect and imagery. This story is a keeper!
Good job! - 2006-11-15, 2 of 3 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Delightful and funny story
- This is a story that keeps you smiling as you read it. Well written and so Southern that you can hear the voices as they speak.
A tribute to the author Phil Whitley for his beautiful writing skills.
Thank you Mr. Whitley for the pleasure.
Anne Lebrecht - 2006-10-28, 1 of 2 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- A Catfish fry is what we need.
- Take five Good Ol Boys, one of whom is a good Southern Preacher add in the need for large amounts of catfish, and some shall we say nontraditional methods of catching fish, fry it all up with slaw and Hushpuppies then you'll have one funny story to share with everyone you know. Phil Whitley deftly weaves the threads of Southern Religion with Good Ol Boy inventiveness to leave us all with a smile on our face that will be there for a long time. It will return every time we think about catfishin.
- 2006-10-21, 2 of 2 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- What a Hoot!
- Phil Whitley is uniquely qualified to write Southern Humor. Phil Grew up in Georgia and his characters are drawn from the real people of his youth. His description of the "Preacherman" in Good Ol' Boys Catfishin' is masterful. You can close your eyes and hear the sermon in pure southern dialect.
If you enjoy Good Ol' Boys Catfishin' you will also like Phil's new book "Keechie". - 2006-10-20, 2 of 3 people found this review helpful, Rated:
