Moving On

Focusing on the works of Grau, Tyler, and Godwin, Susan S. Kissel shows how these writers portray their white southern women protagonists as “moving on,” with their heroines not only renouncing southern patriarchal tradition but actually establishing independent lives and caring communities. These authors are beginning to close the gap that has existed between themselves and black Southern women writers, whose protagonists have long shown that the strength and independence of female maturity must be synonymous with complete character development.

Focusing on the works of Grau, Tyler, and Godwin, Susan S. Kissel shows how these writers portray their white southern women protagonists as “moving on,” with their heroines not only renouncing southern patriarchal tradition but actually establishing independent lives and caring communities. These authors are beginning to close the gap that has existed between themselves and black Southern women writers, whose protagonists have long shown that the strength and independence of female maturity must be synonymous with complete character development.

Booknews

A critical analysis of Grau, Tyler, and Godwin as representatives of how contemporary white, southern women novelists are evolving from a patriarchal tradition to an independent and communal voice in fiction. Kissel (English, Northern Kentucky U.) compares the authors with black southern women writers who have already created independent and mature protagonists, and with the work of Chopin, McCullers, O'Connor, and Mitchell. She specifically treats each author thematically, detailing tendencies in Grau's work to carry on the tradition of the father, Tyler's "fatherlessness," and Godwin's communal vision. Paper edition (unseen), $19.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)