1954-1972

-cantinwd irqm Ma8 1 Hilda Slocker , Chennault of Carthage, the abthor's cousin. ' Mr. Blocker's book has been a long time in the making. A cornfirmed bachelor and Eng- lish teacher for 20 years, he first started his book in 1950 by jotting down idea?. Months would lapse and then he would "pick it up again." Retiring from school teaching in 1968, he got back to his book and worked on it "about two mon- ths." Finally in 1969, he got down to business "unjumbling the notes and ideas" and spent five weeks writing his novel. The manuscript was then submitted to publishing houses and with three making bids, Blocker signed with Pageant, Inc. April 20 and says he then began worrying because <'my publishers didn't ask for a sin- gle rewrite." "I was worried that all reports were so favor- able," he smiles, "and it looked too good." Publication and sub- sidary rights were, later sold to Vantage Press, Inc. The launching of his first literary offering is an exciting time for Leake's native son, but he has no thought of being a one-book authar. Another novel is outlined and he intends to devote most of his time "to writing stories that will reveal my observations, experiences and conviction in the realms of compulsive human behavior." Taking a cue from this initial book, "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose," one can believe that his time is ripe and we shall

r s o ate This year-

I

1 CountianAuthors Civil War Novel I by- Mildred Dearman Although the printing ink is not yet dry, a Leake countian's first novel seems to be off and running ! the good use he makes of it throughout the story along with his uncanny ability to convey "the exact color and atmos- phere of his setting." populance is more significant. Around this theme, the au- thor has employed a large cast of characters who spring to life under Blocker's pen. He has dealt with his plot skillfully. Rape, lynchings, crimes, fam- ily tragedy and the violence of the times show the keen ob- servance and inventive imagi- nation of the writer. '

The setting will be of particu- lar significance to Leake coun- tians as the author's plantation, Tranquil Acres, is located along the banks of Pearl River at Edinburg. Even the old cov- ered bridge that once spanned the river on Highway 16 is vividly recorded. Blocker has written of the Wadsworth family and planta- tion life in Mississippi in the latter part of the Civil War. It is not a war story, but more a study of the decline of the wealthy landowners mode of living and the rise of the lowcr. working classes. Race relations plays its part, but the changing class role among the white

The author is Fred Ray Bloc- ker of Edinburg and his book, "So Late This Year,::\ds to be introduced to the public this week end. Blocker has been asked by his publishers, Van- tage Press, Inc., to be in New York for personal appearances when the book is launched. The Civil War novel has al- ready won plaudits from pub- ishing reviewers as "exciting, beautiful and above all well written." Author Blocker's writing style is lauded as "Al- most impeccable and definitely in the tradition of the great school of Southern writing." He is further praiscd for his "sense of the dramatic" and

In writing of the change of times, Author Blocker has prefaced each chapter with quotations from the Bible, us- ing Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, a s thc text from which his story unfolcts. In addition, there a r e illustrations throughout the book to point up the story. These illustrations a r e inter- estingly enough executed by another Leake countian, Mrs. -Continued on page 8.