Something Blue

by Jean Christopher Spaugh

Book summary:In this beloved, Barnes & Noble Discovery novel, Judy Duncan has a busy life as wife, mother, and partner in the family lumberyard. When her sister Tina announces her engagement to boyfriend Jimmy, Judy helps plan the wedding and tries to ignore the occasional family squabbles as pre-wedding jitters. But she comes crashing down to reality when she sees her husband, Hamp, kissing another woman the way he used to kiss her, and then a drunken friend blurts out the truth about the affair Tina and Hamp have been having for years. Judy tries to pick up the pieces of her life and resume her normal routine, but her security is gone, and with it her for for Hamp. For the first time in years, she must decide what is the best choice for her, even if it tears the family apart.Praise for Something Blue:
"A wry and deeply moving voice. I love it."Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Dillard"Unexpected turns. Poignant observations. Intriguing as well as an enjoyable read. There is a simple grace to this novel that is evident without any pretense or gloss. [Jean Christopher Spaugh's] talent lies in her ability to capture an everyday moment and crystallize it like magnifying a grain of sand in the hourglass of life. Something Blue is something worth reading."Independent Publisher"Engaging…skillful…"Publishers Weekly
"Spaugh, a Georgia author, delves deeply…and produces an involved character study. Recommended."Booklist"[A] beautiful novel, one that eulogizes the saving grace of truth. Successfully intermingling heartaches with laughter, [Spaugh] provides new insights into the complexity of mapping one's own destiny."Greensboro News & Record"If Jane Austen were alive and well, Something Blue might well be the book she would have written. Jean Christopher Spaugh has Austen's clear prose, her subtlety, her quiet wit, and her keen-eyed attention to the details of daily living. But, unlike Austen, she knows that a real story doesn't end with a wedding but begins with one. With Something Blue, Jean Christopher Spaugh joins the company of Lee Smith, Josephine Humphreys, and Jill McCorkle as an extraordinary chronicler of the lives of Southern women."R. H. W. Dillard"A fine Southern writer. Readers will be glad to recline in the easy chair with Something Blue."Winston-Salem Journal"In a lilting, melodic voice, Jean Christopher Spaugh travels to the depths of the most intimate family relations, and with skill, compassion and humor communicates the rage, hurt and confusion that accompanies the betrayal of loved ones."Barnes & Noble, who chose Something Blue as one of their Discover Great New Writers picks"A smart main character so likable you wish she were your best friend. You want her to be real… Spaugh's subject matter and her technique recall the sharp pleasures of [Jane] Austen's: dead-on narrative explanations, vivid dialogue. Spaugh's close focus upon what really matters to ordinary people refreshes the spirit. Wonderful."Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Genres: Fiction

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Debi Crawford-Poyner · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book last night I was not sure if I would continue reading it for I wondered "is this a book where the main character (Judy) has such a perfect life or will there be conflict?" I kept reading into the wee hours of the morning because I was hooked as the story unfolded. I finally stopped reading and finished it this evening. The ending was a little bit "too everything worked out in the end" but I totally understood Judy's struggles and cheered for her and her family.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread, still very good. Minus one star because the ending was too pat. Otherwise it seemed quite realistic for the particular period and place.

[Cindy Vine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The imagery in Something Blue was fantastic! Reading the novel, I could see pictures in my head while I read. Many will identify with the main character, Judy Duncan, who has so many things on the boil. Trying to juggle family, a wayward husband, work, her ambitions within an ever-changing family dynamic. Judy Duncan is the classic rescuer, trying to fix everything. However, in the relationship triangle the rescuer always ends up as the victim for a period, before making their way back to being a rescuer. I felt that the author perfectly removed a slice out of a life and placed it under a microscope for us to study every detail, every emotion. This was a great read and I recommend it highly.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I thought it was very well-written and a good story-line, but your heart just keeps aching for the main character, and you keep wondering why she keeps letting herself be treated the way she gets treated. It gives you a little insight into marriage problem victims and why they stay, even while you wish they'd leave all through the reading of it.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know the author so I'm biased, but this is a wonderful, soul-searching book. Since I spent much of my youngest years at her house, many of the descriptions remind me of my Southern childhood. A must read!

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe more like 2-1/2 stars. The description gave away that the main character's husband was having an affair with her sister but it took almost halfway into the book before she found out. There were many other frustrating and disjointed parts of the book. Really needed better editing.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up liking this book a lot more at the end than I did in the beginning.... I was frustrated with the main character/narrator for most of the book but ended up liking her in the end.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read - had some dry humor

[Rachel]

Note: Good