During 150 years of history at the University, many great literary figures have inhabited and studied in Allen Hall.
These same literary figures’ stories are now being taught year after year to each new wave of faces at the University.
Authors like Robert Penn Warren, Walker Percy and James Wilcox are featured in the book “Best of LSU Fiction,” a collection of fiction by authors connected to the University.
The idea for the anthology arose when creative writing instructors and “Best of LSU Fiction” editors Judy Kahn and Nolde Alexius wanted a collection of stories for their students to use, take notes in and hold instead of an electronic version, Alexius said.
Students were inspired by learning their literary history, which includes great writers who attended the University, sat in the same classrooms and took the same English classes, Alexius said.
“I lived in these stories for so long,” Kahn said. “It’s wonderful to have. It turned out so beautiful.”
“The Southern Review,” a literary journal published by the University, published the book in March 2010.
“The Southern Review” was founded by Robert Penn Warren, who Alexius called the University’s greatest contribution to literature.
Warren’s reputation as an editor and writer continues to draw writers and people who enjoy literature to the University, Alexius said.
Not only is Warren the founder of “The Southern Review,” but his story “Blackberry Winter” is the opening work in the collection. As the book progresses, each author draws influences from his or her predecessor beginning with Warren.
Although each author influences the next, the writers stay true to their own voices and styles, Wilcox said.
With James Gordon Bennett’s contemporary view of Baton Rouge, Olympia Vernon’s beautiful poetic language and the realism of Moira Crone’s story, the book provides much diversity and variety, Wilcox said.
“Anybody associated with LSU in any way will be thrilled to see the wild variety and collection of memories that is bound to touch them in different ways,” Wilcox said.
The book should serve as an inspiration to students in any field of study and offer knowledge of the University’s literary heritage, Alexius said.
“The students don’t know about it,” Kahn said. “They know that we have a great football tradition. They know that we have great science departments. I don’t think enough attention is paid to LSU with the humanities.”
Wilcox, director of the University’s creative writing program, wrote the introduction to the book and has a story in the book called “Camping Out.”
The story is a fictional account of a family, similar to Wilcox’s, that is on a camping trip somewhere similar to the Tangipahoa River. Different ideas were put together to get a sense of what Louisiana is like when you are in the countryside, Wilcox said.
“‘Best of LSU Fiction’ shows a little-known side of Louisiana and its flagship university,” Alexius said.
Alexius said a second volume of the book is definite for the future, but her main concern now is marketing the first volume.
Alexius and Kahn hope “Best of LSU Fiction” will serve as inspiration for University students to reach for great achievements and realize that greatness in any field is possible with hard work.
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Contact Ferris W. McDaniel at [email protected]