Book Reviews

Summers Full of Porch Bull

"Summers Full of Porch Bull", by Mariana Titus --This scrapbook of very specific remembrances will have universal appeal, triggering similar memories in everyone who leafs through its inviting pages.  Photos of people who have crossed the author's path dot the pages, ready to inspire memories of their own, and sentiment flows freely.  As Titus says, 'Love is better than rabbit spaghetti.' "

Judy Johnson, Editor, The Times of Acadiana, December 20, 2000 / vol.21, No.17

www.timesofacadiana.com

Graveyards and Bayou Bars

Colloquial "gumbo" a mix of oral history and photos

Louisianans speak of what they know with voices rich with authenticity

"...Mariana Titus dishes up a spicy gumbo of voices from her girlhood home in Franklin, La.  In their French-smattered drawl, local denizens speak of what they know and their voices are rich with authenticity. 

These people lay out often sweetly startling bits of information:  About love, one woman says, "My oldest son was conceived in the front seat of a '54 Ford.  Maroon, I think." 

Discussing his heritage, a man remarks, "Playin' bourrée and scarfin' down some hoghead cheese...that's livin."

Another comments about the consequences les bons temps. "I was drivin' my van fast-fast around the curve and ran into an okra patch.  My horn is still belchin' out seeds."

One old timer reminisces about his chicken that liked to roost on pool balls.  "We called her Gumbo' cause thas what we was gonna do with her."

Titus punctuates these snatches of oral history with photographs that give the flavor of the place and with engravings of headstones in the cemetery across the street from her mothers' house.  The combination gives you entry into a lively world unlike anything you've encountered.'

Lin Rolens, Correspondent, Santa Barbara News-Press, March 9, 1997

www.newspress.com

"...The book Graveyards and Bayou Bars combines poignant tombstone epitaphs and photographs with equally poignant, and often humorous stories told in bars and on front porches all across south Louisiana.

The short stories, gathered from conversations with people from all walks of  life, run the gamut from hurricane evacuations to divorce miseries.

According to Titus, the idea came about combining two interests --Louisiana graveyards and folks in the region telling stories at bars, on porches , at festivals.  Most are natural storytellers and often even the simplest tale unfolds into a drama."

Titus prefers stories that give the `gift of a valuable lesson.'  Old folks are good with these, but sometimes just a simple exchange between old friends makes a great story."

Lana Downing, Correspondent, Houma Courier, May 1996

"...The unusual combination of two sources of inspiration, Louisiana cemeteries and folks telling stories at bars, on porches and festivals, evolved into her book.  Mariana found that people in this region are mostly natural storytellers.  Often the simplest tale unfolds into a drama, a mini chapter of local history, told concisely and with either pathos or humor...sometimes with both!

...Telling anything effectively in short form takes a lot of thought and considerable talent.  To give a moral or lesson through this formula takes in-depth perception, compassion and an intelligence that sometimes escapes description of analysis.  Then one reads Mariana's book, and it is plain that she has mastered the craft."

Shirley C. Breaux, Editor, Franklin Mainstream, October 1, 1996