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Paul A Broome
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Clouds Float South: Short Stories Paperback – December 1, 2021

by Paul A Broome (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
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Clouds Float South is a collection of ten linked stories that reads like a novel. Alan Smith, the youngest son of the Smith family, narrates each story, hence, you not only watch Alan grow and develop, but you also have an insider's view of how five people cultivate and nurture a heart-felt love that weaves the loose and disconnected strands of simple human triumphs and failures into a single and unbreakable bond we call--family.

In The Sassafras Tree, you watch seven year old Alan and two of his siblings as they concoct a plan to witness Jesus taking their deceased father to heaven.

In The School Bus Part 1, you follow eighth grader Alan as he and his brother and sister struggle to obey their mother's battle plan when she engages their obstinate school bus driver in a war of nerves.

And, in The Real World, accompany Alan as he begins his first teaching job in Georgia, where he comes face to face with racial issues as well as the hard realization that succeeding in the real world requires more than a love for literature.

These and seven other stories will give you a few hours of pleasurable reading and, perhaps, a few extra minutes to mediate on human vulnerability as well as the resilient human heart.

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  1. Print length
    218 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 1, 2021
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8777369673
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Delicately skimming through two decades of life for one Tennessee family, Clouds Float South is a subtly beautiful collection of interlinked stories. The seamless growth of the main character over time makes the collection increasingly engaging with each passing story, and adds originality to the format. Within a charming southern context, the author artfully explores timeless themes through the eyes of a headstrong protagonist. Broome has captured the style and soul of another era, and tenderly crafts a family portrait that can teach every reader a bit more about living well." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★

Broome (Girls Who Don't Believe) thoughtfully binds together ten short fictions with a shared protagonist and a strong sense of bewilderment at life for all its joys and heartaches. Each of the interlinked stories can stand on its own, but joined together they build into a profound and tender coming-of-age story of a boy from a southern family in the mid-twentieth century.
BookLife Review

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09MJFBNYC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (December 1, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 218 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8777369673
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

About the author

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Paul A Broome

Paul A Broome

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Paul A. Broome was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, but still prefers R&B over Country Music. For several decades, he taught literature at Alcorn State University, an Historically Black University in South Central Mississippi. He now lives in North Alabama with his Japanese wife, Sadako, their black lab, Cody, and a tabby cat, Tora. Other than writing and reading and being with family in Tennessee, he loves traveling to Japan with Sadako where they visit her family and friends.

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4.6 out of 5 stars
70 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Sophia LeBlanc
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming southern storytelling
    Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025
    Found myself completely absorbed in these stories during my weekend away at the lake. The authors ability to capture childhood innocence and family dynamics is really something special. The story about the kids waiting to see Jesus take their father to heaven brought tears to my eyes - its both heartbreaking and sweet in the most authentic way.

    The way the stories are connected gives you such a rich picture of growing up in a southern family. Alans voice feels so genuine, and watching him mature through different ages is fascinating. The authors writing style reminds me of those long summer evenings when my grandma would tell family stories on the porch. Theres something really special about how he captures those small but significant moments that shape our lives.
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  • Gina Wing
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Relatable and Heartfelt Slice of Life
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2025
    "Clouds Float South" follows Alan Smith through different stages of his life, capturing the challenges and joys of family dynamics. Set in rural Nashville during the 50s and 60s, the vivid writing brings to life the complexities of growing up, dealing with loss, and navigating sibling relationships. Based on real events, the stories feel authentic and offer subtle yet impactful lessons about the enduring ties of family. A poignant reminder that while life can be messy, it is ultimately shaped by how we embrace it.
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  • M D
    4.0 out of 5 stars To be continued?
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
    The end didn’t feel like an ending, but more of a midpoint. There are several themes that run throughout the book (death, racism, bullying, TSD/mental health) that I was seeking some sort of closure to so the ending seemed abrupt to me, like just another day in the life. It’s as if the author wanted to write a certain number of pages and once that goal was achieved, he stopped.

    It was sometimes confusing when the main character was referred to as first person “I” and in other places as third person “he”, but the stories themselves are rich. The characters are interesting, each with their respective flaws and challenges. The racial biases demonstrated by several of the characters is appropriately maddening and I suppose reflective of the historical context, but again feels unresolved by the end.
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  • elizabeth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Relatable and poignant
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
    This book tells “slice of life” stories about a character named Alan Smith at various stages of his life. The stories are relatable and interesting. Through Alan and his family, we experience the challenges and problems that many families must face and endure, such as the death of a parent and navigating family and sibling relationships. Based on actual events in the author’s life, the writing describes the reality of growing up in rural Nashville, TN, in the 50s and 60s. The lessons are subtle but profound. All of us are born into families and are forever bound by these early connections, however tenuous and dysfunctional. Life is often messy but it is what we make it.
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  • Brian Osgood
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful! This is a great read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2022
    “If I learned one thing in college, it was that life came easier to one who knew how to acknowledge the assumed intelligence of others.” (Page 165) I really enjoyed this one. It is a great read. That being said, be prepared for some modified dialogue (to denote local accents). There is also the occasional weird time jump, but it’s not that distracting. Fair warning: some harsh language. Yes, this book tackles race. It includes some white teenagers using a racial slur. Later on, our white POV goes to Georgia and works at a school that enforces “ability grouping” as a loose form of segregation. The principal asks him via phone interview if he can discipline students, then discusses a “riot” in a way you might not be comfortable with. Also, there are some disparaging comments from Aunt Winnie and a scene when he debates if it’s okay to drink after a Black man. That tension actually resolves pretty well and Jojo talks to him about fairness in a way that’ll be very familiar to anyone from the south.
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  • Champion
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but ...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2022
    I received a complimentary copy of this book and in all honesty, I enjoyed the stories. But since I'm committed to giving my honest opinion I cannot overlook the fact that the author did too much telling. I would have liked to know more about the characters and much more time could have been spent eliminating errors. Interesting stories but the book needs more work.
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  • Zara Miller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2023
    A beautiful deconstruction of love, family and relationships. I did not expect to love this book as much as I do.
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  • Alexey
    4.0 out of 5 stars Vivid Portrayal of Life: A Collection of Engaging Stories
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2023
    "Clouds Float South" has proven to be an engaging collection of stories that delight readers with their insightful glimpses into the lives of a diverse cast of characters. The book's strength lies in its first-person narrative style, which offers a compelling view of each character's personal journey. While some readers desired a stronger unified theme and more depth for each character, most found the stories to be beautifully written, with each chapter offering a distinct and memorable snapshot of the protagonist's life. The book holds particular appeal for readers seeking tales that balance the charm of fictional narrative with the grounding realism of everyday life struggles.
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