Readers are treated to a tilt-a-whirl of emotions and imagery, ranging from laugh-out-loud comedy, to the brooding tragedy typical of Brown's work.

After all, the pleasures of drinking sizzurp, or promethazine-codeine mixed drinks, are explored on "Purple Rain […]

Still, there was an inquiry after me, the 'who was she?' that never can, that never must be answered; and it was pursued with only the more avidity, because my accomplishments proved that I had been expensively educated, and nature had stamped me with her own kindly distinctions.

True oyster lovers really prefer the large Lynnhavens and others on the deep shell.