Stars and Bars, by William Boyd

 Another great one by William Boyd. 

Spoilers:

British ex-pat, art appraiser, PhD, "impressionist man," gets to experience The South. Unlike the horrible Quichotte, the author doesn't blame an entire portion of the U.S. of being morons or racists or rubes. This poor Brit gets to experience one crazy family, possibly an example of a family with sudden wealth (initially, only to be drained through the years). 

Several surprises during this novel, only a few of which I guessed ahead of time. Burning them, though. Ugh. I almost cried, and the paintings were fictional. The book did make me want to look up some of the art, but I'm afraid they won't be real, or possibly I'm afraid they are real? The Demeter and Baubo...and oh yes that myth is real (since I had to look up the spelling of the second party). Why had I not ever heard of the pudenda-flashing old Greek woman? Quite shocking...until you read anything about the ancient Greeks.  

Spoilers done.

Friend of mine read this book to prep herself for her trip to the States later this summer. Not sure this'll prepare her. This is pure fiction, perhaps with some flashes of truth, but not an accurate portrayal of America.