LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER
Author: Dorothea Benton Frank ISBN: 9780061961267 4/2011 FICTION Publisher: AVON
When Caroline Wimbley Levine returned to Tall Pines Plantation, she never expected to make peace with long-buried truths about herself and her family. The Queen of Tall Pines, her late mother, was a force of nature, but now she is gone, leaving Caroline and the rest of the family uncertain of who will take her place.
In the lush South Carolina countryside, old hurts, betrayals, and dark secrets will surface, and a new generation will rise along the banks of the mighty Edisto River.
Wonderfully evocative, infused with humor and poignancy, and rich with the lyrical cadences of the South, Lowcountry Summer is vintage Dorothea Benton Frank, a deeply moving novel you'll want to savor and share. |
 RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS: 
LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER is a smoothly written, self-reflection story that introduces a varied cast of characters, all of whom circle Caroline Wimbley, the introspective narrator of this tale.
Caroline's birthday brings a wealth of questions along with the usual well wishes. Some issues are a struggle, others amuse, but the crux of her birthday dilemma is the age-old question: Is she getting all she can out of her life? Moreover, could there possibly be more meaning to her existence than what she's eked out of it? While Caroline muses, she shares the stories of her life, all in a fluid way that makes the reader feel a connection to this self-searching woman. Her thoughts are candid, and it is no stretch to slip right into Caroline's mind and memories.
Dorothea Benton Frank is an expert storyteller. I've enjoyed her books in the past, and this one did not disappoint. Despite the introspective nature of the tale, reading this required no effort at all. Caroline's story unfolds at a pleasant, even pace as we learn about her, her family and friends, and the world that shapes her. I loved this book and have given it a spot on my keeper shelf!
Kay James |
