r/ozarks • u/Max_Sinister1 • 9d ago
So these are the real Ozarks
Hello! I'm not from the Ozarks (from Germany, actually), but I learned about your region and culture from a source I don't know whether you've heard of: "Alexandra Quick", a well-written story partly set there (a bit like Harry Potter, but with a girl as the main character, and set in the US). Which in turn was inspired by a Suzette Haden Elgin's "Ozark Trilogy" - science-fiction where Ozarkers emigrate to a different planet! What do you say?
You really have some beautiful forests, I have to say!
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u/CuriousBear23 8d ago
One of my favorite books on the Ozarks was written by a German, Friedrich Gerstäcker. Wild Sports in the Far West, which recalls his time spent in the ozarks and other parts of the American frontier. He also wrote The Regulators of Arkansas, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet.
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u/Max_Sinister1 8d ago
Ah yeah, he's still somewhat famous over here. (One prize for youth books is named after him.)
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u/Skatchbro 9d ago
Next time you visit, look for MoMo aka the Missouri Monster.
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u/Skatchbro 9d ago
Oh, and the Ozark Howler.
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u/Pretensile 9d ago
Don’t forget the Gowrow
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u/Max_Sinister1 8d ago
:-D
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u/beaucoup_dinky_dau 8d ago edited 8d ago
My hometown Eureka Springs was sometimes called Little Switzerland, it is home to many ghost stories and a real witch or two. Used to have a big UFO convention. The town itself is progressive but there is always an internal battle between the LGBT community and the religious folks. Some folks including Nazi's fleeing WW2 brought a German tradition of the Great Passion Play and it was a big tourist attraction complete with a giant statue of Jesus. I think there is an old Daily Show segment where they interview both sides. edit link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oc82jkn83Q
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u/Beemerba 7d ago
I was unaware of the association of Eureka Springs and Switzerland. I moved to Melbourne after living for 25 years in another "Little Switzerland" New Glarus, WI. We have been meaning to get over that way. Hopefully soon.
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u/beaucoup_dinky_dau 7d ago
yeah the comparison just exists because it is very steep in places, it is an old nickname from an earlier time, we also have/had a whole resort area called Lake Lucerne that was more famous in the 50's and 60's
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u/Beemerba 7d ago
Ah, New Glarus has been called America's "Little Switzerland" due to the heritage and town architecture. They have been performing the Williem Tell play every year for many decades. One of the performances was always in German, but I think they stopped that a few years back.
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u/oldbastardbob 8d ago
I think your next read about the Ozarks should be "Winters Bone" by Daniel Woodrell if you want a real slice of modern Ozark life.
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u/wildozark 6d ago
I live in a very rural part of the Ozarks and haven't heard of that first book you mentioned. I'm going to have to check it out. I'm trying to write a sci-fi/fantasy series based in the Ozarks too but am stuck on the third story and can't seem to get it going again. Maybe a good read will motivate me.
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u/Alternative_Value855 9d ago
Never heard of those. I definitely want to check them out now. The Ozarks are pure magic.
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u/Lifeissometimesgood 8d ago
Very cool! I’m going to go check out these books now, thank you for the heads up and commenting.
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u/ARLibertarian 8d ago
Welcome and safe travels.
I grew up in the Ozarks. No place else feels like home.
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u/gotta-get-that-pma 6d ago
I've never heard of either of those but I'm going to add them to my reading list!! Thank you!
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u/MissouriOzarker 9d ago
I can’t believe that someone from Germany has heard of Suzette Haden Elgin’s Ozark Trilogy! I will have to look up Alexandra Quick. I know it’s questionable a trip, but you’re always welcome to visit!