Description: A collection of auto-biographical essays about Morris returning to his native Mississippi after living and working in New York City and Long Island. The final essay, "Coming On Back," is about Morris' becoming writer in residence at the University of Mississippi in 1980.
Brief description: Willie Morris (1934-1999) attended the University of Texas, studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar, returned to Texas as the editor of The Texas Observer, and served as Editor-in-Chief of Harper's from 1967 to 1971. From 1980-1990 he served as writer-in-residence at the University of Mississippi.
Review Quotes:
What American writer has command of the essay form to equal Willie Morris? He's in a class by himself. (Southern Living)
Between our cradles and graves which often lie in the same place, we make other homes for our hearts; these terrains enlarge us as people but only clarify further the values the home instilled within us. And Willie Morris, in returning to Mississippi and collecting these essays on his native soil and all significant terrains and people in between, has given us all reason to pause and consider our roots. (Best Sellers)
A broad panorama of writing on people, politics, sports, work, study, love, family, home that is almost unvaryingly heart tugging and mind holding. (The Houston Post)
The temptation will be strong to take Terrains of the Heart in huge gulps. Resist it, for this is a book to savor, to reflect on, to return to over the years when home is nearby, or when the very idea of it seems far, far away. (Richmond News Leader)
These essays make hard claim on the reader's heart. (Los Angeles Times)