Poor Man's Provence
Finding Myself in Cajun Louisiana
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Hardcover: 224 pages
January 1, 2008 NewSouth Books; Second Edition edition ISBN-10: 1588382184 5.8 x 8.8 inches Buy now through:
Poor Man's Provence is what results when one beloved national treasure decides to write about another beloved national treasure, Louisiana's Cajuns. Johnson gives us an insider tour of an outsider culture, and it's as dead-on as Levi-Strauss and as funny as Mark Twain.
- Cynthia Shearer, author of The Celestial Jukebox |
For over a decade, syndicated columnist Rheta Grimsley Johnson has been spending several months a year in southwest Louisiana, deep in the heart of Cajun country. Rheta fell in love with the place, bought a second home, and set in planting doomed azaleas and deep roots. She has found an assortment of beautiful people right on the edge of the Atchafalaya Swamp.
These days, much is labeled Cajun that is not, and the popularity of the unique culture's food, songs, and dance has been a mixed blessing. Poor Man's Provence helps define what's what through lively characters and stories. The book is both a personal odyssey and good reporting, a travelogue and a memoir, funny and frank.
These days, much is labeled Cajun that is not, and the popularity of the unique culture's food, songs, and dance has been a mixed blessing. Poor Man's Provence helps define what's what through lively characters and stories. The book is both a personal odyssey and good reporting, a travelogue and a memoir, funny and frank.
In Poor Man’s Provence, Rheta Grimsley Johnson manages something that is difficult to do in life and in writing: she balances true love with a level head. – Bailey White
Louisiana’s bruised image could use more healing like Johnson’s book provides. – The Baton Rouge Advocate
The only bad thing about this wonderful memoir is that it is sure to bring tourists. – Mary Hood
Louisiana’s bruised image could use more healing like Johnson’s book provides. – The Baton Rouge Advocate
The only bad thing about this wonderful memoir is that it is sure to bring tourists. – Mary Hood