Short and sweet. I wish I could read it from the point of view of someone living when it was first published (1942); it must have been a bit of pure escape from the terrors of WWII. It's a fable that will seem familiar, but yet its unique qualities will stick with the reader for a long time.
Mixing lore of the South and Grimm's fairytales, Welty provides a vivid storytelling experience. Some will not like the violence or find the humor in poor taste. The moral center is indeed MIA. But, I could not put it down. Welty fearlessly channels a none-too-savory unconscious, with stunningly beautiful language.
This was a good quick read. It brought you into an interresting era.
