Getting the Important Things Right

by Padgett Gerler

A powerful and provocative debut novel, GETTING THE IMPORTANT THINGS RIGHT follows the lives of West Point graduate Colonel Thomas McChesney Albemarle, III and southern debutante Lydia Rose Carlyle Albemarle (Colonel Tom and Ma’am to all) from their first meeting at the Officers’ Club at Fort Bragg, North Carolina during World War II to The Colonel’s death forty years later. While Colonel Tom physically and emotionally batters his family, Ma’am escapes the turmoil with alcohol. Their children, Percy, Sis and Oops, with no adult guidance, learn to sidestep their family minefields alone. Percy longs for a loving relationship with his father but is unwilling to compromise his aspirations of owning a motorcycle repair shop to win his father’s love. Sis wants a strong mother who will stand up to her abusive husband but finds herself in an abusive marriage, as well. Baby Oops escapes the chaos by teaching herself to read at three and retreating to her own world where abuse and parental neglect can’t reach her. Siblings Percy and Sis forge a loving bond that will sustain them through the most poignant and tragic of circumstances. Whether it’s eating an entire chocolate cake in one sitting, playing Cuss Scrabble, double dating to the drive-in movie, or stealing their father’s car to hotrod in the wee hours, the brother and sister find unbridled joy in their friendship, despite the dysfunction swirling around them. Told with captivating grit, humor, and insight, this tale of family discord carries the Albemarles through decades of turbulence until tragedy teaches them to forgive and understand by GETTING THE IMPORTANT THINGS RIGHT.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Amazon

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 11, 2012

About the author

Born on the coast of South Carolina and raised in the mountains of Virginia, I relocated to the Piedmont area of North Carolina in the 80's to attend college. After graduating with a BA in accounting, I became a CPA and practiced accounting in the public and corporate sector. In 2010, when my passion for writing leapt ahead of my passion for accounting, I quit my career to write full time. I love the southern voice and the southern experience, so I write about the south, from the mountains to the coast.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't an easy book to read; I hate the word "dysfunctional", but this family was more "fragile" than most. The author takes you through good times and bad without taking a break. I've not spent much time in the South, but I loved the author's presentation of what seemed to be real characters from real families -- not families we'd like to join.

It seems like anything else I would say would be a spoiler. I'd love to chat with anyone else who reads it.

PS It was a great buy from an e-book Kindle "deal". I'll look for more from this author.

[Barb Wittwer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this thoughtful funny book! It was full of everyday tragedy, but like life the heroine gets through with lessons, love & growth. Can't wait to read more from this gifted author.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of the book is ironic because the parents of Sis, the main character of the book, never seemed to get the important things right. It's amazing to me that the children of these parents turned out as well as they did. For the most part, they turned out at they did in spite of the parents. The author's succinct style of writing allows a lot of feelings and actions to be described. Some reviewers claimed the book to have been written with humor. I actually didn't think it was really humorous; that was just the way the character Sis talked and thought.

I liked this book very much until I got to the Epilogue. I find what is revealed in the Epilogue is not so plausible. I wondered if the author felt that she owed us an explanation for why Sis's father behaved as he did, but many times in life we don't know what causes people to act the way they do. I would love to find out from other people who read this book how they reacted to the Epilogue.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't generally bother to review a book when I finish it, simply because most of them don't blow me away. This one did. I kept tearing up as I read and found myself grateful to be alone to read most of the book. I can't reveal the ending, but it was definitely not something I expected. It explained much more of the dysfunction in a much less obvious way. My heart was broken for all the broken hearts along the way and sorry not to witness all the healing that I hope and pray the characters lived out for the rest of their lives. I had forgotten the story wasn't about real-life people by the end, which says a lot!

[Marta Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange family relationships

Getting the Important Things Right is the best book about dysfunctional families! The characters in this book made me cry and laugh. 3 children with terrible childhoods managed to muddle through their childhood pretty much on their own. The ending tied it all together for me. Thank you, Padgett Gerler, for writing this 5 star read! Once I started reading it, I could not put it down!

[MargeGordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says it all, and I'm glad I read this book. I didn't realize I'd read more by this author, but I should have because I have loved all her books

[Becky Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK! Though this was a book filled with tragedy and family dysfunction, the strength of the three children managed to bring some very funny parts to the book. The mother was an alcoholic for most of the years when the kids were growing up. The dad was a miserable cold person to everyone. The children helped to raise each other- making meals, dressing, and getting each other off to school. Never being hugged or loved by your parents makes for a hard life. As the kids grew up they still held out hope that their parents would at some point show them love. A twist at the end showing a reason the dad was so vindictive and miserable but it didn't change my opinion of him. I still thought he was cruel and unlovable. Anyone who loves to read stories with strong characters will love this book.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that makes one think, deals with hard issues, and is definitely not a 'feel good' book. I highly recommend it. The author made the family come alive. The characters were believable. I had to ask myself over and over while reading this, "How do children of abuse ever turn out to deal with the world around them in a normal manner?" I'm not sure they do. I think Percy and Sis did a pretty good job after some pitfalls.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful reminder that everyone has a story and that knowledge changes perception. Although we may not agree with people's behaviors there is always an underlying reason for them. Our job is not to accept them but to learn to control the way they will affect us. Also a very true account of how everyone just wants to be heard.

[MELISSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this on a site as a recommended free kindle download and thought "why not? It is free".

Glad I did. a quick easy read that has you get wrapped up in the members of a dysfunctional family and see how forgiveness and acceptance while relying on family is what is really important.

[Megan Lennek · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I really say about this book? You have to read it! It was hard to put down and I really enjoyed reading it. I don't want to give too much away but seriously pick up this book! You will not regret it.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

What love can do.

This is the story of three children who grow up in a dysfunctional family without the loving hugs and kisses from their parents. It goes on to tell how this affects their relationships and what one sister finds out after the father passes away.

[Mary Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. What a wonderfully written story. The author takes you through the gamut of emotions and the character development and growth were totally believable. I look forward to more from this author.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family.....

This disturbing story of a family that doesn't just live through a crisis but is a crisis would be very painful to read if it weren't for the love and support that Percy and Lydia give each other throughout their lives.

[Laurel Beh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Special

This is an absolutely beautiful story. Very different and loved every word. Each character was so well portrayed they caused the reader to react as if they really knew them.

[Mitchel Addwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting the Important Things Right is a must read. I came across the book by accident one Saturday afternoon, bought it, and couldn't put the book down. It is compelling from beginning to end.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good.

[Susan O'Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Padgett Gerler gets everything right - solid writing with great characterization - in debut "Getting the Important Things Right." Anxious to read more from this gifted author.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 3 plus...good story

[Corissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this one as a Kindle freebie, and found it worth reading! In many ways, it reminds me of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.

[Ann Rothschild · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a 'hard to put down' great read. The author uses language effectively to describe the characters and tell their stories.

[Jennifer Nowak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written story. I became so invested in the character's lives that I didn't want the book to end!

[Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

chick lit but a wonderful story of life expiences with a surprise ending

[bex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very emotional book.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book!