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The Florida Reader: Visions of Paradise

Jamie Blair

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The Florida Reader is a quarterly literary journal that publishes fiction, poetry, essays, and reviews. Our mission is to showcase the best writing from Florida and the American South. We are committed to publishing diverse voices and perspectives, and to providing a platform for writers to share their work with a wider audience.

The Florida Reader: Visions of Paradise

by Insight Guides

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5307 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	270 pages

We believe that literature has the power to transport us to other worlds, to challenge our assumptions, and to help us understand ourselves and our place in the world. We hope that The Florida Reader will be a source of inspiration and enlightenment for our readers.

In this issue, we are pleased to present a diverse range of work from some of the most talented writers in Florida and the American South. We have fiction by Tim Gatrell, Shannon Ravenel, and James Dusek. We have poetry by Robin Blackburn, Nancy Eimers, and Peter Wild. We have essays by Karen Karbo, Laura Spivey, and Gary Steinberg. And we have reviews by Kathleen Dean Moore, Jonathan Fuller, and Laurie Hall Scott.

We hope you enjoy this issue of The Florida Reader. We invite you to subscribe to our journal and to visit our website for more information about our mission and our work.

Fiction

"The Memory of Water" by Tim Gatrell

A man returns to the Florida Keys to confront the memories of his childhood and the death of his father. But the past is not what he remembers, and the truth is more complicated than he could have ever imagined.

"The Gospel According to Gail" by Shannon Ravenel

A young woman from a small town in the Florida Panhandle travels to New York City to pursue her dreams of becoming a singer. But she soon discovers that the city is not all that it seems, and that her faith is being tested in ways she never expected.

"The Good Samaritan" by James Dusek

A man finds himself stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. He is rescued by a good Samaritan who takes him to his home and cares for him. But the man soon learns that there is more to his savior than meets the eye.

Poetry

"The Night Heron" by Robin Blackburn

The night heron is a solitary bird that haunts the swamps and marshes of Florida. In this poem, the heron becomes a symbol of the poet's own isolation and longing for connection.

"The Everglades" by Nancy Eimers

The Everglades is a vast and mysterious ecosystem that is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. In this poem, the Everglades becomes a metaphor for the poet's own inner world, which is equally vast and mysterious.

"The Keys" by Peter Wild

The Florida Keys are a chain of islands that stretch out into the Gulf of Mexico. In this poem, the Keys become a symbol of the poet's own search for paradise.

Essays

"The Art of Losing" by Karen Karbo

In this essay, Karen Karbo reflects on the death of her husband and the process of grief. She explores the ways in which we can learn to live with loss and find meaning in our lives again.

"The Geography of Home" by Laura Spivey

In this essay, Laura Spivey explores the idea of home. She writes about the places that have shaped her life and the ways in which our sense of home can change over time.

"The Meaning of Paradise" by Gary Steinberg

In this essay, Gary Steinberg reflects on the idea of paradise. He explores the different ways in which we can find paradise in our own lives, and the ways in which paradise can be both a real and a metaphorical place.

Reviews

"The Great Florida Read: A Literary Journey" by Kathleen Dean Moore

Kathleen Dean Moore reviews The Great Florida Read, a statewide book club that selected 25 books that reflect the state's diverse history and culture. Moore argues that the book club is a valuable way to promote reading and literacy, and to foster a sense of community among Floridians.

"The Florida Literary Landscape: An Anthology of Fiction and Poetry" by Jonathan Fuller

Jonathan Fuller reviews The Florida Literary Landscape, an anthology of fiction and poetry by Florida writers. Fuller praises the anthology for its diversity and quality, and argues that it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Florida literature.

"The Everglades: A History and Guide" by Laurie Hall Scott

Laurie Hall Scott reviews The Everglades: A History and Guide, a comprehensive guide to the Everglades ecosystem. Scott praises the book for its thoroughness and accuracy, and argues that it is an essential resource for anyone interested in learning more about the Everglades.

The Florida Reader: Visions of Paradise

by Insight Guides

4.3 out of 5