Four elderly southern women share a house, a history, and heartbreaking secrets.Baby girl, I hope you're listening real good to what I'm gonna tell you about that sure-enough miracle we got us. Had to be a miracle, because in all my born days, I didn't never think it could turn out like this. Didn't never think you'd be sitting right here on this very porch with me, hearing me talk about all us folks you don't know nothing much about yet.. . . Back then, I didn't really know that all the folks who came ahead of us are like the brown roots of a big old vine growing close to the porch, and even though those roots are way down deep in the ground where we can't see them, they're still there.And we grow from them, our whole lives, and then, if we're lucky, others grow from us. Well, I expect that the ones who came before us--black and white--had things they had to keep still about, too, just like me and Miss Cora. Things we had to do, whether we liked it or not. And then never speak of them again.Augusta Trobaugh is the acclaimed author of fine novels including PraiseJerusalem, Sophie and the Rising Sun, and coming soon, Music From Beyond the Moon.
Augusta Trobaugh is the author of three previous novels, Sophie and the Rising Sun, Resting in the Bosom of the Lamb, and Praise Jerusalem!, a semi-finalist in the 1993 Pirates Alley Faulkner competition. She holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Georgia, with a concentration in American and Southern literature. Her work has been funded through the Georgia Council of the Arts.
It took a while to get into this book. The genre was new to me. Also in the first 100 pages there was a lot of back story that was unknown to the point that it was difficult to understand w the main characters were connected. It was obvious there was more to the story. Mid way through several mysteries were revealed which then made me want to keep reading. Overall a good book just difficult to get into it.
I REALLY like this author. She has one other book I will excited to read. This is a great story about family and what makes a family. Great, strong characters. Some very insightful thoughts into the whole family dynamic and life.
My best friend sent me this book in a care package after I’d had surgery because she knows we both love Southern stories. Although I knew there were mysteries to be discovered in this book of four women, I sometimes felt like reading it was like trying to walk through molasses. I found myself wishing the author would get on with what she was wanting to say. Yet, I’m sure there was intentionality in that slow pace that matched the pace of their lives. A little more mysticism than I like but I could see where it originated. The overall story of devotion and love earned the 5 stars.
This southern gothic tale is sweet, philosophical, at the same time racist and antiracism. I enjoyed it more than Troubaugh's first book. There's a distinct line between people blathering on about everything that comes to mind and those suppressing and internalizing so very much of life. They're equally difficult to read about but make good stories.
First off, I've always loved books about the South. I was excited to read this book and thought it would be no exception. Well, I was a little disappointed. I loved the familiar southern "language" of the book, and the down-home country feel of it. I thought it had a good storyline and great characters, but my 3 stars came into play because of the way the book incessantly dragged. I would've liked seeing more character development for Wynona and Lauralee. I must have quit this book at least 3 times, even after making it over halfway through. But, because of all the good reviews, and the secrets I knew remained unrevealed, I plotted on. It wasn't until near the end that things finally picked up a little and the secrets were SLOWLY brought to light. There were several things I enjoyed about this book, the strong evidence of love of family, and the commitment to one another, to name a few. But for me, getting through it was almost excruciating! I just think it could have been laid out and put together in a much better fashion.
A tender, heart-warming - and sometimes heart-rending - book about a group of southern women, who together find the grace and courage to live their lives, help each other and face their tragedies. Very well-written and plotted, with little pointers all the way through hinting at what has gone before. Stories abound in their world, stories of love and loss and loyalty. There’s an old- fashioned feel to the book, but that’s not a criticism. The sights and sounds and smells of the American south are beautifully evoked, and for a little while the reader can visit with these women and share their lives.
A totally delightful book of southern women, both blacks and whites living together and sharing secrets from the past. I really enjoyed this book as sometimes you could not even tell who was black and who was white.
I can sum this book up in three sentences. 1)Augusta Trobaugh is a wonderful writer. 2)This book is amazing from the first page to the final words. 3) If you read it, you won't be disappointed. Well, and one more sentence...Fantastic book!
I started this today so not very far yet. I've read other books by this author and liked them alot. My reading right now is limited due to the process of getting ready to move.