Sweet Southern Comforts (Noodling for Flatheads - Burkhard Bilger)

Member Name: Puggers

Product:	Noodling for Flatheads - Burkhard Bilger
Date:	23/04/09 (257 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Intriguing, unusual, often plain weird, engagingly written.

Disadvantages: Not totally consistent in quality.

What do Squirrel Brains taste like, and what's the best way to prepare them? How can I improve my rolley-holing technique or indulge in a spot of cooning? What's the best time to go noodling - and is it really for me?
If you've ever asked these questions (and haven't we all at some point?), Buckhard Bilger's Noodling for Catfish is a good place to start. Possibly the only place outside the southern states of America. For the stories contained in this fine collection are not those that make up the everyday image of the US, the one projected out across the world in all its pervasive, persuasive glory. Just as England is as well defining by cheese-rolling and summer fetes as it is by London buses and stiff upper lips, so the true nature of America is part the well-documented aspects we are so familiar with, part those curious sub-cultures Bilger explores here.

Noodling for Flatheads; Moonshine, monster catfish and other southern comforts; Travels in the American South (to give the book its full, rather snappy title) is a collection of eight stories in which the author goes in search of some of the lesser-known, often slightly outdated pastimes that exist amongst the Southern states of the US. Whether these are practises especially particular to the region, held onto fervently where they've elsewhere been allowed to fade away, or whether they exist everywhere, it's hard to say - although there does seem to be a certain common flavour to the accounts and the people who provide the anecdotes.

Some of the pastimes are harmless, enjoyed by a particular group - rolley-holing (marbles) or frog-farming, for instance. Others, however, are more controversial, left behind by current beliefs and standards; cockfighting and the consumption of squirrel brains are certainly two of these. Others still are weird, dangerous and illegal - moonshining and the noodling of the title (fishing with bare hands, trying to encourage the fish - but hopefully nothing with too strong a bite - to nibble your fingers, and be hooked out).

In each case, Bilger adopts a consistent tone; strong enough to participate in the story and bring it alive, but not so intrusive as to weigh it down with his opinions. He prefers to facilitate the telling of the story via those who are involved in the activities and traditions he describes. Typically, he tracks down a small group of people for whom the pastimes hold particular significance, and who are happy to take him along with them and discuss their experiences of the subject.

Bilger's writing style is relaxed and easy to read; not heavily littered with jokes, but with plenty of gentle humour and amusing observations. His narration is compared to Bill Bryson's by Arena in one of the testimonies adorning the back cover - it's generally all too easy to draw this comparison when discussing just about any light-hearted travel writer, and the supposed similarities are too often inaccurate, but in this, it's a fair one. Bilger has plenty of his own style - he's an accomplished author, and is in no way derivative, but if you enjoy Bryson's way with words and ability to draw out the inherent humour in every situation, you'll appreciate the easy-going manner of Noodling for Flatheads.

There aren't any stand-out aspects of the book that fall on the negative side - perhaps if you feel strongly about practises such as cockfighting, you'll feel uncomfortable with Bilger's lack of condemnation of the pursuit. However, I don't think his opinion is necessary; his presentation of the facts and realities of the fights offer far more than a straightforward polemic could. Throughout, this balanced, non-judgemental tone allows a genuine, clear picture to emerge. Doubtless, there's a place for discussion and debate on some of the issues raised, but Bilger's decision not to make this book that place is one that benefits Noodling for Flatheads tremendously. It's also true that not all of the eight stories are as strong as each other - some are fantastic, most are very good, but one or two are a little weak and lack as strong and clear a direction. However, this is the nature of this kind of book - a collection of tales such as these, filled with such a range of characters and subjects, are never going to be especially uniform.

There are no end of books on the United States, many outstanding ones amongst them - and this book deserves its place amongst them. It's not an exhaustive account on any one thing or any particular region; instead it's a window into some of the aspects of the country which tend to be forgotten about and glossed over. A swift, easy, engaging read, Bilger's narrative forms an excellent 'don't try this at home' travelogue, and paints a warm, curious picture of the American South and those who would Noodle.

Summary: An amusing profile of the curiosities that hide away in the American South.