Full of Grace

by Dorothea Benton Frank

Hilton Head, a South Carolina retirement heaven --- at least it's supposed to be, but for Big Al and Connie Russo, the move from New Jersey to this southern paradise has been fraught with just a few complications. Especially for their daughter, Grace.

Well, that's what she likes to be called. Her family insists on Maria Graziella. Seriously, enough with the Neapolitan. That might have been okay in New Jersey, but now it's just plain silly, and Grace at thirty-two is, horror of horrors, still unmarried. No wonder her family drives her crazy. Well, that and the fact that she's living with the man she would marry if they both weren't so commitment phobic. Michael is a doctor and a scientist and Grace is pretty sure he's also an atheist. Over the years, Grace has become a bit ambivalent about her faith, but her family is as old-fashioned Italian as they come. So the stage is set for a major showdown that just might change Grace's outlook on life, family, and the New South.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Southern, Beach Reads, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

317 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2006

About the author

Dorothea 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.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful novel that will either shake up your belief system or confirm that your faith is right where it needs to be. As a non-catholic, I will also say that it went a long way toward helping me understand some aspects of that faith. The author bravely deals with conflicts between the modern world and religious beliefs. I read this years ago but picked up the book on CD version recently to help pass the time as I drove back and forth for chemo treatments. I had forgotten that the book had a cancer connection and I'm glad I did otherwise I would have put it back on the shelf and missed a message I needed to hear.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm mulling this one over in my mind...an interesting mix of Charleston and Catholicism and not sure how I feel about it all. Give me a minute.

Okay, I've got it now. The reason I had such a hard time with writing an entry was because of the range of reactions I had to reading this. In one sense, I found it very much in the style of Dottie Frank, so it was like slipping into a comfortable pair of jeans. It's always interesting to me to see how she pops in local places and faces from Charleston. (Don't forget our license plates say "Smiling faces, beautiful places.) On the other hand, this time, I found things a bit too "pat"-- the ends tied up in too pretty of a bow, but that's probably the space I am in my life right now where my strings are all still unraveled and some are quite knotted.

The thing that saved this book for me was the reactions Grace had in the church in Italy and in Mexico, and the presence of Mary-- and how Grace unfolded in her heart's awareness. Miracles aside, I really liked reading about how gently Grace's inner calling awakened and how Mary reached out. Anyhow, it's not great literature, but when you need a little break from Tolstoy, this might be the ticket!

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to give up on this one. The characters were flat, the story line completely boring, family interactions were unnecessarily nauseatingly drawn out. The theme of miracles, esprcially relating to the Catholic church, was insultingly simplistic and not at all believable or captivating. I rarely give up on books, but this one was BAD!

[Kayla Deangeles · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title of the book should be "Being Mean to Marianne." Grace actually is full of herself and, in the end, her smart mouth is tiresome. The story doesn't speak well of Italians or Catholics, as they come off as narrow and clique-ish. Some of the writing is entertaining but forgettable. I would not recommend it.

[Trish Waters · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my third book that I have read by this author (after Plantation and Pawley's Island). While I think she's an excellent author and captured the flavor of the area, I found all her female main characters to have a bit of a snobbish mean streak. In each story there is one "white trash" character, who I don't think is necessary to the story. The narrator is constantly putting down and making fun of that person. I'm not sure if I want to continue her books if this formula continues.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out with a good solid storyline -- of a woman with an interesting job and a crazy family and loving boyfriend. Then the author completely lost me with the religious -- and unrealistic -- tone of the final quarter or so of the book. Couldn't wait for it to end, and, in fact, probably skimmed the final few pages.

[Marleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When this book started, I wasn't very convinced and I thought: Who are those Russos and why are they so terrible to each other? Then when I read on, they became more nuanced. Granted, they are staunched Catholics, and their daughter, Grace, is not - and therein lies the whole conflict.
But if the parents and the grandmother are such die-hard believers, why can't they open their hearts to their daughter and her boyfriend, I wonder? Faith is love, and faith is forgiveness, so why not love and accept? Luckily, with time, the parents become more flexible, and they start to accept Grace's boyfriend, Michael, another lapsed Catholic, and from Irish descent to boot.
Of course, this is Grace's story and I thought her musings and her introspection, questioning herself and her faith were interesting.
Not your usual Dorothea Frank, but surely compelling enough. It feels like a very personal book. A book to be taken with a grain of salt. On the other hand, I enjoyed hearing about Grace's job and what it offered: the travel, the food, the scenery. Also I liked Grace and Michael's relationship; they were the real deal and they remained strong and withstood the many obstacles that came their way.

[Tirzah Eleora · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking for a light, fluffy read to peruse over the holidays when I didn't have a lot of brainpower for digesting something deep, and I picked up Full of Grace at the library. The summary sounded promising, but within the first few pages I was disappointed. On principle I try to never leave a book half-read, and I plowed on, giving it some grace (pun intended) and a chance to redeem itself, but no such luck. The biggest reason for this was the terribly flat manner in which the characters were written. They didn't come alive for me at all, and I found myself unable to relate to their various emotions. This was partially due to the very unnatural dialogue that was painful to read. In addition to this, the whole thing of the fallen away Catholic and agnostic boyfriend being drawn to the church via Marian miracle was hard to swallow, but not because I'm a sceptic. I felt that the author failed to portray the reactions of Michael and Grace in a manner consistent with their supernatural experience. They were just like, "Yeah, we were just in this church looking at this old picture of Mary on this poncho that these people all believe was put there by her ages ago, and BOOM! Michael gets cured from his fatal brain tumor just like that. Huh. Guess we should start going to church because this whole Church, God, Mary thing might have something to it after all..." Michael especially obviously only believes in the miracle because he's run out of other options (not that that is necessarily unbelievable if your character is an agnostic, but he seems to lack the appropriate wonder that one who just escaped certain death would have at suddenly being healed). They both seem blithely obliviously to the fact that being in communion with the Catholic Church would completely change their way of life. It was implied that the intend to get married at the end of the book, but even that felt very casual and not at all the result of a experiencing a phenomenon. If you're going to tackle a supernatural healing in a story, you need to change your characters accordingly.

As a side complaint, I was also very annoyed at how the author portrayed Father John as being in disagreement with the Church on certain touchy topics, again not because it's unrealistic. I'm sure there are Catholic priests out there who don't believe what they are supposed to, but in this case I felt the author was merely using it as ploy to skirt the hard reality of all that being a Catholic entails. Now that I come to think of it, it's a bit odd that author should write a book about a girl's renewed belief in the Church when the author herself clearly wants to pick and choose which teachings of the Church she likes.

And the love story was lame and cliche.

Alright, I'll stop grumping. But really, if you are looking for a lovely romance to wile an afternoon away with, do yourself a favor and pass this one by.

[Debby]

Overall, Full of Grace is like My Big Fat Greek Wedding but with a crazy cast of characters from a hard-core Italian Catholic family. Grace (the over-30 and seemingly content to still be unmarried daughter of this family) is and always will be Maria Graciella to her grandmother.
Add to this storyline Michael, Grace's live-in commitment-challenged boyfriend who is Irish, an agnostic and whose calling in life is doing stem cell research. He has never met Grace's family because he's neither Italian nor a good practicing Catholic (neither is Grace) and there's also that problem with the Pope's opinion of Michael's career. So far, so good and very entertaining.

hen, comes a big twist in the storyline; a big shift into Grace's issues with the Catholic church and a road trip involving healing water, blessed rosaries, holy cards and some Virgin Mary sightings. (Seriously, do Catholics ignore the fact that she had more children after Jesus?) Well, here's where the book loses me for the most part.
I had the same problem with Jodi Picoult's books about stigmata and the Jesus wantabe death-row convict and also Vivi's mother's Catholic stuff in Rebecca Wells' YaYa Sisterhood books.
So if it wasn't for that stuff, I'd have given this book 4 stars because the family dynamics are so funny. Grace is so sarcastic and someone I'd love to have as a friend. But, to much of the Catholic stuff made it, in the end, just an OK read.
I really liked Frank's book Shem Creek and I have several of her books on my TBR shelf. I'll try another in a few months.

[marylou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started out strong.....but really fizzled out in the last 1/4 of the book....became very annoying

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothea Benton Frank is one of my very favorite authors. This book was different from her others, and I loved it. Raised Protestant, I married into an Italian American Catholic family, and I could identify with both Grace and Michael. We have a son who received a similar miracle as a baby and I had discounted it over the years that have gone by...this book refreshed it all in a necessary way.
I will say I listened to this on Audible - and did not love the narration.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite by Dorthea Benton Frank! All her books make me feel like I am on vacation in Charleston!

[Maygon Brack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Catholic Fiction!! It started a tad slow and it’s not exactly what I’m used to reading from Dorothea, but still just as great… to tell you the truth it may be my favorite of hers!! I laughed, I teared up and it brought me to thinking!! Family drama, love, faith, hope and miracles!! It still had that southern charm, but add in an Italian catholic family… kept me laughing!! I loved Nonna!! I loved so many of the characters in this book!! I listened to the audiobook and the authors interview at the end was wonderful!!! You have to listen to her interview!!

[Lucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love the Lowcountry like no other place, have enjoyed all of Dorothea Benton Frank's other books and I'm Italian so I expected this book to be right up my alley. Not so. I read about 1/3 of it and just couldn't finish it (which is a first for me). This book was dull, disjointed and felt contrived. As I skimmed ahead hoping to find some inspiration to continue reading I also felt that the health issue was written in a completely unbelievable way. I just couldn't stomach the way the characters behaved. Blech.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not the typical Dorothea Frank book but I still liked it in fact I liked it more because it wasn't her typical story. This was a story of faith and I loved it strictly for that. I went to Europe a few years ago in 2016 and had a deeply religious experience at Lourdes and then Fatima. Lourdes however was a very strong religious experience one i will never forget and I did not go there with any expectations or special request but something happened to me there.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yikes - I was looking for such a better book. Story line very dis-jointer and drawn out. Boring characters who say they are devout Catholics but they treat their 31 year old daughter and boyfriend so horrid just because they don't believe the same? Shame on them. And the worst is, she allows it???

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm with Carly, my least favorite of Dorothea's books... the lowcountry setting is not evident enough to make me love it!!

[Madison Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve picked up since I was a child and it made me love reading for the first time in my life. I found myself relating to Grace (the main character) in more ways than one. I will tell you I learned so many things about myself and life and religion and olden day stereotypes just by picking up this book. I fell in love with the setting of the book and will continue reading Dorothea Benton Frank books until I’m blue in the face. She writes her books in relatively the same settings which I find is easier for me to follow even though she switches up the characters and storyline.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite go to authors, so I went into this book with some expectations...well into the first chapter I realized this was much different from any other DBF novel I had read. So I tried to shift my expectations and enjoy the story being told. On the bigger picture, I did enjoy the story and the self reflection I did reading this book. What I didn’t like about the story was Grace and her family....I tried, but they were just a bit too much for me..like fingers on a chalkboard...and maybe that was the intention of DBF.
I realize this is a book from early in her writing and maybe she tweaked her style to the one I really enjoy, but for the most part...just meh.

[Patricia King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of Grace
Dorothea Benton Frank, author

This is my first novel by this author and, although it began on the boring side for me due to all the knit picking among the characters, I powered through and read on. I'm so happy I did too, as it was a beautiful story about family and faith. No one is perfect, but everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves.

I recommend this book to others that can keep an open mind and remember not to give up.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny. The ending felt contrived and “too put together,” but I was looking for a light, beachy read and even with brain cancer and lots of religion it still felt light to me. I’m a devout Catholic so I enjoyed the spiritual side.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written story. Hugely emotional.

[Sarah McBee Conner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the typical DBF book. A lot of religion, miracles and family drama. Well I guess family drama is typical. Overall a very good book.

[Elsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was surprising in many ways. Having read several books by this author, I was sure I would like this one as well. I did, but not the way that I expected.

The book starts with a rather mundane accounting of Grace's day-to-day life. She's living with her boyfriend, Michael, who is a research physician. On holidays, she visits her family—but without Michael who isn't welcome at her parent's home. Part of the reason is because he's using stem cells in his research and their Catholic doctrine condemns it. But the primary reason is that he's not Italian; he's Irish, of all things.

I was lulled along, getting to know the Russos through Grace's visits with them—the conflicts being played out over a dinner table loaded with holiday goodies. Then, the family has to face two crises. First, Nonna falls and breaks her hip. In considerable pain, she refuses to cooperate with her therapists and demands to go home, expecting Grace's mother to care for her around the clock. Then, Michael is diagnosed with a virulent form of cancer and Grace needs her family's support as never before.

My favorite character in this book is Father John. I'd like to meet him in real life. In one scene, discussing en vitro fertilization, he says, "I think that the Church's major area of concern has always been that children are begotten not made. Is it right to make children in a laboratory setting just because we can?" And also, "The trick is not to rationalize your decisions knowing that they displease God."

I was only looking for a good story, but along with that, I got some wise spiritual guidance. A good deal in my book.

[Lisa Beckelhimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a traditional Dorothea Benton Frank book. Even so, I think I liked it more than any of her other books. I read it because I love the author and I just went to Charleston a few weeks ago. I can't get enough of that beautiful city! Most of this book isn't actually set in Charleston, and the main character, Grace, isn't a native Charlestonian. This book, quite simply, is about grace - not just the character Grace, but God's grace. I won't ruin it for anyone who wants to read it, but if you're a person of faith, particularly Catholic (though I'm not and I still identified with Grace's spiritual struggles with the church), you'll love this book. It's about miracles, faith, and grace, and will confirm your beliefs. I like to read books that make me feel good, and this one sure did.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've got mixed feelings on this one. I'd only recently heard of the author and saw that lots of people like her books. This is my first. I enjoyed the writing style and the protagonist, Grace, has a good sense of humor. I found myself wishing I had her job! At times though, it was hard to remember she was thirty-five as her hatred for her brother's girlfriend felt a little juvenile and over the top. I have to say her observations about the Catholic Church gave me some things to think about. Overall I liked the story and I will certainly look into other books by this author but I did catch myself thinking that I hoped not all of her books involved the Church.

[Michele Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

An older book by the author but truly worth reading. I can rate to so much of the passion, angst, guilt etc. coming from from a close knit New Jersey Italian family.

Grace is someone you can totally relate to regardless of your origins. She loves het family immensely but at the same time is very independent. The family does not accept the man she lives with (gasp). Michael is Irish, an agnostic and Dr. doing stem cell research ( triple gasps,)
No more spoilers, read the book. She how lives are changed and somehow they live happily ever after, or let's say happy.

[Pam Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

PAM RAINEY, DENTON, TEXAS

My son in law was diagnosed with Stage 1V brain cancer in 2014. They collected before surgery and now have four year old Nellie Mae. She is adorable. This book touched me as we believe he has been healed(we are Baptist) but through prayer and belief in God’s plan we feel God has healed him. Thank you for this beautiful book of faith in God. I also write. Pam Rainey Denton Record Chronicle, Denton, Texas ( my articles have been published for 24 years once a month first Sunday of the month)

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was one of Frank's best books. Grace was one of my favorite characters of all time...I loved her sass, her loyalties, and her wit. I'd have given it 5 stars just for all the story's personalities who were warm, lovable and humorous but it did get a little monotonous and out there discussing religion, even though it was done in a non-preachy way that was thought provoking and interesting.
A really enjoyable read that left me with a feel-good impression.

[Emily at Reaching While Rooted · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book married some of my favorite things: Charleston, New Jersey/New York, travel and Catholicism. I loved Grace's Jersey family, and the character dialogue reminded me of many family get togethers my own family has been a part of in Queens. The characters were three dimensional and complex, exasperating as much as they were endearing. The story was fantastic until the ending, which I found to be a little forced and implausible.