In Tall Cotton

by Charles G. Hulse

Book Overview

In this sensual, beautifully written coming of age tale, debut novelist Charles Hulse transports readers to a time when radios crackled with the sounds of Benny Goodman and the Dorsey Brothers...when ice cream was a rare, hand-churned treat...when destitute Okies traversed Route 66 in search of elusive property...and nobody ever talked about the things a sexually precocious teenage boy might encounter along the way. 'A groundbreaking novel that is...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758201214
• ISBN13: 9780758201218
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Coming of age in The Depression

In the opening pages of Charles Hulse's In Tall Cotton the Woods family suffers a severe tragedy. At the time Carlton Woods, the youngest son is fifteen years old, and it is he that relates the account, and then proceeds to tell the family's story that leads up to that event, starting back when he was about seven or eight years old, in the early 1930s. Carlton, nicknamed Totsy or Tots, is a likeable, bright and lively young boy, of slight build and with blond hair. He has a natural sense of rhythm and loves dancing, something for which he clearly has a remarkable talent, but he is no sissy and is quite able to stand up for himself and fight if necessary. Tots loves and respects his older brother by two years, Junior, and Junior clearly reciprocates those feelings, showing a loving concern and care for his younger sibling. The two boys are very different, compared to Tots' slightness Junior is a born athlete, well built and a star baseball and basketball player, he is also interested in books. But the difference is deeper than that, and is well explained by one character who thinks the world of them, Captain Jones: "Carlton . . . he's sensual . . . physical . . . might even go so far as say sexy. Just watch him when he dances. (Junior) is cerebral, not sensual . . . totally physical in the sense of physical coordination . . ." The story Tots tells shows how his family copes with the difficulties of the time; set in the middle of the Depression they not only have to struggle with the poverty and the scarcity of employment, but also the prejudice as "white trash" from Missouri as they travel West. And travel they do, staying less than a year in most places. We meet the Woods' extended family: grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as the friends Tots makes as they move around. Tots' sensual appeal presents him with a problem; he attracts in a particular way the attention of young boys and girls alike, as well as some men. With his peers it is mostly sexual experimentation, but with men it becomes more worrying. It is a source of guilt for him and the more he enjoys the experiences the more guilty he feels. The difficulties are even more perplexing when it is one of his cousins, Ron, just a few years older, who reveals that he is in love with Tots. I found this a very engaging story, well told, and enlightening as to the conditions of the time in which it is set. The characters are well developed, varied and likeable despite their failings. But it is the two brothers that really shine: watching them grow is a sheer joy as the gradually immerge from their innocence and naivety and learn about, and in Tots case experience, the mysteries of sex. The relationship the two boys enjoy is beautiful depicted, they trust, support, confide in and depend upon each other, but above all they love one another. This is a truly moving, at times funny, coming of age tale that has a ring of truth about it.

Vivid and literary tale that rises above the typical

This book inspires mixed feelings. It presents a detailed, engaging story of what it was like to grow up in the Great Depression and is populated by memorable events and characters. Over the course of the story the narrator, nicknamed Totsy, goes from being 10 years old to 14. The author does a great job of showing how Totsy's way of looking at the world gradually changes as he goes from youngster to teen. We also get to know his family very well, especially his older brother, Junior. These are two brothers who care for one another deeply, something the author communicates to us not merely by asserting as much, but by showing it through realistic dialog and artful descriptions. Junior's clear-headed approach to life provides a realistic counterpoint to Totsy's more sensual one, and there is genuine love between them. The writing captures so many details of life during those difficult times that as you read you can't help but to be amazed at the hardships that such families endured. At the same time there are moments of great joy mixed in with the setbacks, lending an additional sense of realism to the story. Structurally the book begins with what we can tell is a horrible circumstance in the boy's life, then immediately goes back in time to tell what happened in the years leading up to it. Finally, as the book draws to a close, the author returns to the opening scene in the context of everything that has come before. The accumulated insights and sense of the characters makes what seemed horrible before just absolutely devastating in the retelling. The short, final sentence of the book -- an exact repeat of one that we encountered within the first few pages -- lands like a blow to the stomach. It is really quite an astonishing effect. That said, there remains the fact that the book does present some detailed sexual scenes. Totsy's partners run the gammit from girls to boys to male adults. The encounters with Totsy's young cousin and friends involve a sense of play and occasional tenderness, while the ones with adults center around Totsy's confusion, shame and humiliation. The author clearly wants us to understand the horror that Totsy feels over what is clearly molestation of the most debasing sort, yet when you consider that the scenes have been rendered with such lurid detail you have to wonder if there's a more subversive agenda involved. I have no problem with sexual content when it adds meaningfully to a story, but here I have to say that the dissonance brought about by such scenes detracts from what is otherwise a truly great book. The cover photograph on the edition of this book that I read is also completely misleading. Nowhere in the story do we meet any character who even remotely resembles the young man depicted. I can only attribute the choice of cover art to a misguided marketing ploy. Better to include a picture of Totsy and Junior together, for in the end it is their relationship as brothers that makes the book truly soar.

Summary

Charles Hulse debut novel set in Depression era follows teenage Okie as he moves from schoolyard games with other curious boys toa perilous journey traveling Route 66 with his family. An unexpected encounter plunges him into an adult world more alien, more strangely exhilarating, than the ever-changing view beyond his window.

Read this book. Enough said.

Hulse has written a modern masterpiece. His command of tone and mood and language is stunning, and he recreates the turmoil, turbulence and uncertainty of the Great Depression with absolute authority. Readers can see this ragtage family in their dusty jallopy crossing the country in search of opportunities. At the center of the story is Carlton (Totsy), a young boy who comes of age at a time of turmoil for himself and his family. As he explores his place in the world and his budding sexuality, he finds pleasure, amibiguity and heartbreak at every turn. This is one of those few books that you never want to end. I demand a sequel! Do you hear me, Mister Hulse? I demand a sequel!

Dust Bowl Discoveries

This historical novel focuses upon the life of a young migrant during the Depression. His personal odessey and discovery are the "meat" of the story-line, which is rich in historical color and detail. His accounts of Arizona during the '30's makes one relish the equally well described relief which is offered. An engrossing book, which satisfies, and leaves the reader yearning for more about the hero.