Friday, September 2, 2011

THE BAYOU TRILOGY: READ WITH THE PRESIDENT - A GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE BAYOU TRILOGY:
UNDER THE BRIGHT LIGHTS,  
MUSCLE FOR THE WING, 
   and THE ONES YOU DO
BY DANIEL WOODRELL

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A hard-hitting, critically acclaimed trilogy of crime novels from an author about whom New York magazine has written, “What people say about Cormac McCarthy … goes double for Woodrell. Possibly more.” 

In the parish of St. Bruno, sex is easy, corruption festers, and double-dealing is a way of life. Rene Shade is an uncompromising detective swimming in a sea of filth.

As Shade takes on hit men, porn kings, a gang of ex-cons, and the ghosts of his own checkered past, Woodrell’s three seminal novels pit long-entrenched criminals against the hard line of the law, brother against brother, and two vastly different sons against a long-absent father. 

The Bayou Trilogy highlights the origins of a one-of-a-kind author, a writer who for over two decades has created an indelible representation of the shadows of the rural American experience and has steadily built a devoted following among crime fiction aficionados and esteemed literary critics alike.

PRAISE FOR THE BAYOU TRILOGY:
“Old fans and new readers alike out to be grateful….The novels showcase Woodrell’s evolution as a writer … Woodrell’s The Bayou Trilogy supplies all the pleasure of hard-boiled noir: laconic cynicism, casually colorful characters (a diner owner, for instance, is described as having ‘slightly more than a basic issue of a nose’) and a hero whose feet of clay make his dedication to law and order all the more admirable.” 
-Chicago Tribune 

“Really cool . . . Jump on these three top-shelf books.”
-Library Journal 

“There’s poetry in Woodrell’s mayhem, each novel-and scene-full of gritty and memorable Cajun details.” 
-Publishers Weekly, starred review

The Bayou Trilogy is more than a landmark of crime fiction; it is an impressive and important addition to American letters. Bravo, Daniel Woodrell, and long live Rene Shade.” 
-PulpSerenade.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
Daniel Woodrell lives in West Plains, Mo. "The Bayou Trilogy" was released this year. He's also the author of "Winter's Bone," "Tomato Red" and other "country noir" books. (The author said a few years ago that he was tired of the term "country noir," but it still follows him.)

The Associated Press said "The Bayou Trilogy" was one of the books the president paid for at Bunch of Grapes bookstore, where last year he picked up an early copy of Jonathan Franzen's long-awaited novel "Freedom."

Woodrell spent much of his youth in St. Charles. Franzen graduated from Webster Groves High School. 

Five of Daniel Woodrell's eight novels were selected as New York Times Notable Books of the Year. A recipient of the PEN West Award, Woodrell lives in the Ozarks near the Arkansas line with his wife, Katie Estill.

ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY CHOICE:
TAKEN FROM SHELF AWARENESS PRO, FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 - FROM THEIR ARTICLE "CONQUERING OUR NATIONAL FEAR OF FICTION"  by Robert Gray

"I hope President Obama is enjoying his summer reads, especially those novels he brought to Martha's Vineyard (Abraham Verghese's Cutting for Stone and David Grossman's To the End of the Land) and bought at Bunch of Grapes Bookstore (Daniel Woodrell's Bayou Trilogy, Emma Donoghue's Room and Ward Just's Rodin's Debutante)."
 
"Not everyone was pleased with his choices. Salon's Robin Black asked, "President Obama: Why don't you read more women?" The National Review's Tevi Troy observed that the selections "may constitute the oddest assortment of presidential reading material ever disclosed, for a number of reasons. First, five of the six are novels, and the near-absence of nonfiction sends the wrong message for any president, because it sets him up for the charge that he is out of touch with reality."

.... Gray goes on to say later in the article: "Well, everybody, it's time to exhale. Fiction will not hasten the decline and fall of the American Empire. A Congressional inquiry into the president's reading habits isn't necessary. Novels are neither a sedative nor a terrorist plot. They are stories about how we have lived, live now and may live in the future, offering perspectives a few more politicians and pundits might consider exploring."

"We've been telling each other stories--formally and informally--for a long time in mashups of categorical uncertainty. Homer chronicled some history. Herodotus recorded some fiction. Writers of "nonfiction" are often debunked; novels that are barely disguised memoirs are commonplace. Fiction is not all make-believe; nonfiction is not the same as truth. But we can learn from all of these variations what it means to be human."


"Fear of fiction is a common psychological ailment that is more prevalent among male readers, for some reason. Perhaps there's no cure for this phobia, but a reality check might be in order, especially among those sufferers who, as has happened with President Obama's instant literary critics, act out their issues in public."

"Consider this: Within days of Obama's Fictiongate crisis, Keith Oatley, professor emeritus in the department of human development and applied psychology at the University of Toronto, unveiled the results of a psychology of fiction study that found narrative helps people think for themselves."

"The National Post reported that Oatley and Maja Djikic "put together a study to measure how personalities can be changed by literature. Participants were given either Anton Chekhov's story 'The Lady with the Little Dog' or a version of the story rewritten in a nonfiction style by Djikic, which included all the same information, was the same length and at the same reading level. Participants did personality tests before and after reading."

"According to Oatley, "people who read the Chekhov story, their personalities all changed a bit.... With things like persuasion, as in a political message, everybody's all supposed to think the same way, and they do. The reason we're very excited by this result is that people all changed in their own way."

"In reaction to the study, Raymond Mar, assistant professor of psychology at York University, said, "There are similar cognitive processes associated with understanding the real world and understanding the fictional world, so when we try to understand what's going on in a piece of fiction--reading a book and trying to figure out what characters are thinking and feeling--it's analogous to people trying to figure out how real people are thinking and feeling."

"Engaging with characters builds character.
"

....and this is what caught my eye and had me choose THE BAYOU TRILOGY that President Obama bought to give away on my book blog. It is all new from Mulholland books and I know they must be happy to see people reading their book. I hope the winner enjoys it! Good luck!

 GIVEAWAY

I HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS NEW BOOK
TO GIVE AWAY TO ONE LUCKY READER! 
   
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU READ ABOVE ABOUT THE BAYOU TRILOGY  THAT MADE YOU WANT TO READ THIS BOOK,  AND DON'T FORGET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FIND INTERESTING ABOUT THE BAYOU TRILOGY AND THE EXCERPTS FROM MULLHOLLAND'S WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK, PLEASE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, COMMENT ON EACH WAY SEPARATELY.

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, SEPTEMBER 25
GOOD LUCK!

81 comments:

dogwood said...

OH MY GRAVY!! I heart Daniel Woodrell so hard. I am dying to read this!!!

dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

dogwood said...

The excerpts are great, but I don't want to read too much and spoil it! I'm glad the book is getting such high praise.

dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

dogwood said...

GFC follower - dogwood

dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

dogwood said...

Not sure how to give you a link to the specific tweet, but I'm @sallybway on twitter and I tweeted...

dogwoodlane at suddenlink dot net

bermudaonion said...

I'd like to read this simply because the President is. :) milou2ster(at)gmail.com

debbie said...

This is a new author to me. It sounds like a really good series. I love books set in cajun country.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I am a gfc follower
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

holdenj said...

Well. count me in as a new reader to Woodrell and his 'country noir'. Thanks!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I subscribe via RSS feed.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Steve Capell said...

Very interesting post! The two things that will change a person's life more than anything else are the people that they meet and the books they read. I've made it a point to meet lots of people and read lots of books. I want to take a moment and put a plug in for book bloggers as they bring to the public the latest books along with honest opinions and editorial monologue so that avid readers can make informed choices. The book blogger is one of the most dedicated person to their cause and one of least compensated for their work. Most companies would spend thousand upon thousand to promote their product, but publishers and authors promote their works through the tiring efforts of book bloggers like Bingo. Ok off my soap box. I would love to win this mystery novel. BTW this author lives in town that I have driven through many times over my lifetime. I guess it's a small world after all. Thanks again for a great post.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

lag123 said...

I just read abouth this book earlier on the internet. What a coincidence! I would like to engage with these characters!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Unknown said...

Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. I am a follower and email subscriber. Tore923@aol.com

lag123 said...

I loved the praise from SpinetinglerMag.com Very poetic.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/109626419235131392

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I subscribe via email.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I follow via GFC: Lisa Garrett
lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I follow via twitter: @lag32583

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

I follow via FB: Lisa Holmes Garrett

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

3. +5 September Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

4. +5 September Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

lag123 said...

5. +5 September Facebook

lag110 at mchsi dot com

ann said...

I would like to read this book its my kind of read.

amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

i like and follow on FB

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

1. +5 September Facebook
bonus points

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

2. +5 September Facebook
bonus points

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

3. +5 September Facebook
bonus points

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

4. +5 September Facebook
bonus points

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

ann said...

5. +5 September Facebook
bonus points

amhengst
amhengst at verizon dot net

traveler said...

this book would be wonderful. Many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

An unique and great book. Excerpts were gripping. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

I would enjoy this book. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

mamabunny13 said...

I want to read this book because it sounds like a great read.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I went to MULLHOLLAND'S WEBSITE and I like that the book is getting such wonderful praise.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

GFC follower - mamabunny13
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

follow via RSS feed
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#1 +5 September Facebook Bonus
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#2 +5 September Facebook Bonus
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#3 +5 September Facebook Bonus
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#4 +5 September Facebook Bonus
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

#5 +5 September Facebook Bonus
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Sue Farrell said...

I'd like to read this to get an idea of what the President likes to read.

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Sue Farrell said...

I am an email follower

suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Carol N Wong said...

I like what the praise for what the author wrote section. I am always curious what about whatever President in office is reading.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I think I would rather read about St. Bruno than visit. From the site, it seems like a scary place to live. I have never been there but I have loved the towns that I have been while in Louisiana.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I tweeted this giveaway.


http://t.co/NOnX3WF

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with an e-mail subscription.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with
Facebook.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with
Networking Blogs.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with an RSS feed on my IGoogle page.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with Twitter.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I follow your blog with Google Friends Connect.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

sweetpea said...

i love mysteries where the woman is the detective or the good gal!
those are my favorite books!

sweetpea0861@yahoo.com

sweetpea said...

the books were written years apart but are now a trilogy that you can and should read one after the other.

sweetpea0861@yahoo.com

sweetpea said...

i follow you via gfc as mary

sweetpea0861@yahoo.com

sweetpea said...

i follow you on fb as mary becker

sweetpea0861@yahoo.com

sweetpea said...

i follow you via email

sweetpea0861@yahoo.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/109749683936694273

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I don't think I've read any of Daniel Woodrell's books and can't really think why as this is a type I frequent'y read.

(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

If "narrative helps people think for themselves" then I must be the winner of the "Scarecrow" award.


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Connie said...

Hi! I am excited to read this because this is the same author that wrote "Winter's Bone" that I have wanted to read. I want to see the movie of it as well. Glad to hear that the author only lives a state away from me. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

I am a loyal GFC follower. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

bison61 said...

a new author to me-this book does sound good

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Misusedinnocence said...

This sounds like an interesting read. I love the setting and I'm a big fan of crime novels, this sounds great!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Linda Kish said...

I always like a good crime novel.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am an email subscriber

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 SEPTEMBER FACEBOOK
1
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 SEPTEMBER FACEBOOK
2
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 SEPTEMBER FACEBOOK
3
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 SEPTEMBER FACEBOOK
4
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

+5 SEPTEMBER FACEBOOK
5
lkish77123 at gmail dot com

dag888888 said...

Mystery stories set in the Bayou, I like this series already.

dag888888 said...

Google follower!

dag888888 said...

Checked out the author's website and like the strong detailed Bayou and Cajun atmosphere he has created in his novels!

Jolee said...

The Louisiana area is always interesting and some good crime fiction sounds very appealing at the moment. Thanks!! joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

fan on fb joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

from the website, the dynamics of the father-son relationship sound suspenseful. Thanks! joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

MRWriter said...

It sounds like a gritty series. I'm impressed that he's been compared to Cormac McCarthy. That's a compliment

AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

GFC follower
AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

MRWriter said...

Email subscriber
AlexDean03(at)yahoo.com

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY