Sunday, May 1, 2011

The Creek by J. T. Glisson

            Honestly, when I purchased Glisson’s The Creek, I knew little about it.  I was simply eager to learn more about the people and land of Cross Creek.  The general description on the book seller’s website sounded interesting, and judging from the customer reviews, it was a good story.  I bought it along with a few other rural Florida reads.


 
The Creek is a book of memories from the eyes a young boy, written as a grown man, who grew up next door to Mrs. Rawlings.  Readers are told the tale of young J. T. growing up in rural Florida.  Glisson recounts about the day his family moved to Cross Creek (and those pesky Florida mosquitoes), the medical procedures to fix his clubfeet, fishing in the surrounding lakes, the triumph of breaking his own horse, schooling in Hawthorne, attempts to enlist in the military, and how he handled death within his Cross Creek family. 
Along with his stories of everyday life, the reader also follows the lives of the residents of Cross Creek, namely Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.  “Miz Rawlings” lives next door to the Glisson’s.  She frequently picks fights with J. T.’s father and frequently reconciles just in time to argue again.  We learn of Rawlinigs’ driving habits and walking routines, her love of children and unique ways of living life all through the eyes of a young friend. 
Being involved in the arts, some of my favorite parts of the book concerned J. T. and his interest in the arts.  (J. T. became a successful illustrator and created all of the images for The Creek.)  I recognize his struggle with deciding to pursue art as a career, and I could relate to his emotions as he dealt with his father’s reaction.  I loved reading about his excitement over viewing illustrated books, such as the Yearling, and I was ecstatic to read of young J. T.’s meeting of the illustrator when he visited Cross Creek.  How amazing would that be?
I can see myself picking up Glisson’s The Creek again in the future, just as I would any book by Rawlings.  He gives a unique perspective on the Florida town that I have come to love.  I believe that anyone interested in recent Florida history will quickly fall in love and appreciate the sincerity of the stories captured by Glisson.


3 comments:

  1. Mr. J.T. Glisson has managed to pack a baker's dozen lifetimes of experience onto his 85 years so far.

    His second book "Guardian Angel 911" is as good and maybe even better than "The Creek".

    I have met him and his wonderful wife, Pat, and the two of them have additional adventures enough to fill several more books.

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  2. Thank you for letting me know about the second book! I will make sure that I read it. I feel that he has many good stories to tell.

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  3. I discovered this book at an estate sale that had several (butt not all) of MKR's books that I so dearly love. I bought them all It is an autographed copy too (score!). anyway, I thought, there is a guy tagging in on Ms. Rawlings GREAT BOOK Cross Creek (which I read over and over). By the time I finished it (which didn't take long) I cherished the laughs AND tears it invoked in me. This is real, very well done. I want to live with these people. I love Florida, and this book sits proudly with my Rawlings collection. I can't wait to read it again. Thanks for the blog.
    Bill, NW Florida

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