Inside The George

by Beth Tyner

Welcome to the wacky world of Gus, small town proprietor of The George Hardware Store. He builds a coffin for Baby, the deceased pet of customer Margie, plays bee badminton with his employees and listens to the dilemmas of all who end up sitting on "The Bench." Gus's deft and humorous handling of his customers' eccentricities draws you in to the rich complexity of characters living in a small Southern town as it tickles your sense of the ridiculous.

Genres: Fiction, Humor

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 19, 2012

About the author

Beth Tyner grew up in the small town of St. George, South Carolina. Growing up, Beth and her two sisters’ main hobbies were sports and reading. These activities were encouraged by their mother, an athletic woman who taught Beth and her sisters how to swim, fish, and play tennis and basketball. Aside from teaching Beth how to enjoy the outdoors, her mother also passed down her main passion—the love of the written word.
Following college and marriage, Beth convinced her husband, Mack, to move back to Saint George, where they both began working at her father’s hardware store. While originally intended to be a temporary situation, Beth and Mack ended up owning and running “the store” for over 30 years. In the beginning, neither expected hardware store to be a permanent fixture in their lives. However, both are thankful for how the store has shaped their lives and the lives of their four children. While the family hardware store closed after 65 years of service, Beth was determined to ensure that the memories and history surrounding the store were not forgotten. Beth originally wrote “Inside The George” for her grandchildren to give them a glimpse of how their grandparents and parents’ lives were shaped by the family business, its customers, its employees and the local community.
Beth still resides in Saint George, South Carolina, with her husband, and she fills her days with gardening, cheering for her South Carolina Gamecocks, and, most importantly, spending time with family.

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the outset, I could feel it in my bones this was going to be a good read. It was bringing back nostalgic memories of a time when life was simpler. So much simpler…A time before peoples’ heads weren’t perpetually pointed toward their cellphones. A time before pervasive welfare when people actually worked for a living, cared a whole lot more about one another, and divorce was an oddity. I looked forward to digging in.

I didn’t think I was off base to think it was from a simpler time seeing as the book’s cover depicted a photo of yore. However, as I was reading, I discovered it wasn’t quite like that since characters were using cellphones. Nothing so nostalgic there. That was a bummer. It wasn’t quite what I thought. It was somewhat better than okay, however. I enjoyed the camaraderie amongst the folk.

I couldn't decide between 3 and 4 stars. In the end, I opted for 4.

[Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

very unexpected

I was not sure about this book from reading the title and comments on amazon. So I got it and started reading. After the first chapter I was hooked. My wife knows something is up when I laugh as reading a book. She asked, good laugh or bad. I said VERY good. Thanks for writing this homespun yarn. Oh, am not sure what part of the country says cut out to mean turn on. Thanks for the insight

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read, great memories.

Engaging characters move through a kinder, gentler world that really wasn’t so long ago. I loved the amusing tales of the day-to-day life of a small business owner in small town USA. Endearing and entertaining, I was sad to see it end...

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A time gone by

A delightful funny poignant read. Small town hardware store and social center brings life to world of selling goods. Enjoyable.

[Molly McMurray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a step back in time!

I loved this book from beginning to end. The only thing I didn't like is that it ended so soon.😢.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories

This book is a great reminder of the good times, when people and friendships were so important. Why i still love finding an old mom and pop store.

[Debra Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok.

It was OK. More a collection of memories than a book with an actual plot. Funny in spots but not consistently so. Not really my cup of tea.

[dollie ledford · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enjoyable

I loved the humor and the characters in this story. I was raised in a small community years ago. We knew everyone in the community...it was a slow paced life. Much simpler and less intense . I miss old friends and neighbors from the years past. I know you can't go back but if I could I would pick the old days over the crazy world today.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book. Had some funny moments. It made me wish I had been living in that small town.

[Mary J Semsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Times are a changing

Wish we could go back to mom and pop stores but the internet has changed all that. An amusing look into a laid b back time.

[Shirley Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town life

Back in the day story of how life was around a family store as told by one of the family.