Pawleys Island

Lowcountry Tales #5

by Dorothea Benton Frank

Hoping to sell some of her watercolors, Becca Sims wanders into the seaside Gallery Valentine, never expecting that her life will be transformed forever by the gallery owner and his best friend, in a new novel set against the backdrop of small-town South Carolina. 250,000 first printing.

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

316 pages, Hardcover

First published May 3, 2005

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

[Lilli · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a person of color, I do not enjoy reading books whose only diverse characters are the manservant and maid to privileged white people. The fact that this story has a modern day setting makes it even less enjoyable - reading about 21st century servitude. The worst part was reading that the protagonist believed the manservant, who was cooking and serving everyone else dinner, enjoyed being included in an out of town travel event when the group stayed in a historic hotel. I'm sure he lived enthusiastically each day to be less than the people he was constantly around.

[Linda Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like what Jennifer, a goodreads reviewer, said,"one of my guilty pleasures. When I should be reading something 'literary' or something for work, I curl up with one of her books and take a little vacation. She does a great job of making the low country of the Carolinas sing a siren song." Her stories are formulaic, filled with great Southern humor, her characters are memorably quirky and real, and everything always ends well. The audio book is charmingly read by the author.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca suddenly found herself dumped by her husband Nat, and her two kids taken away from her by the courts. She leaves Charleston and heads off to a friends to try and get on with her life. While there, she stops in at a local art gallery in the neighboring Pawleys Island to try and sell some of her watercolor prints and its there that she meets Huey, a man that is about to change her life for the better. He hires Rebecca to work at the gallery, shows her work at an opening, and most importantly introduces her to his best friend Abigail. Abigail, a retired divorce attorney who is hiding on the island as well after both husband and son died. She takes Rebecca under her wing and decides to help Rebecca our with her divorce. As more information is found out about Nat, the better the story becomes. You cant help but love all the characters in Pawleys Island and fight for the underdog.

[Marleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always looking for writers that capture that unique southern feel, I stumbled upon Dorothea Benton Frank.
As it turned out this was a surprisingly enjoyable read. Not only did it render that incomparable southern atmosphere with Pawleys Island and Charleston as backdrop, but it also provided us with delightful characters, well-established in the area, with ancestors going back centuries. I just loved the eccentric Huey and his entourage of family and friends.
There were many captivating elements to this book: a nasty divorce case that is being tried in family court; that was so thrilling and had many comical situations. Then there are the unconditional friendships that were forged and the life-lessons the characters drew after suffering immense losses. It's in the healing process that the growing and self-reflection takes place - I liked that because it's often true. We only learn from our sorrows.
Granted, the author did an amazing job - all with wit and good humor - bringing back to the forefront very important values like marriage vows, parental obligations, and that mutual respect in families should be high up there. All great stuff so easily forgotten these days.

[Tasha Thibodeau · Rating 1 out of 5]

LOL this book. Where to even begin the saga that has been reading this book. I read about halfway through and by that time I felt like all of the characters were one dimensional and so, so snobby. After spending half of the book with these snobby old coots, I thought I would give it up and begin another book; however, giving up on a book is something I save specially for real trash, so I found myself going back to finish it. Hurricane Gaston was probably my favorite character, yes the weather in the book was more personable than the so called people in the book. I enjoyed the few parts about the spirit of the Grey Man, as well as the romantic setting of Pawley's Island, which does indeed sound like a dream but trust me- hurricanes, romantic settings and mention of a ghost did not save this book for me, which is why I gave it one star. Towards the end of the book, one character references their dinner as a "traditional, 1800's plantation meal, including being served by African Americans" at this point, I must remind you this book takes place in 2004... just gross. Save yourself some time and read something else.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! I found this at the perfect stage in my life. The real story began after this quote “What happens to a woman with infinite blessings- good health, plenty of resources, a reasonably sharp mind, decent looks - what happens when she drops off the face of the earth to her entire past . . . With no demands on her time other than the ones she arranges herself? . . . When she has no challenges other than improving her handicap?”
“I’ll tell you what happens. She gets bitter. Dull. She smolders in her self-inflicted pit of insignificance. Smiles for the outside world and is miserable inside- that’s what she is.” It’s all uphill from here. I’m reading Dorothea Benton Frank’s Low Country series in order and I will be very sorry when I’m done. This author left this world at too young an age.

[LadyCalico · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard cover given to me as a gift by a friend since I am blessed to live in the paradise of Pawleys Island, at least until a hurricane blows me away. I might have enjoyed it more as a paperback since this kind of light, fluffy chicklit just isn't a book to keep but rather the kind you zip through on a dreary evening and then take to My Sister's Books to trade in for another quick read. Mrs. Frank doesn't seem at home in this part of the Lowcountry and doesn't capture the ambiance and character of the Blessed Isle as well as she does the Charleston area, so it is not her best novel. It was not great literature, but a quick entertaining read.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've loved Dorothea Benton Frank's books since her first one, "Sullivan's Island," came out, and I've always awaited the arrival of her next book. Her books are easy, happy reads that are enjoyable. However, by this book (what, her 5th book?) my interest is starting to wane. They all seem to follow the same formula - woman (sometimes has a child, sometimes not) is unhappy with her life in either NYC or NJ; woman goes back to the Carolina's island on which she grew up (often begrudgingly); woman "unexpectedly" finds herself happy and where she belongs; she lives happily ever after. I still have 2 books of hers that I have purchased but haven't yet read, and I will probably read them. However, if one of them doesn't break the chain of predictablility, I will probably stop there.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness this was just a joy to read. It is filled with great southern humor. You laugh, you cry, and you just plain enjoy the book. After all of the dark books I have been reading this light airly book has been wonderful. She is writing about dark subjects, but using southern strenght in humor to make you see the light at the end of the tunnel. If you was a short uplifitng book go pick this one up. IF you are from this area you will understand completely.....be perpared for a good chuckle and a box of tissues....

[Kathy Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I mostly enjoyed this book, I had two major problems with it. The only people of color are servants and they are portrayed as the people who can solve the problems of and take care of all the white people. This is a tiresome trope -- and I'm a white person. The second problem is simply that it dragged on too long; I was listening to the book and there were several times I thought it was over but it really wasn't.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! This book had decent characters. The plot was o.k. There was just a bit too much language and innuendo. It also dragged on. I would suggest starting with the first book for someone hwo is new to the series.

[Caroline Kaylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot/storyline but characters and dialogue, etc. so cringe

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful vacation in the Low Country! Abigail, a retired attorney who has come to Pawleys Island to write her memoirs and work through some deep personal issues, becomes involved in yet another divorce case, and it's a DOOZY! In finding justice for her client, she also rediscovers herself, both as a friend, an attorney and a woman.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time reading Pawleys Island. Always enjoy her stories of the low country.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dorothea Benton Frank is one of my guilty pleasures. When I should be reading something "literary" or something for work, I curl up with one of her books and take a little vacation. She does a great job of making the low country of the Carolinas sing a siren song. The smell of the sea and the mud, the sound of waves against the shore and ceiling fans in the night, the taste of shrimp 'n' grits or fried everything...all are vivid and tantalizing in Frank's books.

This story is about the healing power of friendship and the importance of our "inner makeup" as opposed to our outer shells we show the world once we're gussied up. A great read!

[Vickie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the previous books in this series, but this book was just okay. There was very little beach time and the characters...could they be any more stereotyped? Rebecca - the poor wife, with an unappreciated artistic talent; Nat - the "golden" son who isn't so golden; Charlene - the country bumpkin secretary; don't even get me started with Huey and Byron. For goodness sake, this story was written in 2005, not 1965! Sorry, but no one of DBF's best.

Go Cards! L1C4!!

[Schmacko · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit of a romantic book and unrealistic. I think this is for housewives in unhappy marriages who want to be rescued by homos and power lawyers. As a homo, I found the lack of self-reflection, the pat villian, and the dismissal of all protagonist flaws offensive.

[WK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost done with this book in audio format. It was read by the author, which sometimes is a big mistake. In Ms. Benton Frank's case, her voice has charm, but I wish she had done a better job of differentiating between characters, all of which are either, likable, quirky & fun, or outragious.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book instead of reading it myself. The author narrated the book and I think that was a mistake. She really did just "read" it out loud to us. I think I would have enjoyed the audio book more if a "pro" had narrated it.

[Jen Reardon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved Hughey..Frank's books are always a good, easy read with a happy ending..helps to clear the mind between too many intense stories..

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this story over the past several weeks while driving. Enjoyed the character development as Rebecca and Abigail first struggled then triumphed over their respective pasts and looked forward to a better tomorrow. Brought back lovely memories of the Lowcountry. Although listed as "Lowcountry Tales #5", this book is a standalone novel.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

About two women
Both grieving family loss
Find peace on island

Very good story
Frank's books have heart and humor
Bittersweet ending

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read by this author - wasn't sure what to expect; such a treat! I found myself smiling, laughing, crying....it was very enjoyable. Her characters were real, and very relatable. The story just kept flowing. Even the Epilogue - which are typically for me 'already figured out' was a surprise and really did tie it all together. Going to load up my wish list at my library for more from Dorothea.

[Brenda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I debated between 4 and 5. I went with 5 because the author keeps the pace, keeps you interested, and creates wonderful Characters. The story line was about divorce and a jerk of a husband. That’s why I wavered in my rating. Just not something I would Choose for entertainment. There are lessons about life and forgiving and not trashing a parent who really has done despicable things. This is a story of friendship and loyalty too.

[Genevieve Guerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as it pains me it’s between a 2-3. I rounded up because it’s pawleys. I was hoping to get a little more description of the island. I did not like some of the stereotypes either of the help and Huey.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could I not enjoy Pawleys Island? I live here. The book has a delightful cast of characters. "The island was a place where you figured things out, made sense of your life and learned to live with yourself, forgive yourself, all the while humbled by its astonishing power and beauty. You just needed some time on Pawleys to find the truth of your own heart and to be grateful again for life." Absolutely true. The book is about friendship and hope. It always kept you looking forward.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was my least favorite of the low country series. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and the story seemed contrived. I’m sure it’s difficult to please everyone.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of her best yet

I have been reading the books in order, and I have fallen more in love with the characters, and I can’t wait to see who pops up in the next book. Thank you Ms. Benton, your stories are well written, funny, without being too sappy. Needless to say, I am on to the next.

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I find myself muddling through Dorothea Benton Frank's books simply because of the setting. I have visited Charleston, South Carolina many times, and love reading about spots I've seen and restaurants where I've eaten. But that is really the only appeal to me with these books. I really enjoy stories where I can get emotionally attached to the characters, and that just doesn't happen with this author's characters. In the case of this book, one of the main characters is dealing with the aftermath of both her husband and son's death. She's not closed-off, shut down, or even catatonic. She's just....reprehensible, but is going about her merry life. I also didn't really care for the way the other main character talked to her children. Yes, she was trying to be frank and open with them, but on several occasions, she referred to her ex-husband's new girlfriend as "Daddy's Whore." What dignified, southern woman is going to use that term with a 13-year-old?

Another criticism I have is the change of narrator. It's unexpected and most times, isn't explained very well, unless the reader checks out the titles of the chapters, which I didn't always do. It was especially difficult to get over this hump at the beginning of the novel.

I think it's safe to say this is my last Dorothea Benton Frank experience. There are just too many other great books out there for me to spend time with then to keep forcing myself to read these.

[Kathy Webber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sure as heck isn't great literature but rather a bit of diverting beach read. As a part-time resident of Pawleys Island, S.C. I was excited by the title and immediately dived in. Frank has a lot of local color and amazing characters in the book. The whole art gallery thing was a bit difficult to take-they tend to be rather snooty down here. Sometimes it goes overboard with the "grits wouldn't melt in her mouth" and southern nuttiness stuff. There are darn few real locals in Pawleys, I have never met so many folks from upstate New York. Anyway, if your suspension of disbelief is pretty low this is an ok read. I wouldn't have finished this book if it wasn't for the local color.