Down Town

Although it is set in the South. Locals here think "Down Town" is what is now Fayetteville in GA this book could be about any small town in the U.S. The author has a wonder dry sense of humor that has you laughing out loud at the foibles of the town's characters, especially those of prominence. For anyone who grew up in a small town, you will be able to relate and if you didn't, this will give you insight into how the other half lives.

I was introduced to the writing of Dr. Ferrol Sams through his delightful and thoroughly entertaining trilogy, based on his own life, featuring Porter 'Sambo' Osborne Jr. I was so enthralled by the antics of young Sambo that I purchased all three books so that I could re-read them whenever I want. Dr. Sams' wit and writing style makes me eager to turn each page to learn what outlandish or heartwarming adventure that I will find. For pure reading pleasure, I heartedly recommend the trilogy, Run With the Horsemen, Whisper of the River, and When All the World Was Young. You won't be disappointed.I have read as many of his works as I can find, and I found Down Town a bit different, yet as satisfying, as his other books. It wasn't until the end of the book that the uplifting reason for the title is revealed. I think I would have liked to have lived in that town and known most of the characters.

I started out thinking this book was fun to read and entertaining, but by no means Ferrol Sams greatest. His trilogy beginning with Run With The Horsemen is one of the great works of American Southern Fiction...even if little known. Then I came to the final chapter of Down Town. Suddenly Sams springs the final piece of the puzzle he has been building throughout the book and I realize that it is indeed more of his really great writing, just very subtle and it takes him a whole book to spring it on the reader. One of the very best chapters in American literature! Kind of makes you walk away with your head spinning. Ferrol Sams might just be the most under rated American writer., or perhaps I should say the most undeservedly unknown American writer. Highly recommended.

I had the honor of listening to and then talking to Dr Sams at an AAFP meeting in Kansas City 10 years ago. I had read all of his works. He is one of those authors whose 'voice' you can hear as your read his writings. He has been a family doctor in a small southern town for many years; his observations of humanity cannot be surpassed.My wife read this book and told me that it was unusual. Unlike so many books, it has a very weak plot (if any).But also unlike so many books, it has a fantastic ending. Many authors have a great "idea" and then lose their way and fail at the conclusion. Dr Sams is just the opposite. His ending in this book is extraordinary.I am a fan of Ferrol. He does not disappoint. This novel is littered with colloquialisms! What a true gem!

Typical Sams. I can't read Ferroll Sams and not smile the whole time. This one is no exception. His characters are so quirky that they ~have~ to live somewhere, probably around Fayetteville, where Sams lives. Like his Run with the Horsemen, while he may deny that it's autobiographical, I find that hard to believe. Granted he's not a lawyer--a good thing--as is the owner of the eyes through which the story is seen (he's a doctor in real life), that doesn't make a lot of difference in the narrative, when you come down to it.It's vintage Ferroll Sams. If you like his other work, you'll like this. If not, prolly won't, but then you wouldn't be reading this review if that were the case. Don't miss Beatrice's speech quirks. They're the best. It was occasionally like reading Molly Bloom's rambling thoughts.

The characters and their everyday lives appearing in Down Town are spread across the south in every small town. Dr. Ferrol Sams was blessed with the ability to take the people in his town and give them to us to enjoy as he obviously did as he was growing up. This book has you laughing out loud with the turning of each page leaving you feeling happy and contented. Dr. Sams also wrote three books on a character with the name of Porter Osborne, Jr. This trilogy will always remain in my library along with Down Town and will be reread as the years go by.

Kept thinking the preamble / setup would end and the story would begin but it just never did (well in fairness I quit a little after Half way). Had such high hopes as I thought I had found another gem from this fantastic author. Unfortunately a big, BIG disappointment!

The rural Georgia realism was spot on.