This book was one of my Christmas gifts from Drew’s parents, and I love it a ton, but for some reason haven’t scanned in any of the pictures until now. They are warm weather pictures, anyhow. When I found out that there was a book combining William Faulkner’s writings with William Eggleston’s photos I put it at number one on my Christmas list. I didn’t find out much about William Eggleston until last year (my internet is slow), but I’ve loved (and struggled with) Faulkner’s novels ever since college, when my favorite English professor had us read The Sound and the Fury. I won’t pretend that I understood it. Reading his books makes me tired and sometimes makes me depressed, but there are parts in them that are so beautiful that even I get where he’s coming from, and so I can’t help but like him.
Faulkner’s Mississippi has excerpts from Faulkner novels and stories, and there’s some biographical information on him, and if the photos that run alongside the text don’t always have much to do with the man or his books, there’s definitely a shared feeling about them. Slow, dusty roads, overgrown fields, fading signs, everyday scenes that you probably read too much into, looking for bits of Faulknerian symbolism everywhere . . . . Both men were Mississippians, and in a way the book is kind of a love song for their home state, one I still need to go to. I have all sorts of places to go to on my Mississippi list: Jackson and Oxford, the coast, and all those weird roadside attractions Jamie tells me about.
These are gorgeous. I am such a huge Faulkner fan. Thank you so much for sharing!
My grandmother studied at Ole Miss and took a class from Faulkner when he was the resident author. He gave her a kitten when she dated his nephew.
What! How amazing that she met him!
gorgeous photos! Love the vintage lomo quality of the pics
This book looks wonderful, anything that combines beautiful images and Faulkner is on my list xxx
eggleston is my favorite photographer of all time.
I’m from Mississippi! I currently live like 10 minutes outside of Jackson. Jackson is both lame and amazing. You just have to know what to look for.
The Fondren Art District is a bohemian coffee shop filled area with tons of old buildings from the 1950′s. Go to Brent’s Drugs it’s an old pharmacy turned into a gift shop and diner! Also check out the art galleries and skate shops. Sneaky Beans is an awesome coffee shop that often has live music on their porch or in the back parking lot. That area has about 3 or 4 thrift/vintage stores and antique stores. We have massive arts festivals in Fondren and everyone is more than kind.
Then there’s Downtown Jackson. Downtown is very beautiful, but can be dangerous if you’re not at a bar. Don’t be scared! Just go during the day or use your common sense.
Then there’s lovely Canton! It’s about 15 minutes outside of Jackson past the suburb of Ridgeland and Madison. It’s where they filmed my dog skip! It’s lovely. There’s an old cinema. Old department store. It’s also where we have the film festival. It’s well worth a visit just to look at the beautiful old houses.
As for museums go to The ‘Ag’ricultural museum, the childrens museum, the natural science museum, and any of the old house museums.
Avoid South Jackson if you don’t know people out there (I have friends out there, but sketchy stuff can go down) and DO NOT venture into West Jackson! It’s hooker and drug land.
Starkville is somewhere to visit also! It’s a college town like oxford but its smaller and super cute. I love it! I’ll be transferring to Mississippi State this fall!
don’t be afraid to holler if you have any questions!
jomercedes240@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jo! I’m going to save this info for when I go. I don’t know anything about Jackson except that I want to see Eudora Welty’s house. I’ve pretty much heard the same things about the town as you say, though–that’s it’s good and not good at the same time. I’ll def. avoid West Jackson!
Love your blog and live in Jackson. The Eudora Welty House Museum is fantastic treasure and worth the trip. My favorite part of the tour is seeing the stacks of books she read – perfect inspiration for reader’s block.
thanks for the advice!
J’aime beaucoup cette athmosphère ! i love, it’s very beautiful <3
These photos are breathtaking. I always love the photography work you feature! Thank you so much for the continual inspiration
Such absolutely beautiful pictures! I’m loving the second to last one with the tiny chair and vintage bag.
nice pictures. they really tell a story.