Lewis_NP1 Nordan_NP1 Although_CS all_DB of_IO Lewis_NP1 Nordan_NP1 's_GE major_JJ works_NN have_VH0 been_VBN written_VVN since_CS he_PPHS1 moved_VVD to_II Pittsburgh_NP1 in_II 1983_MC ,_, he_PPHS1 is_VBZ consistently_RR identified_VVN as_II a_AT1 Southern_JJ writer_NN1 ._. 
Most_DAT of_IO his_APPGE fiction_NN1 is_VBZ set_VVN in_II Mississippi_NP1 ,_, usually_RR in_II the_AT fictional_JJ town_NN1 of_IO Arrow_NN1 Catcher_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 is_VBZ often_RR compared_VVN to_II William_NP1 Faulkner_NP1 and_CC Flannery_NP1 O'Connor_NP1 ;_; and_CC his_APPGE work_NN1 employs_VVZ elements_NN2 identified_VVN with_IW the_AT Southern_JJ literary_JJ tradition_NN1 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 the_AT use_NN1 of_IO the_AT grotesque_NN1 and_CC an_AT1 obsession_NN1 with_IW figuring_VVG out_RP the_AT past_NN1 ._. 
Nordan_NN1 himself_PPX1 does_VDZ not_XX fully_RR embrace_VVI the_AT Southern_JJ label_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 has_VHZ said_VVN that_CST "_" Southernness_NP1 ..._... is_VBZ almost_RR a_AT1 genre_NN1 ,_, and_CC could_VM be_VBI even_RR considered_VVN a_AT1 limiting_JJ genre_NN1 "_" (_( Bjerre_NP1 )_) ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 has_VHZ commented_VVN that_CST he_PPHS1 finds_VVZ it_PPH1 discouraging_VVG to_TO be_VBI compared_VVN to_II O'Connor_NP1 ._. 
Though_CS Nordan_NP1 's_GE work_NN1 differs_VVZ from_II O'Connor_NP1 's_VBZ in_II theme_NN1 and_CC other_JJ significant_JJ ways_NN2 ,_, his_APPGE stories_NN2 and_CC novels_NN2 invite_VV0 the_AT comparison_NN1 because_II21 of_II22 the_AT preponderance_NN1 of_IO freaks_NN2 ,_, physical_JJ deformities_NN2 ,_, dead_JJ bodies_NN2 ,_, and_CC dismemberments_NN2 ._. 
The_AT freaks_NN2 and_CC grotesque_JJ elements_NN2 in_II Nordan_NP1 's_GE fiction_NN1 point_NN1 to_II one_MC1 of_IO his_APPGE central_JJ themes_NN2 --_JJ alienation_NN1 and_CC isolation_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 alienation_NN1 is_VBZ most_RGT often_RR embodied_VVN in_II conflicted_JJ or_CC distant_JJ relationships_NN2 between_II fathers_NN2 and_CC sons_NN2 ._. 
Reviews_NN2 and_CC critical_JJ studies_NN2 of_IO Nordan_NP1 's_GE work_NN1 often_RR comment_VV0 on_II the_AT musical_JJ quality_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE language_NN1 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 the_AT importance_NN1 of_IO music_NN1 ,_, particularly_RR blues_NN2 ,_, to_II the_AT development_NN1 of_IO character_NN1 and_CC theme_NN1 in_II his_APPGE work_NN1 ._. 
Lewis_NP1 Alonzo_NP1 Nordan_NP1 was_VBDZ born_VVN 23_MC August_NPM1 1939_MC in_II Jackson_NP1 ,_, Mississippi_NP1 ,_, and_CC grew_VVD up_RP in_II the_AT small_JJ town_NN1 of_IO Itta_NP1 Bena_NP1 ,_, Mississippi_NP1 ._. 
His_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, Sara_NP1 Hightower_NP1 Nordan_NP1 ,_, was_VBDZ a_AT1 high-school_JJ teacher_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, Lemuel_NP1 Alonzo_NP1 Nordan_NP1 ,_, died_VVD when_RRQ Lewis_NP1 was_VBDZ eighteen_MC months_NNT2 old_JJ ,_, and_CC his_APPGE mother_NN1 later_RRR married_VVD Gilbert_NP1 Russell_NP1 Bayles_NP2 ,_, a_AT1 housepainter_NN1 ._. 
Nordan_NP1 's_GE family_NN1 and_CC childhood_NN1 friends_NN2 called_VVN him_PPHO1 Buddy_NP1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 has_VHZ continued_VVN to_TO be_VBI known_VVN by_II this_DD1 nickname_NN1 through_II his_APPGE adult_NN1 life_NN1 ._. 
Nordan_NP1 's_GE fiction_NN1 is_VBZ highly_RR autobiographical_JJ ,_, and_CC the_AT childhood_NN1 influence_VV0 that_CST appears_VVZ most_RGT prominently_RR in_II his_APPGE work_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT sense_NN1 of_IO loss_NN1 and_CC fatherlessness_NN1 that_CST Nordan_NP1 experienced_VVD as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 of_IO the_AT early_JJ death_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE biological_JJ father_NN1 and_CC the_AT alcoholism_NN1 and_CC emotional_JJ distance_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE stepfather_NN1 ._. 
Other_JJ aspects_NN2 of_IO Nordan_NP1 's_GE early_JJ life_NN1 that_CST are_VBR evident_JJ in_II his_APPGE work_NN1 are_VBR his_APPGE interest_NN1 in_II blues_NN2 music_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE struggle_NN1 to_TO understand_VVI race_NN1 relations_NN2 in_II the_AT South_ND1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 young_JJ adult_NN1 ,_, Nordan_NP1 's_GE desire_NN1 to_II distance_NN1 himself_PPX1 from_II Mississippi_NP1 led_VVD to_II his_APPGE enlistment_NN1 in_II the_AT U.S._NP1 Navy_NN1 ,_, where_CS he_PPHS1 served_VVD from_II 1958_MC to_II 1960_MC after_II graduating_VVG from_II high_JJ school_NN1 ._. 
Afterward_RL ,_, he_PPHS1 returned_VVD to_II Mississippi_NP1 and_CC enrolled_VVN in_II Millsaps_NP1 College_NN1 in_II Jackson_NP1 ._. 
While_CS at_II Millsaps_NP1 ,_, he_PPHS1 met_VVD his_APPGE first_MD wife_NN1 ,_, Mary_NP1 Mitman_NP1 ,_, and_CC the_AT two_MC were_VBDR married_JJ on_II 28_MC April_NPM1 1962_MC ._. 
Nordan_NP1 graduated_VVD with_IW a_AT1 B.A._NN1 from_II Millsaps_NP1 in_II 1963_MC and_CC began_VVD a_AT1 short_JJ career_NN1 as_II a_AT1 high-school_JJ English_JJ teacher_NN1 in_II Titusville_NP1 ,_, Florida_NP1 ._. 
After_II two_MC years_NNT2 ,_, Nordan_NP1 decided_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ not_XX well_RR suited_VVN to_II teaching_VVG high_JJ school_NN1 and_CC returned_VVN to_TO graduate_VVI school_NN1 at_II Mississippi_NP1 State_NN1 University_NN1 ,_, where_CS he_PPHS1 received_VVD his_APPGE M.A._NN1 in_II English_NN1 in_II 1966_MC ._. 
He_PPHS1 continued_VVD his_APPGE graduate_NN1 studies_NN2 at_II Auburn_JJ University_NN1 and_CC earned_VVD a_AT1 Ph.D_NP1 ._. 
in_II English_NN1 in_II 1973_MC ,_, writing_VVG his_APPGE dissertation_NN1 on_II Shakespeare_NP1 's_GE dramatic_JJ poetry_NN1 ._. 
During_II Nordan_NP1 's_GE years_NNT2 as_II a_AT1 graduate_NN1 student_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE wife_NN1 ,_, Mary_NP1 ,_, gave_VVD birth_NN1 to_II the_AT couple_NN1 's_GE three_MC sons_NN2 ,_, Russell_NP1 Ammon_NP1 ,_, John_NP1 Robert_NP1 ,_, and_CC Lewis_NP1 Eric_NP1 ._. 
The_AT second_MD son_NN1 ,_, John_NP1 Robert_NP1 ,_, died_VVD only_JJ hours_NNT2 after_II his_APPGE birth_NN1 ._. 
Nordan_NN1 has_VHZ explained_VVN in_II interviews_NN2 that_CST ,_, in_II retrospect_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 believes_VVZ that_CST the_AT unburied_JJ bodies_NN2 that_CST appear_VV0 in_II some_DD of_IO his_APPGE early_JJ stories_NN2 were_VBDR one_MC1 manifestation_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE failure_NN1 to_TO grieve_VVI for_IF his_APPGE infant_NN1 son_NN1 at_II the_AT time_NNT1 of_IO his_APPGE death_NN1 ._. 
In_II31 addition_II32 to_II33 unresolved_JJ grief_NN1 ,_, this_DD1 period_NN1 of_IO Nordan_NP1 's_GE life_NN1 was_VBDZ complicated_VVN by_II job_NN1 uncertainty_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 developing_JJ alcohol_NN1 problem_NN1 ._. 
Though_CS he_PPHS1 found_VVD work_NN1 as_II an_AT1 English_JJ instructor_NN1 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Georgia_NP1 ,_, Nordan_NP1 was_VBDZ not_XX able_JK to_TO secure_VVI a_AT1 tenure-track_JJ university_NN1 position_NN1 in_II his_APPGE field_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE wife_NN1 offered_VVD to_TO work_VVI full-time_JJ to_TO support_VVI the_AT family_NN1 so_CS Nordan_NP1 could_VM devote_VVI himself_PPX1 to_II writing_NN1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 entered_VVD the_AT M.F.A._NP1 program_NN1 in_II fiction_NN1 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Arkansas_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 dropped_VVD out_RP within_II the_AT first_MD year_NNT1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT experience_NN1 brought_VVD him_PPHO1 into_II contact_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 writing_NN1 community_NN1 that_CST helped_VVD him_PPHO1 develop_VVI his_APPGE craft_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT late_JJ 1970s_MC2 ,_, Nordan_NP1 began_VVD to_TO publish_VVI his_APPGE short_JJ stories_NN2 in_II both_DB2 literary_JJ journals_NN2 and_CC national_JJ magazines_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE work_NN1 appeared_VVD in_II Greensboro_NP1 Review_NP1 ,_, Southern_JJ Review_NN1 ,_, Redbook_NP1 ,_, Harper_NP1 's_GE ,_, and_CC Playgirl_NP1 ,_, and_CC in_II 1977_MC he_PPHS1 won_VVD the_AT John_NP1 Gould_NP1 Fletcher_NP1 award_NN1 for_IF fiction_NN1 for_IF his_APPGE short_JJ story_NN1 "_" Rat_NN1 Song_NN1 ,_, "_" published_VVN in_II Harper_NP1 's_GE ._. 
Music_NN1 of_IO the_AT Swamp_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 hybrid_JJ book_NN1 ,_, referred_VVN to_II by_II various_JJ critics_NN2 as_II a_AT1 short-story_JJ collection_NN1 or_CC a_AT1 novel-in-stories_NN2 ,_, and_CC labeled_VVD simply_RR a_AT1 novel_NN1 on_II the_AT cover_NN1 of_IO the_AT trade-paper_JJ edition_NN1 ._. 
The_AT book_NN1 received_VVD positive_JJ reviews_NN2 and_CC invited_VVD scholarly_JJ attention_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ awarded_VVN the_AT Mississippi_NP1 Institute_NN1 of_IO Arts_NN2 and_CC Letters_NN2 Award_NN1 for_IF Fiction_NN1 and_CC an_AT1 American_JJ Library_NN1 Association_NN1 Notable_JJ Book_NN1 citation_NN1 ._. 
The_AT ten_MC self-contained_JJ stories_NN2 in_II the_AT book_NN1 all_DB present_VV0 the_AT same_DA protagonist_NN1 ,_, Sugar_NP1 Mecklin_NP1 ,_, and_CC all_DB continue_VV0 the_AT exploration_NN1 of_IO the_AT father-son_JJ relationship_NN1 between_II Sugar_NN1 and_CC Gilbert_NP1 Mecklin_NP1 that_CST began_VVD in_II The_AT All-Girl_JJ Football_NN1 Team_NN1 ._. 
Gilbert_NP1 Mecklin_NP1 is_VBZ often_RR gentle_JJ ,_, occasionally_RR even_RR affectionate_JJ ,_, but_CCB almost_RR always_RR drunk_JJ and_CC emotionally_RR distant_JJ ,_, leaving_VVG Sugar_NN1 desperate_JJ to_TO figure_VVI out_RP his_APPGE place_NN1 in_II the_AT world_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE identity_NN1 as_II a_AT1 man_NN1 ._. 
Much_DA1 of_IO this_DD1 tension_NN1 is_VBZ inspired_VVN by_II Nordan_NP1 's_GE own_DA relationship_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE stepfather_NN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 is_VBZ quick_JJ to_TO point_VVI out_RP that_CST he_PPHS1 does_VDZ not_XX identify_VVI only_RR with_IW the_AT son_NN1 ,_, saying_VVG ,_, "_" sometimes_RT I_PPIS1 'm_VBM the_AT father_NN1 and_CC sometimes_RT I_PPIS1 'm_VBM the_AT son_NN1 ...._... 
I_PPIS1 've_VH0 been_VBN both_RR the_AT son_NN1 of_IO the_AT alcoholic_NN1 and_CC the_AT alcoholic_JJ father_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT importance_NN1 of_IO storytelling_NN1 remains_VVZ a_AT1 significant_JJ theme_NN1 in_II Music_NN1 of_IO the_AT Swamp_NN1 ,_, and_CC this_DD1 book_NN1 develops_VVZ another_DD1 of_IO Nordan_NP1 's_GE core_NN1 themes_NN2 --_NN1 an_AT1 obsession_NN1 with_IW death_NN1 and_CC the_AT intertwining_JJ of_IO death_NN1 and_CC sex_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT story_NN1 "_" A_ZZ1 Hank_NN1 of_IO Hair_NN1 ,_, A_ZZ1 Piece_NN1 of_IO Bone_NN1 ,_, "_" eleven-year-old_NN1 Sugar_NN1 Mecklin_NP1 buys_VVZ a_AT1 small_JJ ,_, collapsible_JJ military_JJ shovel_NN1 at_II a_AT1 junk_NN1 store_NN1 ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 tells_VVZ his_APPGE father_NN1 about_II his_APPGE purchase_NN1 ,_, Gilbert_NP1 responds_VVZ by_II saying_VVG ,_, "_" The_AT Delta_NN1 is_VBZ filled_VVN up_RP with_IW death_NN1 ._. "_" 
Although_CS the_AT adult_NN1 Sugar_NN1 narrating_VVG the_AT story_NN1 recognizes_VVZ that_CST this_DD1 was_VBDZ simply_RR the_AT drunken_JJ comment_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 depressed_JJ man_NN1 ,_, the_AT child_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 summer_NNT1 is_VBZ deeply_RR affected_VVN :_: "_" The_AT Delta_NN1 was_VBDZ filled_VVN up_RP with_IW death_NN1 ._. 
The_AT information_NN1 came_VVD like_II a_AT1 summons_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 moral_JJ imperative_NN1 to_TO search_VVI ._. "_" 
After_CS this_DD1 interaction_NN1 ,_, Sugar_NN1 becomes_VVZ obsessed_JJ with_IW digging_JJ holes_NN2 ,_, especially_RR in_II the_AT crawl_NN1 space_NN1 under_II the_AT family_NN1 home_RL ._. 
One_MC1 day_NNT1 Sugar_NN1 discovers_VVZ something_PN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 believes_VVZ to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 glass_NN1 coffin_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 dead_JJ woman_NN1 inside_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 becomes_VVZ haunted_JJ by_II this_DD1 figure_NN1 and_CC fantasizes_VVZ a_AT1 romantic_JJ relationship_NN1 with_IW her_PPHO1 ._. 
Immediately_RR after_CS he_PPHS1 discovers_VVZ and_CC reburies_VVZ this_DD1 mysterious_JJ object_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 goes_VVZ into_II his_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE room_NN1 to_TO steal_VVI two_MC condoms_NN2 and_CC two_MC bullets_NN2 ._. 
Awareness_NN1 of_IO death_NN1 and_CC initiation_NN1 into_II sexual_JJ knowledge_NN1 are_VBR combined_VVN in_II this_DD1 one_MC1 experience_NN1 ._. 
Sugar_NN1 ,_, as_CSA the_AT narrator_NN1 ,_, acknowledges_VVZ several_DA2 times_NNT2 throughout_II the_AT story_NN1 that_CST this_DD1 crucial_JJ experience_NN1 is_VBZ in_II itself_PPX1 just_RR a_AT1 story_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 is_VBZ not_XX really_RR sure_JJ whether_CSW it_PPH1 actually_RR happened_VVD or_CC not_XX ,_, but_CCB that_DD1 does_VDZ not_XX limit_VVI the_AT impact_NN1 on_II his_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
In_II "_" Porpoises_NN2 and_CC Romance_NN1 "_" a_AT1 young_JJ Sugar_NN1 has_VHZ a_AT1 simultaneous_JJ and_CC somewhat_RR traumatic_JJ introduction_NN1 to_II both_RR sex_NN1 and_CC death_NN1 when_CS he_PPHS1 is_VBZ taken_VVN along_RP on_II his_APPGE parents_NN2 '_GE ill-fated_JJ second_MD honeymoon_NN1 ._. 
Gilbert_NP1 decides_VVZ to_TO take_VVI his_APPGE wife_NN1 to_II the_AT Gulf_NP1 Coast_NN1 after_II a_AT1 hurricane_NN1 ,_, because_CS beach_NN1 rentals_NN2 are_VBR so_RG inexpensive_JJ ._. 
In_II his_APPGE attempts_NN2 to_TO rekindle_VVI the_AT romance_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE wife_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 follows_VVZ the_AT advice_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 romance_NN1 magazine_NN1 ,_, including_II the_AT idea_NN1 of_IO acting_VVG out_RP sexual_JJ fantasy_NN1 games_NN2 ._. 
Sugar_NN1 reads_VVZ the_AT magazine_NN1 and_CC knows_VVZ what_DDQ his_APPGE parents_NN2 are_VBR doing_VDG :_: "_" Daddy_NN1 tied_VVD Mama_NN1 to_II the_AT bed_NN1 posts_NN2 with_IW four_MC silk_NN1 ties_VVZ he_PPHS1 had_VHD brought_VVN along_RP ,_, just_RR for_IF the_AT purpose_NN1 ._. 
Yikes_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 found_VVD the_AT ties_NN2 still_RR dangling_VVG there_RL like_II dogs_NN2 with_IW their_APPGE tongues_NN2 hanging_VVG out_RP ,_, one_MC1 morning_NNT1 ...._... 
Well_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 ,_, you_PPY know_VV0 ._. 
Suicide_NN1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT thoughts_NN2 I_PPIS1 had_VHD ._. "_" 
Gilbert_NP1 also_RR takes_VVZ the_AT magazine_NN1 's_GE suggestion_NN1 to_TO find_VVI a_AT1 "_" metaphor_NN1 for_IF romance_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 decides_VVZ on_II porpoises_NN2 and_CC begins_VVZ to_TO search_VVI for_IF them_PPHO2 during_II family_NN1 walks_VVZ on_II the_AT beach_NN1 ._. 
Eventually_RR ,_, porpoises_NN2 do_VD0 arrive_VVI ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 come_VV0 in_II a_AT1 terrifying_JJ form_NN1 :_: "_" It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 porpoise_NN1 infestation_NN1 ._. 
The_AT incredible_JJ school_NN1 of_IO bluefish_NN1 had_VHD attracted_VVN a_AT1 hundred_NNO or_CC more_DAR dolphins_NN2 ,_, two_MC hundred_NNO maybe_RR ...._... 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR crazed_JJ ._. 
Maybe_RR still_RR psychotic_JJ from_II the_AT effects_NN2 of_IO the_AT hurricane_NN1 ...._... 
The_AT carnage_NN1 was_VBDZ spectacular_JJ ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR dead_JJ fish_NN everywhere_RL ._. "_" 
The_AT title_NN1 of_IO Music_NN1 of_IO the_AT Swamp_NN1 also_RR illustrates_VVZ the_AT strong_JJ presence_NN1 and_CC influence_NN1 of_IO music_NN1 in_II this_DD1 and_CC almost_RR all_DB of_IO Nordan_NP1 's_GE work_NN1 ._. 
Blues_NN2 music_NN1 is_VBZ prominent_JJ in_II many_DA2 scenes_NN2 ,_, especially_RR when_CS Gilbert_NP1 Mecklin_NP1 is_VBZ sitting_VVG in_II his_APPGE room_NN1 ,_, drinking_VVG and_CC listening_VVG to_II Bessie_NP1 Smith_NP1 records_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ Sugar_NN1 refers_VVZ to_II as_CSA his_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE "_" wrist-cutting_JJ music_NN1 ._. "_" 
Literary_JJ scholars_NN2 have_VH0 argued_VVN that_DD1 music_NN1 has_VHZ a_AT1 direct_JJ structural_JJ and_CC stylistic_JJ imprint_NN1 on_II Nordan_NP1 's_GE work_NN1 ,_, often_RR commenting_VVG on_II the_AT lyricism_NN1 and_CC rhythm_NN1 of_IO Nordan_NP1 's_GE language_NN1 ._. 
Edward_NP1 Dupuy_NP1 has_VHZ suggested_VVN that_CST the_AT opening_NN1 story_NN1 in_II the_AT book_NN1 "_" serves_VVZ as_II a_AT1 type_NN1 of_IO overture_NN1 to_II the_AT opera_NN1 that_CST follows_VVZ ...._... 
Like_II an_AT1 overture_NN1 to_II a_AT1 larger_JJR musical_JJ piece_NN1 ,_, then_RT ,_, the_AT first_MD section_NN1 can_VM be_VBI seen_VVN as_CSA setting_VVG forth_RR the_AT themes_NN2 that_CST will_VM run_VVI throughout_II the_AT book_NN1 :_: death_NN1 ,_, love_NN1 ,_, loneliness_NN1 ,_, and_CC transformation_NN1 ._. "_" 
Barbara_NP1 Baker_NP1 has_VHZ argued_VVN that_CST the_AT stories_NN2 in_II this_DD1 book_NN1 reflect_VV0 not_XX just_RR the_AT themes_NN2 but_CCB also_RR specific_JJ practices_NN2 of_IO blues_NN2 music_NN1 :_: "_" In_II 'Music_NN1 of_IO the_AT Swamp_NN1 ,_, '_GE Nordan_NP1 uses_VVZ the_AT blues_NN2 strategy_NN1 of_IO playing_VVG through_II the_AT break_NN1 to_TO show_VVI the_AT reader_NN1 the_AT disjuncture_NN1 in_II Sugar_NP1 's_GE life_NN1 and_CC how_RRQ it_PPH1 is_VBZ related_VVN to_II his_APPGE relationship_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE father_NN1 ._. "_" 
Roberta_NP1 Maguire_NP1 points_VVZ out_RP that_CST as_CSA in_II blues_NN2 ,_, the_AT stories_NN2 in_II Music_NN1 of_IO the_AT Swamp_NN1 "_" reflect_VV0 the_AT constant_JJ interplay_NN1 of_IO the_AT tragic_JJ and_CC the_AT comic_NN1 ,_, despair_NN1 and_CC hopefulness_NN1 ._. "_" 
Nordan_NP1 followed_VVD The_AT Sharpshooter_NN1 Blues_NN2 with_IW his_APPGE fourth_MD novel_NN1 ,_, Lightning_NN1 Song_NN1 ,_, published_VVN in_II 1997_MC ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ the_AT only_JJ one_PN1 of_IO Nordan_NP1 's_GE novels_NN2 not_XX set_VVN in_II Arrow_NN1 Catcher_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 still_RR takes_VVZ place_NN1 in_II Mississippi_NP1 and_CC includes_VVZ some_DD characters_NN2 from_II earlier_JJR works_NN ._. 
Lightning_NN1 Song_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 coming-of-age_JJ novel_NN1 focused_VVN on_II twelve-year-old_JJ Leroy_NP1 Dearman_NP1 that_CST explores_VVZ the_AT mysteries_NN2 of_IO sexuality_NN1 ,_, grief_NN1 ,_, and_CC family_NN1 love_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Dearman_NN1 family_NN1 operates_VVZ a_AT1 llama_NN1 farm_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT vulnerability_NN1 of_IO these_DD2 beautiful_JJ ,_, singing_VVG llamas_NN2 to_II wild_JJ dogs_NN2 is_VBZ just_RR one_MC1 of_IO the_AT ways_NN2 this_DD1 book_NN1 illustrates_VVZ the_AT intersection_NN1 of_IO comedy_NN1 ,_, tragedy_NN1 ,_, and_CC magic_JJ characteristic_NN1 of_IO the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO Nordan_NP1 's_GE work_NN1 ._. 
Leroy_NP1 's_GE father_NN1 ,_, Swami_NN1 Don_NN1 ,_, has_VHZ a_AT1 withered_JJ right_JJ arm_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 physical_JJ weakness_NN1 that_CST corresponds_VVZ to_II the_AT emotional_JJ weakness_NN1 that_CST prevents_VVZ him_PPHO1 from_II intervening_VVG in_II the_AT flirtation_NN1 between_II his_APPGE wife_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE brother_NN1 ._. 
Swami_NN1 Don_NP1 's_GE brother_NN1 ,_, Harris_NP1 ,_, is_VBZ staying_VVG in_II the_AT attic_NN1 of_IO the_AT Dearman_NN1 home_RL ,_, which_DDQ exposes_VVZ Swami_NN1 Don_NP1 's_GE wife_NN1 ,_, Elsie_NP1 ,_, to_II his_APPGE charm_NN1 and_CC drink-mixing_JJ skills_NN2 and_CC gives_VVZ Leroy_NP1 access_NN1 to_II Harris_NP1 's_GE soft-core_JJ pornographic_JJ magazine_NN1 collection_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Dearman_NN1 home_NN1 attracts_VVZ multiple_JJ lightning_NN1 strikes_VVZ with_IW each_DD1 summer_NNT1 storm_NN1 ,_, providing_VVG an_AT1 external_JJ manifestation_NN1 of_IO the_AT volatile_JJ emotional_JJ and_CC sexual_JJ energy_NN1 inside_II the_AT house_NN1 ._. 
Leroy_NP1 's_GE emerging_JJ sexuality_NN1 is_VBZ aroused_VVN when_CS he_PPHS1 decides_VVZ he_PPHS1 wants_VVZ to_TO go_VVI to_II baton-twirling_JJ camp_NN1 and_CC meets_VVZ the_AT overly_RR sexualized_VVD and_CC emotionally_RR unstable_JJ baton_NN1 instructor_NN1 ,_, Ruby_NP1 Rae_NP1 ._. 
In_II31 spite_II32 of_II33 his_APPGE attraction_NN1 to_II Ruby_NP1 Rae_NP1 ,_, Leroy_NP1 is_VBZ deeply_RR traumatized_VVN by_II her_APPGE seduction_NN1 of_IO him_PPHO1 ,_, which_DDQ results_VVZ in_II his_APPGE first_MD sexual_JJ encounter_NN1 ._. 
Leroy_NN1 takes_VVZ some_DD comfort_NN1 in_II his_APPGE developing_JJ relationship_NN1 with_IW the_AT family_NN1 's_GE new_JJ neighbors_NN2 ,_, called_VVN simply_RR the_AT New_JJ People_NN for_IF most_DAT of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 couple_NN1 is_VBZ grieving_JJ after_II the_AT murder_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE fourteen-year-old_JJ son_NN1 ,_, and_CC their_APPGE grief_NN1 becomes_VVZ intertwined_JJ with_IW Leroy_NP1 's_GE grief_NN1 for_IF his_APPGE lost_JJ childhood_NN1 innocence_NN1 ._. 
While_CS Leroy_NP1 is_VBZ healing_JJ from_II his_APPGE encounter_NN1 with_IW Ruby_NP1 Rae_NP1 ,_, his_APPGE parents_NN2 '_GE marriage_NN1 is_VBZ disintegrating_VVG ._. 
On_II the_AT night_NNT1 that_CST Elsie_NP1 finally_RR acts_VVZ on_II her_APPGE desire_NN1 to_TO seduce_VVI Harris_NP1 ,_, Leroy_NP1 runs_VVZ out_RP into_II a_AT1 storm_NN1 carrying_VVG a_AT1 metal_NN1 baton_NN1 and_CC is_VBZ struck_VVN by_II lightning_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA Leroy_NP1 now_RT heals_VVZ from_II his_APPGE physical_JJ injuries_NN2 ,_, his_APPGE parents_NN2 '_GE marriage_NN1 slowly_RR begins_VVZ to_TO show_VVI signs_NN2 of_IO renewal_NN1 ._. 
In_II her_APPGE review_NN1 of_IO Lightning_NN1 Song_NN1 in_II The_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 (_( 25_MC May_NPM1 1997_MC )_) ,_, Valerie_NP1 Sayers_NP1 writes_VVZ ,_, "_" In_II plot_NN1 summary_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 might_VM sound_VVI like_II one_MC1 of_IO those_DD2 depressingly_RR perky_JJ and_CC eccentric_JJ white_JJ Southern_JJ stories_NN2 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 is_VBZ n't_XX ;_; it_PPH1 's_VBZ deeper_JJR and_CC richer_JJR and_CC more_RGR complex_JJ ._. "_" 
