Phaedra Parks

On the one hand I feel as if I'm perhaps a bit too stereotypical "northern" to appreciate what Parks is talking about in this book. See seems convinced that girls in the North--or really any part of the US that is not the south--just don't understand how to be a Southern Belle.

She espouses such advice as being unfailingly polite to everyone, even if they are being rude to your face you should give them your brightest smile and be sweet as sugar. A Belle should also never let there be a moment in the conversation that could lead to discomfort. Be it about religion (which you should have! but she doesn't judge you too much if you don't), politics or child raising. A True Southern Belle can keep a conversation going that includes everyone and everyone's beliefs while talking in as banal generalities as possible.

I think somewhere around the halfway point I decided that she couldn't possible be as deadly serious as she seemed. But I think she is.

If you can get past the superiority Parks seems to feel over everybody who is not (and does not want to be) a Southern Belle, there is some good practical advice. Remembering to thank your host or hostess after a dinner or party. Showing proper appreciation when someone goes out of their way for you. Respecting others and their property. This is all sound, common sense, advice.

The more specifics--such as basically owning your own Stationary store or keeping a closet of trinkets/gifts to wrap and hand out on the off chance you need one--is perhaps a bit much. I also don't think you need to play "Oh you" game. I don't advocate calling a neighbor or friend and being like "Hey Jen--mind if I borrow that pan of yours for this party you're not invited to?" I don't think you need to speak for 30 minutes about everything BUT the pan, then hedge around the question for another 10 minutes before spending the remaining 20 effusively thanking the person.

So while this is an interesting book, I think what works best as advice from the book is common sense. Parks' recollections and stories however are genuinely entertaining and if you're fan of hers from the show this will likely please you to no end.… (mehr)

I love watching the crazysauce that is The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Phaedra has always been one of my favorites so I was absolutely thrilled when I saw this book on Netgalley, and it didn't disappoint! Living in the South and being raised by a mother who is a "Southern Belle" in so many ways that I never could be, I enjoyed reading this and comparing it to my life experiences here in the Deep South. I am not personally what I (or for that matter, Phaedra) would consider a Southern Belle but I know more than my fair share of them. It's not as common among people my own age as it is in a generation ahead of me, and I think it is a gradually dying ideal. Still, it was amusing to read her anecdotes and tips (though at times they would directly contradict each other, a few times from one page to the next).

A great read if you enjoy watching Phaedra stay classy on Housewives and want to get some background information on how and why she does it.

Copy courtesy of Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.… (mehr)