Reviews

Book remembers the '50 and advent of TV

Can we call this a Baptist bildungsroman?  Local author Ken Woodard tells the story of a small-town Southern Baptist as he graduates from high school and finds his first job in the exciting new field of television in "So Long Simpson, Texas.

Woodard starts his novel with a brief foray into the Cretaceous Period, but moves quickly to the 1950s, when Bruce Temple, earning a minimum wage of a dollar an hour, starts work at KCTX-TV without knowing "a pan from a dolly or a tilt from a mike check."

Various television characters undertake his education, and by the time Bruce learns to pull cue cards and run projectors, he's also learned to drink beer with older women, in particular, the blue-eyed blonde promotions director.  Bruce's other adventures in television include caring for a cussing parrot and chauffeuring a naked, drunken, clown named Happy.

Meanwhile, Bruce struggles to stay in college and to maintain his faith.  One of the book's funniest passages occurs at Wednesday night prayer service in the Simpson Baptist Church, when Bruce's younger brother Bobby is called to supply a Bible verse for discussion.  At his Gran'dad's suggestion, he has prepared Proverbs, Chapter 7:  "An' behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart.  She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house.  Now she is without, now in the streets, an' lieth in wait at every corner."

A book on the Dead Sea Scrolls, allegations involving alcohol, and his abrupt firing from the TVstation all act to bring Bruce, if not to maturity, at least to a greater degree of independence.

"So Long Simpson, Texas" makes a fun read, especially if you can remember the '50s and the advent of television to small-town Texas.  The blurb on the back of the book says author Ken Woodard, now retired in Victoria, "spent 20 years in behind-the-camera work for three TV stations in Texas and Mississippi."

He also holds degrees in biology, seems comfortable with geology, and gives some thought to theology.  Occasionally, the pace drags, but Woodard has avoided most mistakes made by first-time writers.

Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. in the Victoria Public Library, Ken Woodard will read from "So Long Simpson, Texas," with a book signing to follow.

The review is by Reese Vaughn, book reviewer for the Victoria Advocate and appeared in her "Books at the Crossroads" column on Oct. 10, 2003.

5 out of 5 stars Great book!, August 10, 2003
Reviewer: A reader from Texas
I enjoyed reading this book as the characters were likable and it was very easy to become emotionally involved in their lives. I especially liked Bruce and worried about him when things were not going as planned in his life. I can't wait to read the next book (I hope there is one) to see what happens to Bruce.

I loved Ken's book.  He is a wonderful writer - the book plays like a movie in my brain.  His words created a visual image for me.  I look forward to the sequel.                              Connie Murry, Stephenville, TX.                                     

 So Long Simpson, Texas   
Cindy
Arkansas  (12/31/2003)

Bruce was reared in an era when young adults still had good manners. He also has a Southern Baptist conscience of which he struggles with while leaving childhood and entering adulthood. With so many decisions to make after graduating high school, new friends enter his life, and a long-time friend re-enters only to stir up the decision-making pot of uncertainties. Ken Woodard brings to us family the way it used to be, the way it should still be, a hard working young man who is determined to make his own way in life, and tons of laughs along the way. His writing style will stir memories of the southern way of life for those of you who were privileged enough to have grown up with the hushed sway of pine trees, and of "chunking" rocks on a hot summers day. I have thoroughly enjoyed Bruce and his friends, his family, the cursing parrot, the predicaments he unwittingly finds himself in, and especially, his grandfather, who encouraged him to embrace life outside the small town of Simpson, Texas. Thank you, Ken Woodard, for a truly great read.