All Over But The Shoutin': An Enduring Classic of Southern Fiction

All Over but the Shoutin'

by Rick Bragg

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3905 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	353 pages

FREE

Walker Percy's 1963 novel, All Over But The Shoutin', is a seminal work of American literature that has captured the hearts and minds of readers for generations. Set in the Deep South during the tumultuous 1960s, the novel follows the coming-of-age journey of Binx Bolling, a young man grappling with questions of identity, faith, and the meaning of life.

Through Binx's experiences, Percy explores themes of existentialism, religion, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. The novel is a masterpiece of Southern fiction, capturing the unique voice and spirit of the region.

Plot Summary

All Over But The Shoutin' begins with Binx Bolling, a young man who has recently been discharged from a mental hospital. Binx is struggling to find his place in the world and is haunted by a sense of alienation and loneliness.

Binx decides to leave his hometown of New Orleans and travel to the small town of Feliciana, Alabama. He hopes to find a new beginning and escape the demons that have plagued him. However, Binx soon discovers that Feliciana is not the sanctuary he had hoped for.

The town is filled with a cast of eccentric and unforgettable characters, including the Reverend Williston, a defrocked minister who lives in a tent; Dr. Lewis, a cynical physician; and Kate Hogg, a beautiful and enigmatic woman.

As Binx interacts with these characters, he begins to question his own beliefs and values. He struggles with issues of faith, doubt, and the meaning of existence. Through his journey, Binx eventually comes to a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

Themes

All Over But The Shoutin' is a novel that is rich in themes. Percy explores a wide range of topics, including:

• Existentialism: Binx Bolling is a quintessential existential hero. He is alienated, lonely, and searching for meaning in a meaningless world. Percy explores the existential themes of authenticity, freedom, and responsibility.
• Religion: Binx's journey is also a spiritual one. He is raised in a Catholic family, but he struggles to believe in God. Percy explores the themes of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in a secular world.
• The South: All Over But The Shoutin' is a deeply Southern novel. Percy captures the unique voice and spirit of the region. The novel is full of Southern characters, settings, and themes.

Characters

All Over But The Shoutin' features a cast of unforgettable characters, each of whom represents a different aspect of the human condition.

• Binx Bolling: The protagonist of the novel, Binx is a young man who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is alienated, lonely, and searching for meaning.
• Reverend Williston: A defrocked minister who lives in a tent, Williston is a wise and compassionate man. He helps Binx to question his own beliefs and values.
• Dr. Lewis: A cynical physician, Lewis is a skeptic who believes that life is meaningless. He challenges Binx's faith and forces him to confront his own mortality.
• Kate Hogg: A beautiful and enigmatic woman, Kate is the object of Binx's desire. However, she is also a complex and troubled character.

Style

All Over But The Shoutin' is written in a unique and distinctive style. Percy uses a combination of realism and surrealism to create a world that is both familiar and strange.

The novel is full of rich imagery and symbolism. Percy also uses stream-of-consciousness techniques to get inside the minds of his characters.

Legacy

All Over But The Shoutin' is considered one of the most important novels of the 20th century. It has been praised for its insightful exploration of existentialism, religion, and the search for meaning.

The novel has been adapted into a film and a stage play. It has also been translated into over 20 languages.

All Over But The Shoutin' is a masterpiece of American literature that deserves to be read and reread by generations to come. It is a novel that will stay with you long after you finish it.

All Over but the Shoutin'

by Rick Bragg

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3905 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	353 pages

FREE