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Lowcountry Tales #1
Sullivan's Island
Set in the steamy, stormy landscape of South Carolina, this New York Times bestseller from the author of Queen Bee is the unforgettable story of one woman’s courageous journey toward truth…
Born and raised on idyllic Sullivan’s Island, Susan Hayes navigated through her turbulent childhood with humor, spunk, and characteristic Southern sass. But years later, she is a conflicted woman with an unfaithful husband, a sometimes resentful teenage daughter, and a heart that aches with painful, poignant memories. And as Susan faces her uncertain future, she realizes that she must go back to her past. To the beachfront house where her sister welcomes her with open arms. To the only place she can truly call home...
Born and raised on idyllic Sullivan’s Island, Susan Hayes navigated through her turbulent childhood with humor, spunk, and characteristic Southern sass. But years later, she is a conflicted woman with an unfaithful husband, a sometimes resentful teenage daughter, and a heart that aches with painful, poignant memories. And as Susan faces her uncertain future, she realizes that she must go back to her past. To the beachfront house where her sister welcomes her with open arms. To the only place she can truly call home...
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
2275 people are currently reading
15157 people want to read
About the author
Dorothea Benton Frank
64 books5,201 followersDorothea Benton Frank was a New York Times best-selling American novelist of Southern fiction. She worked in the apparel industry from 1972 until 1985 and then organized fundraisers as a volunteer, before becoming a novelist.
She is best known as the author of twenty novels placed in and around the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
She is best known as the author of twenty novels placed in and around the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,121 reviews
October 25, 2009
Another unfortunate book club selection. This is pretty standard Lifetime movie fare. The good wife lets herself go frumpy. Husband trades her in for a newer model. Journey of self discovery, interspersed with poignant childhood recollections, ensues. I just don't find this kind of thing compelling. The flashbacks were well written, however, and the tidbits of Gullah culture interspersed throughout kept it from being completely forgettable. I found myself wanting more of that, and less in the way of details about how the MC had been losing weight by smoking, chugging diet soda, and eating salads with no dressing.
Also, the rest of the book was so riddled with hackneyed dialog, quips, sayings, and excessive exclamation marks, it wore me out. Nobody talks like that.
Oh, and the author's attempt at magical realism toward the end made my eyes roll so far back in my head, I nearly lost my balance. True story.
Also, the rest of the book was so riddled with hackneyed dialog, quips, sayings, and excessive exclamation marks, it wore me out. Nobody talks like that.
Oh, and the author's attempt at magical realism toward the end made my eyes roll so far back in my head, I nearly lost my balance. True story.
February 14, 2008
Well, as I’ve mentioned before, I have committed myself to quite a bit of reading lately…I don’t usually do that, as I’m one who prefers to just pick up and read whatever strikes my fancy at that particular moment in time. But, as a result of a round-robin I’m involved with, I recently received some titles that I probably wouldn’t have picked up if left to my own devices.
“Sullivan’s Island” by Dorthea Benton Frank is one of those. While it was a New York Times Bestseller, the pastel artwork (while a beautiful cover!) and the cover blurbs from Pat Conroy and Bret Lott left me the impression that this would be some melodramatic, mushy women’s fiction novels that I find tedious and tiring (no means to offend these authors or their loyal fans!). Now I know this is so cliché’, but that old axiom that “we should never judge a book by its cover” is true; this may well be one of the best books I’ve read all year.
Frank’s sense of place is so detailed and descriptive, I could literally smell the salt air! (Okay…so, I live at the beach, but still…) Each and every character in this story became ‘real’ for me, and the story flows so well, it’s hard to believe this is Frank’s debut novel.
Set in South Carolina’s low country, the story follows Susan Hamilton Hayes on her life’s journey, as she faces an uncertain future and comes to terms with an often-tremulous past. The chapters of the book alternate between 1963 (Susan’s 13th year) and the present day (1999).
When we meet Susan, she and her teenage daughter, Beth, are heading back to her family home, The Island Gamble, to spend some time with her sister and come to terms with the dissolution of her marriage and her estranged husbands infidelities. With the steadfast support of her sister Maggie, Susan wades through the events of her current situation with grace, humor and a steeled determination. I loved Susan’s attitude, having found out that Karen - the New Age twenty-something that is Tom’s (Susan’s husband) mid-life crisis – was talking to Beth about their sex life, Susan left the following message on her machine:
“Tiger Woman? This is Susan Hayes calling. Kindly confine the bells and whistles of your sex life with my husband to conversations with other adults. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to educate my daughter about the joys of illegal cohabitation. My daughter is a minor and does not need to hear about how her father and his concubine thrill each other. The minute descriptions of your repugnant gymnastics are of no interest to either one of us. If this message needs any clarification, you may call me. If this continues to be an issue, my lawyer will call you. You’ll find concubine and repugnant in the dictionary – if you own one – which I seriously doubt.” (pg. 225)
Now THAT’s funny.
The other story Susan has to tell is one of her childhood, growing up a Geechee girl and the beauty and heartache that that entailed. As one of six children, brought up with an abusive father, a weak mother, a crazy grandmother and a wonderful, strong Gullah woman, Livvie, the reader is transported to 1963 in a tale of love, pain, heritage and home. The scenes the author paints are vivid:
“We were our own parade. We cast long shadows on the soft, wet sand, bulked up by the towels thrown over our shoulders. Our footprints formed and irregular trail. An occasional sun worshipper would glance up from her paperback novel and remark on our passing to a friend in the beach chair next to her.” (pg. 77)
Sometimes infuriating:
“…I could hear Timmy crying as the belt cracked across his back…I passed the top of the steps and saw my mother sitting at the bottom, whimpering. She would do nothing about it. I looked at her and she looked away. She was terrified of Daddy when he was like this. I was too furious to be terrified.” (pg. 204)
Often times wickedly funny:
“Reaching for his toothbrush, I looked at it and realized he’d been brushing his teeth for someone else for a long time. I don’t know what possessed me to do it but I dunked it in the toilet. That pleased me so much that I rubbed it around the inside rim.” (pg. 8)
And always completely honest and engaging:
“It was unfair that trouble consumed you in landslides and understanding arrived with the miserly drip of a faucet.” (pg. 252)
I absolutely loved every word of this endearing, relentless tale; I cannot praise it enough.
“Sullivan’s Island” by Dorthea Benton Frank is one of those. While it was a New York Times Bestseller, the pastel artwork (while a beautiful cover!) and the cover blurbs from Pat Conroy and Bret Lott left me the impression that this would be some melodramatic, mushy women’s fiction novels that I find tedious and tiring (no means to offend these authors or their loyal fans!). Now I know this is so cliché’, but that old axiom that “we should never judge a book by its cover” is true; this may well be one of the best books I’ve read all year.
Frank’s sense of place is so detailed and descriptive, I could literally smell the salt air! (Okay…so, I live at the beach, but still…) Each and every character in this story became ‘real’ for me, and the story flows so well, it’s hard to believe this is Frank’s debut novel.
Set in South Carolina’s low country, the story follows Susan Hamilton Hayes on her life’s journey, as she faces an uncertain future and comes to terms with an often-tremulous past. The chapters of the book alternate between 1963 (Susan’s 13th year) and the present day (1999).
When we meet Susan, she and her teenage daughter, Beth, are heading back to her family home, The Island Gamble, to spend some time with her sister and come to terms with the dissolution of her marriage and her estranged husbands infidelities. With the steadfast support of her sister Maggie, Susan wades through the events of her current situation with grace, humor and a steeled determination. I loved Susan’s attitude, having found out that Karen - the New Age twenty-something that is Tom’s (Susan’s husband) mid-life crisis – was talking to Beth about their sex life, Susan left the following message on her machine:
“Tiger Woman? This is Susan Hayes calling. Kindly confine the bells and whistles of your sex life with my husband to conversations with other adults. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to educate my daughter about the joys of illegal cohabitation. My daughter is a minor and does not need to hear about how her father and his concubine thrill each other. The minute descriptions of your repugnant gymnastics are of no interest to either one of us. If this message needs any clarification, you may call me. If this continues to be an issue, my lawyer will call you. You’ll find concubine and repugnant in the dictionary – if you own one – which I seriously doubt.” (pg. 225)
Now THAT’s funny.
The other story Susan has to tell is one of her childhood, growing up a Geechee girl and the beauty and heartache that that entailed. As one of six children, brought up with an abusive father, a weak mother, a crazy grandmother and a wonderful, strong Gullah woman, Livvie, the reader is transported to 1963 in a tale of love, pain, heritage and home. The scenes the author paints are vivid:
“We were our own parade. We cast long shadows on the soft, wet sand, bulked up by the towels thrown over our shoulders. Our footprints formed and irregular trail. An occasional sun worshipper would glance up from her paperback novel and remark on our passing to a friend in the beach chair next to her.” (pg. 77)
Sometimes infuriating:
“…I could hear Timmy crying as the belt cracked across his back…I passed the top of the steps and saw my mother sitting at the bottom, whimpering. She would do nothing about it. I looked at her and she looked away. She was terrified of Daddy when he was like this. I was too furious to be terrified.” (pg. 204)
Often times wickedly funny:
“Reaching for his toothbrush, I looked at it and realized he’d been brushing his teeth for someone else for a long time. I don’t know what possessed me to do it but I dunked it in the toilet. That pleased me so much that I rubbed it around the inside rim.” (pg. 8)
And always completely honest and engaging:
“It was unfair that trouble consumed you in landslides and understanding arrived with the miserly drip of a faucet.” (pg. 252)
I absolutely loved every word of this endearing, relentless tale; I cannot praise it enough.
January 1, 2009
This is one of those books I often share with folks who want to know more about the lowcountry of SC. Franks is one of my favorite authors for catching a flavor of the area, and as she is a popular writer, I have about eleventy billion of her books on my BookCrossing shelf.
Sullivan's Island is a one of our sea islands surrounding the Charleston peninsula. I live on one across the harbor from it (James Island). It is a beautiful beach, setting for Poe's The Gold Bug, and also the location of Fort Moultrie, which was important in our Revolutionary War. Dottie Frank was also a few years ahead of me in high school- we went to an all-girls boarding school called Ashley Hall. How's THAT for Southern?
I do have to say, though, I get a little bored with books about a woman of a certain age returning home to come to terms with herself/her mother/her father/or some injustice, and being nurtured by the land and a solid, almost mystical black woman who has played a huge role in her life. Just sayin'.
Sullivan's Island is a one of our sea islands surrounding the Charleston peninsula. I live on one across the harbor from it (James Island). It is a beautiful beach, setting for Poe's The Gold Bug, and also the location of Fort Moultrie, which was important in our Revolutionary War. Dottie Frank was also a few years ahead of me in high school- we went to an all-girls boarding school called Ashley Hall. How's THAT for Southern?
I do have to say, though, I get a little bored with books about a woman of a certain age returning home to come to terms with herself/her mother/her father/or some injustice, and being nurtured by the land and a solid, almost mystical black woman who has played a huge role in her life. Just sayin'.
February 15, 2013
There isn't a book I haven't read by Dorthea Benton Frank. This book is the reason why.
July 5, 2015
From the jacket: Born and raised on idyllic Sullivan’s Island, Susan Hayes navigated through her turbulent childhood with humor, spunk, and characteristic Southern sass. But years later, she is a conflicted woman with an unfaithful husband, a sometimes resentful teenage daughter, and a heart that aches with painful, poignant memories. And as Susan faces her uncertain future, she realizes that she must go back to her past. To the beachfront house where her sister welcomes her with open arms.
My reactions
I know that Frank writes chick-lit, beach books, so I wasn’t expecting great literature, and my expectations were met. The problem I had with the book comes from Frank’s attempts to tell two stories: the contemporary (1999) story of Susan’s failing marriage, and the 1963 story of Susan’s childhood and the loss of her father. Neither story is sufficiently fleshed out to be satisfying, and I wish she had chosen one or the other to tell. Still, it’s a fast read, and I liked the relationship between Susan and her sister, Maggie.
I could have done without the seemingly forced Gullah dialect. And without the mirror that apparently allows one to communicate with the dead. On the other hand, there were a few scenes that were just priceless. I especially loved the scene where the housekeeper Livvie is drinking Coke from one of Susan’s mother’s best crystal goblets, crystal that NO ONE drinks from: “Momma saved that crystal in case President Kennedy decided to come for dinner.” I had to laugh aloud, thinking of my own mother’s “special” china.
I might read another of Frank’s book if I need a quick read for a challenge, but I’m in no hurry to do so.
My reactions
I know that Frank writes chick-lit, beach books, so I wasn’t expecting great literature, and my expectations were met. The problem I had with the book comes from Frank’s attempts to tell two stories: the contemporary (1999) story of Susan’s failing marriage, and the 1963 story of Susan’s childhood and the loss of her father. Neither story is sufficiently fleshed out to be satisfying, and I wish she had chosen one or the other to tell. Still, it’s a fast read, and I liked the relationship between Susan and her sister, Maggie.
I could have done without the seemingly forced Gullah dialect. And without the mirror that apparently allows one to communicate with the dead. On the other hand, there were a few scenes that were just priceless. I especially loved the scene where the housekeeper Livvie is drinking Coke from one of Susan’s mother’s best crystal goblets, crystal that NO ONE drinks from: “Momma saved that crystal in case President Kennedy decided to come for dinner.” I had to laugh aloud, thinking of my own mother’s “special” china.
I might read another of Frank’s book if I need a quick read for a challenge, but I’m in no hurry to do so.
June 22, 2012
I enjoyed reading about steamy and stormy Sullivan's Island off the coast of South Carolina, so different from our beautiful mountainous desert. My favorite character was Livvie, a descendant of African slaves, who lovingly worked for and cared for a dysfuntional Southern family. Here are some sentences from the book that suggest Livvie's sage and spiritual views:
"Her passion for righteousness was stronger than our frenzy."
Livvie said, "When folks around you do crazy things, it's the devil trying to distract you from your purpose."
Livvie also said, "When you let your mind dwell on trouble, you can't be doing what you needs to be doing," and "...when trouble come knocking on your door, you turn your mind to the Lawd,"
"Livvie, if you had a chance to do something really big, would you do it?" "Chile, I am doing something really big. I'm praising Gawd every day!"
***
This is what the author said about Sullivan's Island, "Once the sand of Sullivan's Island gets in your shoes, your heart will ache to return."
"Her passion for righteousness was stronger than our frenzy."
Livvie said, "When folks around you do crazy things, it's the devil trying to distract you from your purpose."
Livvie also said, "When you let your mind dwell on trouble, you can't be doing what you needs to be doing," and "...when trouble come knocking on your door, you turn your mind to the Lawd,"
"Livvie, if you had a chance to do something really big, would you do it?" "Chile, I am doing something really big. I'm praising Gawd every day!"
***
This is what the author said about Sullivan's Island, "Once the sand of Sullivan's Island gets in your shoes, your heart will ache to return."
July 26, 2014
Phenomenal family saga. I was hooked from the very beginning, could not put this book down and I did not want it to end. Dorothea Benton Frank is a very gifted storyteller!! It's rare, for me at least, to read a book and resonate with characters, feel connected with the story and to feel with the characters so that I laugh, shed a tear or stop to ponder some bit of wisdom that was said. I highly recommend Sullivan's Island.
While reading Sullivan's Island, I was reminded of what could be considered similar books: Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin and in some ways, the YaYa Sisterhood books by Rebecca Wells. SO, you get 3 book recommendations in one review!
While reading Sullivan's Island, I was reminded of what could be considered similar books: Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin and in some ways, the YaYa Sisterhood books by Rebecca Wells. SO, you get 3 book recommendations in one review!
March 8, 2022
One of the best beach reads for the Summer. It’s about a family with seven kids living on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina during sixties and when the children are grown up in the nineties. Sibling rivalry, school girl crushes, losing a love one, civil rights, fidelity and so much more.
June 1, 2016
A truly immensely enjoyable read. This is Dorothea Benton Frank’s first successful book and I can see why it launched her career. She writes from the heart and from what she knows, having grown up right where the story’s set: South Carolina’s low country, where this story follows Susan Hamilton Hayes on her life’s journey, as she faces an uncertain future and comes to terms with an often-stirred up past. The chapters of the book alternate between 1963 (Susan’s 13th year) and the present day (1999).
When we meet Susan, she and her teenage daughter, Beth, are heading back to her family home, The Island Gamble on Sullivan’s Island, to spend some time with her sister and come to terms with the dissolution of her marriage and her estranged husbands infidelities. With the steadfast support of her sister Maggie, Susan wades through the events of her current situation with grace, wit and a steeled determination. I loved Susan’s attitude; how she handled her separation and how she reflects on it with wisdom and maturity.
I simply adored the chapters recapturing the Hamilton kids’ youth, one year in particular: 1963. The year, their help, Livvie came into their life. Livvie’s a magnificent character, a tall, strong-willed and wise woman. Loved her every time she opened her mouth, whether it was to stand up to the kids’ formidable, but abusive father, or to share her strong belief in goodness and in God.
The Hamilton kids, Maggie, Susan, Henry and Timmy were resilient and good-natured, but also genuine children, who liked to play pranks. 1963 was even more significant as it was the year their Daddy died in a car crash. More than ever now, Susan believes that car crash was no accident.
This is a wonderful read. I savoured each page, and I’d surely recommend it to my friends. Personally, I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
When we meet Susan, she and her teenage daughter, Beth, are heading back to her family home, The Island Gamble on Sullivan’s Island, to spend some time with her sister and come to terms with the dissolution of her marriage and her estranged husbands infidelities. With the steadfast support of her sister Maggie, Susan wades through the events of her current situation with grace, wit and a steeled determination. I loved Susan’s attitude; how she handled her separation and how she reflects on it with wisdom and maturity.
I simply adored the chapters recapturing the Hamilton kids’ youth, one year in particular: 1963. The year, their help, Livvie came into their life. Livvie’s a magnificent character, a tall, strong-willed and wise woman. Loved her every time she opened her mouth, whether it was to stand up to the kids’ formidable, but abusive father, or to share her strong belief in goodness and in God.
The Hamilton kids, Maggie, Susan, Henry and Timmy were resilient and good-natured, but also genuine children, who liked to play pranks. 1963 was even more significant as it was the year their Daddy died in a car crash. More than ever now, Susan believes that car crash was no accident.
This is a wonderful read. I savoured each page, and I’d surely recommend it to my friends. Personally, I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
October 22, 2009
If I didn't live in South Carolina, I don't know if I would get into the setting and book as much as I did, but I LOVED this book. The character development is so good that I wanted to be best friends with the main character! She is so witty and funny that I found myself laughing out loud while reading. I loved the drama and emotion of her childhood story and I LOVED Livvie. It was just a great book...fun to read and I can't wait to read the sequel.
December 31, 2024
Another I had already read. I missed recording it. Don't recall enough for a review.
September 3, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I couldn’t put it down. It seems the author put a lot of time and effort into historical research to make this story come alive. The parallel stories were heartbreaking, joyful, dark spots that held your breath.
February 19, 2015
I've read one other book by Dorothea Benton Frank, and I really enjoyed it. I picked up Sullivan's Island at the YMCA lending library and I felt like I was reading the same book, or at least a variation on that book.
Strong middle aged female gets dumped by her husband of many years for a sweet young thing. There's a lot of rehashing of the past, which is the only thing that made the book worth reading. The 1960's south always makes for good reading. I adored Livvie and the fact that Susan's family, or rather her mom and dad weren't bigots and actually built a special bathroom for her, rather than making her use an outhouse was great. (If you read The Help or saw the movie, this will make a lot more sense)
Most of the book that takes place in the present, details Susan coming into her own, and coping with her divorce from Tom. And seriously, why does this woman give her cheating men cancer, and make them absolute twits too?
There were several times when I was reading about Tom and his sweet young thang, Karen, that I wanted to fling the book at a wall.
Not only that, I found myself wondering where in the hideeheck, the twins were during Christmas 1999, when all the Hamilton clan returned home. Maggie, Susan, Henry and Timmy were there, but what about the twins? WTF!
Overall, I enjoyed the book, even though it frustrated the hell out of me and the paranormal ending, which was sweet, also didn't fit with the rest of the story.
Strong middle aged female gets dumped by her husband of many years for a sweet young thing. There's a lot of rehashing of the past, which is the only thing that made the book worth reading. The 1960's south always makes for good reading. I adored Livvie and the fact that Susan's family, or rather her mom and dad weren't bigots and actually built a special bathroom for her, rather than making her use an outhouse was great. (If you read The Help or saw the movie, this will make a lot more sense)
Most of the book that takes place in the present, details Susan coming into her own, and coping with her divorce from Tom. And seriously, why does this woman give her cheating men cancer, and make them absolute twits too?
There were several times when I was reading about Tom and his sweet young thang, Karen, that I wanted to fling the book at a wall.
Not only that, I found myself wondering where in the hideeheck, the twins were during Christmas 1999, when all the Hamilton clan returned home. Maggie, Susan, Henry and Timmy were there, but what about the twins? WTF!
Overall, I enjoyed the book, even though it frustrated the hell out of me and the paranormal ending, which was sweet, also didn't fit with the rest of the story.
June 10, 2022
There is real genuine hope in these pages. Unapologetically spiritual. 1999 style. Ah.
July 24, 2014
This book was a gift from my stepmother who lives in Charleston and it took me a few years to finally pick it up and read it- As a Charleston native I am always a little skeptical of books that are about Charleston. The fact that the author is from Charleston too and went to my high school, Bishop England, made me want to read the book. Frank definitely understands the lay of the land in Charleston and what it's like to grow up in the Lowcountry - I could relate perfectly to this era and elements like having black housekeepers like Livvie who knew all the family secrets and were part of the family. The book is full of crazy characters and high drama - some of it believable, other parts a little far fetched -- All in all, a good Summer read with enough reality to make it believable and enough surprise to keep you turning the pages.
March 16, 2021
it did my heart so much good to reread this right now with all that is going on. Dorothea Frank has always been my favorite fiction writer and when she died last fall we lost a great writer. Its so sad to know there wont be a new Frank book every summer to look forward too. I have not read the last two of hers yet decided to start at the beginning again and read from the first book. I feel it will make it last longer before I finish with Queen Bee and realization kicks in that there will be no more from this wonderful writer. Dorothea thanks for giving us twenty wonderful books I will treasure always and reread many times
July 7, 2019
I love this low country tale. I read it first 20 years ago when it first came out. I couldn't remember much, just the sea salt feeling, laughter and sadness. Re-reading it now as a much older adult who has experienced the pains of growing up, strains of being a child and then a parent yourself and now recently losing people in my family. Like Susan, some were angels on earth and some that have caused me to battle between my guilt, anger and love for them. It's just a wonderful story set in a beautiful place and time.
November 8, 2010
Loved it! I love the low country and southern history, the good and the bad. This story was so rich in low country history, I thought I was there. I could feel the beach under my feet, smell the salt air, vision the beautiful marshes, the warmth of Livvie's love..... I'm going to make a point of visiting Sullivan's Island during my next trip to South Carolina.
May 27, 2017
I enjoyed this book from cover to cover and cannot say enough about it! I understand that there is a sequel, Return to Sullivan's Island, and I will definitely be reading that one. I loved the characters and the setting in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, which I learned is a place that really exists! There is nothing like a setting on the Atlantic Ocean, too!
October 2, 2018
The setting is Sullivan Island in South Carolina’s low country. I’m fascinated with this part of the country and the tough, scrappy folks it fosters. The story is told with a sharp, cutting humor and blunt truths. I laughed out loud and cried with the characters. Can’t wait to start the next book in the series.
June 9, 2023
This is Frank's debut novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very memorable characters and very relevant, even though this was published in 1999. It was amusing reading about the importance of the Milennium towards the end of the "year" reported on here. Makes me want to be a voyeur and go see the real Sullivan's Island on which Frank actually grew up.
January 16, 2022
©1999
This is my first Dorothea Benton Frank book - and also her first book (which she wrote to be able to purchase her family home in SC.) The chapters alternate 1963 and 1999. There is humor and hardship and racial tension of the south.
This is my first Dorothea Benton Frank book - and also her first book (which she wrote to be able to purchase her family home in SC.) The chapters alternate 1963 and 1999. There is humor and hardship and racial tension of the south.
March 7, 2023
My mom has been encouraging me to read Dorothea Benton Frank for years and I now understand why. So beautifully written and the plot kept me on my toes the entire book. I felt the southern warmth even through all the chaos in the story that Susan faced her whole life.
July 31, 2013
This was an amazing book!! I will be going to get the sequel after work!
June 27, 2022
Two-haiku review:
Her husband leaves her
She struggles with the present
Remembers the past
Heart-warming, funny
Kept me engaged for whole book
Loved the characters
Her husband leaves her
She struggles with the present
Remembers the past
Heart-warming, funny
Kept me engaged for whole book
Loved the characters
April 11, 2014
As in so many audiobooks, the narrator makes or breaks the story, thus the two stars. Might have been three if I had read a print copy. It was irritating to me because the southern accent was inconsistent. I realize that sometimes they were mimicking Livey, but sometimes it was hard to tell who was talking. It was not necessary to have the narrator sound like she was leaving the sound booth when the characters said, "Hello!" or "I'll be down in a minute."
Moving between the two eras, 1963 and 1999, worked well to connect the events, but it made me wonder if there weren't any other significant times during this family's life. I think Susan and Beth were a bit unrealistic. Too funny what she did with Tom's cologne and toothbrush (no spoilers here) but then her acceptance of his friendship seemed too easy, that he got what he wanted. Beth was a perfect 14-year old, and it seemed necessary or Susan could not have handled it. The happy ending with Simon was too predictable but there were good twists and turns on the way.
This story would work well for a quick, light summer read.
Moving between the two eras, 1963 and 1999, worked well to connect the events, but it made me wonder if there weren't any other significant times during this family's life. I think Susan and Beth were a bit unrealistic. Too funny what she did with Tom's cologne and toothbrush (no spoilers here) but then her acceptance of his friendship seemed too easy, that he got what he wanted. Beth was a perfect 14-year old, and it seemed necessary or Susan could not have handled it. The happy ending with Simon was too predictable but there were good twists and turns on the way.
This story would work well for a quick, light summer read.
July 2, 2018
2018, but not going to add it to my annual book shelf-it doesn't deserve a place there. Ugh. What a terrible chore to get from one page to another. The dialogue and the internal dialogue is so unnatural, you never get to the point of feeling like the main character is a real person. One particularly off-putting example was when these two wealthy white women are at lunch, "Close ya jaw, girl, or you gone be catching flies." "This is gonna be like squashing an ant with an anvil! Wait till Tom finds out!" "Tom found out." "How'd he take it?" "Not well. He little party be over now. She gone clean he clock." Perhaps the author doesn't intend to be offensive as her main character mimics Gullah, a very old island/slave dialect. I found it uncomfortable. The interaction with her attorney is weird, and with her daughter very forced and fake sounding. I could give lots of examples but the point is, none of this is worth anyone's time.
May 31, 2025
I have read two other Benton Frank books that I liked much better than this one. Something about this story seemed disjointed to me, especially the part about Simon. Maybe I zoned out at some point in my reading, but he just seemed to come out of nowhere near the end. I also got a little tired of Susan worrying about Tom in the end after spending so much of the book disliking him. I would have preferred more of the story from 1963 than 1999, especially the mystery of Hank’s death. Not a terrible read, but not one that I enjoyed as much as I had hoped.
July 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this. Good summer read but not just fluff. Good story and well written. Makes you really interested in the characters. What to know what happens me to them. Looking forward to reading her other books.
July 24, 2020
This is a vacation to a magical place, with people that walk off the page and stay with you. I am so glad I have read my first from Dorothea Benton Frank, and I’m looking forward to visiting her world again.
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