Major Issues
Author Links
Essay Questions

Major Issues

Fred Chappell’s ongoing poetic and fictional contemplation of the landscape, people, and culture of his Appalachian Mountain home has inevitably lead to a discussion of him as a Southern regionalist and a comparison of his work with that of other major Southern writers. Many reviewers remark on Chappell’s versatility, and point to his incorporation of elements from fantasy, horror, Southern tall tale, historical fiction, and surrealism. Critics note his penchant for dark subjects, such as physical and mental torture; however, the humorous features of his work have also been examined. It has been suggested that Chappell’s fiction presents a sophisticated psychological and philosophical exploration of the human condition. His themes include desire, justice, lost innocence, and spirituality.

Author Links

Online Resources on Fred Chappell
Well-organized list of links to works by and about Chappell available on-line, including lectures, biographies, reviews, and bibliographies.

Southern Stories
Discussion of Chappell’s "Ancestors" in context of Southern fiction.

Fred Chappell
Short critical biography of Chappell, followed by list of primary works.

Fred Chappell Bibliography
A well organized bibliography of Carver’s primary works, including photos of original dust jacket covers.