What do you think?
Rate this book
Cooley & Rose
One morning in May 1948, prudish Rose Godwin wakes, believing mistakenly that someone is trying to kill her. She quickly realizes it is her husband up to his dirty tricks.
Cooley has not meant to scare her. His wife of nineteen years had looked so beautiful lying in bed, gently snoring, her lovely lips parted, that he couldn’t help himself.
Fed up with her husband, Rose once again leaves her home in South Norfolk, Virginia, and Cooley is glad. Now, he can spend more hours with his girl, LaBelle, an aspiring singer.
This time, however, Rose surprises him and herself as she heads by way of Route 66 to Hollywood, home to movie stars and the killer of The Black Dahlia, and farther. That is when the real trouble begins as Cooley and Rose, both keepers of secrets, reluctantly confront their own shortcomings and foolish expectations of love.
Cooley has not meant to scare her. His wife of nineteen years had looked so beautiful lying in bed, gently snoring, her lovely lips parted, that he couldn’t help himself.
Fed up with her husband, Rose once again leaves her home in South Norfolk, Virginia, and Cooley is glad. Now, he can spend more hours with his girl, LaBelle, an aspiring singer.
This time, however, Rose surprises him and herself as she heads by way of Route 66 to Hollywood, home to movie stars and the killer of The Black Dahlia, and farther. That is when the real trouble begins as Cooley and Rose, both keepers of secrets, reluctantly confront their own shortcomings and foolish expectations of love.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2013
2 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Terry Perrel
1 book8 followersTERRY PERREL lives with her husband and dog near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach, VA. She is the recipient of a B.S. in Journalism from Ohio State University, an MFA in creative writing from Old Dominion University and fellowships from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Cooley & Rose is her debut novel. Her second, The Wyatt Sisters’ Song of Love, will be published in 2020. To learn more, visit www.terryperrel.com or http://terryperrel.wordpress.com/. (Headshot by Steve Budman.)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 15, 2013
A novel gives a whole world, and the world of COOLEY AND ROSE is S. Norfolk, Virginia 1948 -- until Rose takes off for Palm Springs California, wanting a different life (enamored of movie stars), but especially to escape her marriage to Cooley and his ways which seem to her perverted. Prudish, stubborn, deeply religious, and an obsessive house cleaner who, for years, had bought into her Home Ec teacher's line about how rewarding mopping floors, dusting baseboards, and hanging wet wash could be, sets off on her journey and learns, not just about the wider world,but also what love and marriage really mean.On her way, she's robbed, forced to face the prejudice and prudishness engendered by her parochial life. We see her transformed by new relationships and the challenge of fending for herself, discovering and testing her abilities and her resolve to make a life beyond S. Norfolk and her husband of many years. Finally emerging from the "cocoon of sadness" she'd been wrapped in ever since losing a baby, miscarrying, she discovers new life both within and without, learning she is pregnant again with Cooley's child.
This novel is chock full of fine details that establish an historical past, a setting that intrigues not just because of how well it is rendered, but also for its contrast with the time in which we now live, a time when a woman's independent spirit is encouraged rather than a source of worry, gossip, and embarrassment among family, friends, and in her community. But Cooley grows, too, learning to give Rose room for her growth and finally, how to take care of himself without depending on Rose to keep house. Perrel gives us humor, pathos, a well-constructed narrative, and a cast of unique characters-- plenty to keep a reader entertained and interested in the real journey of the novel: how Cooley and Rose renew their marriage and more importantly, their love for each other.
This novel is chock full of fine details that establish an historical past, a setting that intrigues not just because of how well it is rendered, but also for its contrast with the time in which we now live, a time when a woman's independent spirit is encouraged rather than a source of worry, gossip, and embarrassment among family, friends, and in her community. But Cooley grows, too, learning to give Rose room for her growth and finally, how to take care of himself without depending on Rose to keep house. Perrel gives us humor, pathos, a well-constructed narrative, and a cast of unique characters-- plenty to keep a reader entertained and interested in the real journey of the novel: how Cooley and Rose renew their marriage and more importantly, their love for each other.
October 10, 2013
NEW SOUTHERN VOICE---Cooley and Rose is a wonderful novel that will charm its way into your heart with its vibrant characters, powerful prose, and sly insight into the nature of Southern sensibilities. Smart, funny, and poignant, this book captures all the misfires, failures, mishaps, and ordinary madness of a marriage gone awry. Truly one of those books in which every situation seems real and every character is one you wish you had met. There is no putting this book down once you've picked it up. Not a romance plot in the true sense of the genre, but more like a wickedly clever "unromance" that follows the characters of Cooley and Rose from the day of their uncoupling in post war era South Norfolk. As these two embark on their life apart, the author takes us on a journey that examines small town life, human foibles, and the idiosyncratic nature of marriage. The best part is that the character of Rose is no cliched Steel Magnolia! She's small minded, prejudiced, and uncharitable, not the best woman I've ever met in literature. But... Rose's unexpected humanity resonated with me and her surprising turnaround leads to a very satisfying ending. Read this book if you enjoy good Southern storytelling, irresistible characters, and a well-drawn landscape. I look forward to reading more by Terry Perrel.
October 16, 2013
This book really didn’t do much for me. I had a hard time getting into it and it really did not hold my attention. It has a unique storyline, but it never really gained my interest. I was also very disappointed with the ending. It didn’t fit with the whole story. I really didn’t think that anything was resolved. It just ended. Done. Finished.
Overall, character development in the book was pretty good. I could not stand the main character, Rose. She irritated me and was generally unlikeable. By the time I started to see changes in her, I didn’t care any more. I never really cared for Cooley, either, but he was a little more tolerable to me. The changes he went through were a little more believable. My favorite character was Johnnie Rae. She was a secondary character in the story but I felt more interested in and connected to her than any of the others.
This was not a terrible book but I didn’t really enjoy it. It is Ms. Perrel’s debut novel. I see promise in her writing and hope that she can refine her style a little in the future. I would probably consider reading more of her work. My overall rating for this book is 2.5.
Overall, character development in the book was pretty good. I could not stand the main character, Rose. She irritated me and was generally unlikeable. By the time I started to see changes in her, I didn’t care any more. I never really cared for Cooley, either, but he was a little more tolerable to me. The changes he went through were a little more believable. My favorite character was Johnnie Rae. She was a secondary character in the story but I felt more interested in and connected to her than any of the others.
This was not a terrible book but I didn’t really enjoy it. It is Ms. Perrel’s debut novel. I see promise in her writing and hope that she can refine her style a little in the future. I would probably consider reading more of her work. My overall rating for this book is 2.5.
February 17, 2014
Cooley & Rose chronicles a long marriage at a turning point. There is a lot of communication, but little meeting of the minds, due partly to asynchronous transmission, but more importantly, secret keeping and magical thinking. An enjoyable tale you will want to finish in one sitting. Southern fiction in the immediate post-WW2 period, with quirky characters and regional predilections that add richness and humor to the mix. Looking forward to Perrel's upcoming second novel.
November 9, 2013
Read my full review: http://bit.ly/1hVGuxF
My opinion: I thought this was a very good debut. The storyline was interesting and unusual with characters that were pretty complex. On that note, I must admit that there were areas where the writing/storyline appeared to be repetitive and needed to be tightened up.
My opinion: I thought this was a very good debut. The storyline was interesting and unusual with characters that were pretty complex. On that note, I must admit that there were areas where the writing/storyline appeared to be repetitive and needed to be tightened up.
November 6, 2013
I loved this book. I was able to sink deeply into the characters and found myself rooting for each of them alternately. One of those books that helps you appreciate the good things in your own life and give your own love story a second read....
July 6, 2013
A warm-hearted tale set in South Norfolk, circa 1948.
Don't miss the chance to travel cross-country with Rose.
Don't miss the chance to travel cross-country with Rose.
October 6, 2013
I really enjoyed this! It is set in a local area, which is always interesting. The author kept a thread of tension going throughout the whole novel. I couldn't put it down!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews