Mississippi Hippie - by William M Bearden

About the Book

"Mississippi Hippie" is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the timeless quest for meaning and belonging. Let Willy Bearden's unforgettable tale sweep you away on a journey of the heart and soul.

Book Synopsis

"Mississippi Hippie" is a gripping memoir that delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the human spirit's unwavering strength. Willy Bearden's captivating storytelling sheds light on life's complexities, the impact of race, and a young man's quest to break free from societal norms.

From the heart of the mysterious Mississippi Delta, Willy Bearden embarks on an unforgettable journey chronicled in "Mississippi Hippie: A Life in 49 Pieces." Through poignant vignettes, Bearden, a noted Memphis author and filmmaker, paints a vivid picture of a bygone era, from the harsh cotton fields to the colorful characters of Rolling Fork's pool halls and beauty parlors.

Settling in Memphis and working as a liquor delivery driver opens doors to experiences beyond imagination. Despite a tumultuous upbringing marked by his father's struggles with alcoholism and family discord, Bearden finds solace in the protest music of the late 1960s, sparking his awakening and shaping his worldview.

As Bearden embraces the ethos of the hippie movement, he sets off on a transformative journey. With nothing but a backpack and a hunger for adventure, he hitchhikes across the country, immersing himself in the vibrant counterculture while grappling with the loss of loved ones, a poignant reminder of life's fragility.

"Mississippi Hippie" is far more than a memoir; it's a pulsating exploration of resilience, rebellion, and the enduring human desire to find a place to call home.

Review Quotes

Willy Bearden's memoir Mississippi Hippie is a hitchhiker's guide to life. Starting from a troubled childhood in a Delta town (that rings of Mark Twain's Hannibal) Bearden tells of his lifelong search for characters, adventures, and tales. These are stories of pathos, joy, and love told by a master storyteller.

-George Larrimore

A beautifully written account of a life fully lived. -Tom Lonardo

I loved every stop on this journey, meeting all the people I would otherwise never have known. -Corey Parker

Laugh out-loud funny and heartbreakingly poignant.

-Pam Parker Branham

If you live in the Mid-South, Willy Bearden's distinct Delta voice is part of the soundtrack of our lives, as soothing as the hum and rhythm of the waters of the great Mississippi. His memoir Mississippi Hippie channels the same cadences. Honest and completely unfiltered, we feel the floorboards under his feet, and the pain, beauty, and astonishment in his eyes from his Delta home. His memories give us visceral portraits of his roots, the deep South hometown of Rolling Fork, in stories painful, mythical, and deeply personal. And on every page, there is his voice, both a smooth gravel road and a lullaby by a campfire. We say that there can be no light without darkness, no joy without pain, and if ever there is pleasure in the pains of memories, this is it. -Mark Fleischer, Publisher, Storyboard Memphis