Tales Of The Louisiana Bayou

The Louisiana Bayou. It's dark in the bayou and there are strange sounds, cries, glowing lights that drift in the mist, and shadows blacker than night. And black pits of tar from which ungodly horrors crawl. Is it the Swamp Witch or something much darker? Is it voodoo or something inhuman? Some folk whisper of such things, but most stay quiet for fear that something may come for them in the night.

Tales From The Bayou is a compilation of six short stories about South Louisiana, dating from 1814, which was when the Battle of New Orleans was fought, to our modern times. The purpose of the book is to introduce Louisiana culture to those who may not be familiar with this part of America, and to enhance the appreciation of our heritage to local citizens of this very unique region. The book is very special in that it tells the stories of life from a variety of views. From little Cajun boys in the 1930’s and their mischievous antics, the lifelong story of a man of color along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, and of course, the personal tale about Jean Lafitte and his fictitious offspring. The book also tells a heartwarming story from the prospective of a 30-something woman who is the proprietor of the Decator Street Guest House in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It is the author’s desire that all will be entertained, and will enjoy the stories for what they are, and take an inside look at the hopes, the dreams, the triumphs and the failures of his characters.

Grace King's stories offer vivid glimpses into Louisiana's heritage, set in the rural bayou and the lively French Quarter of New Orleans. Born to a prominent family in New Orleans, Grace King nevertheless experienced hardship in the years following the American Civil War. Her character's in these lively stories range from the impoverished to the wealthy and distinguished; the full social strata of Louisiana are depicted as it was in the mid-19th century. With the state's French heritage comes outpourings of patriotism and recollections of Napoleon's glory, while Christian adherence underpins much of the society. Bayou L'Ombre is a story notable for its autobiographical elements and setting during the U.S. Civil War. The confusion and chaos of the time serves as a backdrop to the dramas unfolding in the marshy districts around the family sugar plantation. The occupying federal forces, and rumors of fighting somewhere off in territory further north convey tension, drama and uncertainty.

Only in the Bayou State do Louisianans travel door to door on horseback collecting gumbo ingredients for Mardi Gras gatherings. Residents compete in egg pâquer contests to see who can crack their opponent's Easter egg first. Louisiana is a place where frequent collisions with natural disasters can inspire a drink like Pat O'Brien's famous hurricane. And the state's history is filled with colorful figures like Governor Earl K. Long, whose wife committed him to a mental institution--only for him to use his political pull to inspire his own release. Elsewhere these accounts may seem odd or farfetched, but it all happens in Louisiana. Join author Sam Irwin as he details these intriguing Pelican State stories with pithy observations, humorous asides and droll determinations.

Three tales of Compáere Lapin who practices his tricks among the Creoles and the Cajuns of the Louisiana bayou.

Bayou Folk and A Night in Acadie are short story collections by Louisiana Creole author Kate Chopin. Many of the stories are set in Natchitoches in north-central Louisiana. The characters in stories are usually residents of Louisiana, and many are Creoles of various ethnic or racial backgrounds. Table of Contents: Bayou Folk: A No-Account Creole In and Out of Old Natchitoches In Sabine A Very Fine Fiddle Beyond the Bayou Old Aunt Peggy The Return of Alcibiade A Rude Awakening The Bênitous' Slave Désirée's Baby A Turkey Hunt Madame Célestin's Divorce Love on the Bon-Dieu Loka Boulôt and Boulotte For Marse Chouchoute A Visit to Avoyelles A Wizard from Gettysburg Ma'ame Pélagie At the 'Cadian Ball La Belle Zoraïde A Gentleman of Bayou Têche A Lady of Bayou St. John A Night in Acadie: A Night in Acadie Athénaïse After the Winter Polydore Regret A Matter of Prejudice Caline A Dresden Lady in Dixie Nég Créol The Lilies Azélie Mamouche A Sentimental Soul Dead Men's Shoes At Chênière Caminada Odalie Misses Mass Cavanelle Tante Cat'rinette A Respectable Woman Ripe Figs Ozème's Holiday

"Full of sly wit and Cajun spice." -Scholastic.com The Louisiana version of Br'er Rabbit, Compère Lapin is a mischief maker determined to get the best of Compère Bouki. And Bouki is determined to turn the tables on the lazy critter who keeps tricking him out of his food and crops. But in a trio of stories that praises brains over brawn, this little rascal seems to come out ahead no matter what.