O’Connor’s short stories are pure poetry about the American South. She defined Southern Gothic, which I find to be not fantasy, or some far out opinion, but quite literal. Things are strange in the South. An entirely different culture emerged from the remnants of the Civil War, one of fear, indifference, and down right defiance. Her stories reflect these sentiments with accuracy and poise.
I read Good Country People for about the fiftieth time the other night and it still amazes me the way she captures the essence of Southern society and the realism of interactions between Southern people and their condition. Another of my favorites from her collection is A Good Man Is Hard To Find. These are both popular O’Connor stories, but for a reason: They show Southern life the way it was and, as O’Connor may or may not have known, Southern life very much as it is today.
Brady's Cellar 