Speak, Memory
Publishers Weekly ran a starred review of my audio version of Mississippi Sissy this week. I spent five days back in the winter reading an abridged version of the book myself and getting in touch with my Juilliard School of Drama roots. It was exhausting but fun as well as artistically fulfilling. When Publishers Weekly puts a red star next to a review it means Attention Must Be Paid. So I’m paying attention. This is what it said:
Kevin Sessums, read by the author. Audio Renaissance, abridged, five CDs, 6 hrs., $29.95 ISBN 978-1-4272-0039-6
As an eight-year-old boy coping with the horrific loss of his parents and a nagging sense of being “different” from his peers in the Mississippi town of Forest, Sessums assumes the persona of What’s My Line panelist Arlene Francis. “Call me Arlene!” he insists, and his grandparents—despite their rather reactionary stances in the realms of politics, religion and sexuality—manage to lovingly comply. In performing his electrifying coming-of-age memoir, Sessums adroitly introduces the cast of characters who shaped his journey. The vocal renderings of such memorable figures as the family’s loving and devoted—as well as self-confident and determined—maid Matty May, who repeatedly recites “Poitier” as a mantra in the days and weeks following Sidney Poitier’s 1963 Oscar win, resonate with remarkable clarity. Listeners accustomed to contemporary autobiographical titles should be forewarned that they are entering unapologetic gothic territory akin to that of Eudora Welty (a friend and mentor to Sessums) or even Flannery O’Connor. Raw human emotions of love and hate play starring roles, refusing to remain mere stage props. Simultaneous release with the St. Martin’s hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 6). (Mar.)
March 30th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Having attended Kevin’s reading session last night at the Jefferson Parish Public Library in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, I am looking forward to hearing the audio version of “Mississippi Sissy”. Kevin’s audiobook, I suspect, is quite a departure from the ones I used to listen to back in the day when I used to drive an hour plus commuting from Ft. Worth to Las Colinas (Dallas) when I worked for “Dr. Phil”. Back then I’d listened to Kitty Kelly’s “The Royals” or Jimmy Carter among others. But with Kevin’s theatrical training from New Stage to Julliard, my guess is his audio rendering could possibly redefine the concept of the audiobook entirely. I mean last night, his dramatic reading of an abridged version of his Halloween story was electrifying. I felt a plethora of emotions from the whole experience.
Thank you, Kevin for sharing the early years of your journey with us so powerfully. I wish you great success in your climb up the NY Times Best Seller’s List and look forward to hearing the audio version.
Bobby
March 30th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Just finished the audio book and love the way your perform the reading…makes for such a great book! Best audio since D. Sedaris. You’re an inspiration to all of us writers out here.
March 30th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Kevin,
Just finished the book and loved it. Thank you for being brave enough to write your entire perspective about the South at the time. My parents often get tight-lipped about their experiences during the era, and I’ve always wondered about the perspectives of their white contemporaries. If you haven’t already, check out “Sons of Mississippi” by Paul Hendrickson. I think it does a similar thing. Hope all is well.
Fred McKindra
March 30th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
After attending Kevin’s talk at the Jefferson Parish Library, I was awestruck at this man’s talent in life and literature. Staying up till 4 a.m. to finish reading the book I experienced an emotional tour-de-force leading me to laugh and cry while reading the same page. Additionally, your reading at the library was so enjoyable that I found myself ordering the audiobook simply to again capture your “voice” that permeates the book.
Growing up as a gay man in the south, many of the themes of the book resonated with my life, and while not enduring the many trials and tribulations of your youth, I felt a kind of connection that I have rarely been able to experience in any other book.
After reading the parochial, “catty” review from the NYT, I agreed with only one line in the review, the last one. I think that this book would translate exquisitely into a feature film or mini-series especially if the delivery is even a shadow of what I saw last night.
During the presentation Kevin asked if everyone knew about Arlene Francis. While the rest of the audience was familiar with this woman, my companion, Vincenzo, and I, being of the younger persuasion, informed him we had no clue. I went home and spent over an hour researching who this person was and now we have a new “female hero.” Thanks for turning another generation of gay men on to this great woman of style.
Kudos for such an excellent book. I have already ordered 5 more for friends and family. Maybe I’ll get to see you again one day in the French Quarter and this Louisiana Limp wrist can get the Mississippi Sissy a drink.
-Cy
March 30th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
just finished reading your book to page 226… i am mad now!! mad at me, mad at god and mad at you…..
March 30th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
kevin sessums is leaving the south or my part of it over the weekend. He was like Halley’s Comet coming through. It was spectacular. Not often enough do we have shamen such as himself posturing themself among us. I love New York, only been a time or two. We’re unto our own, I guess; some of us are a quiet people. I’ll read his blogs & keep up that way. Some people open old wounds. Kevin is kind of like a miracle man. He will be missed
March 31st, 2007 at 3:18 pm
oh the things we would like to say, don
April 12th, 2007 at 11:56 am
I had the honor of editing and mastering the Mississippi Sissy audiobook and out of the hundreds of titles I’ve worked on it is one of my top five favorites. The majority of the authors who read their own books do not possess the skill or courage to resurrect painful memories and let loose the way Kevin did. Most of them are too concerned with reading the words correctly and frankly seem like they can’t wait to get out of the recording booth. Kevin doesn’t just read the book, he performs it, and it’s thrilling to listen to. Even if you’ve already read the book it’s worth experiencing the stories again through Kevin’s voice.
My only complaint is that they only released an abridged version!