Charleston

Rating:
Summary: Another Ripley Winner!
Review: Boy, was this book ever hard to track down! Seems that most people who read it want to keep it for their own collection - and I just became one of them! Besides the fact that Ripley is one of my favorite authors, Charleston is one of my favorite cities, and historical fiction is my favorite genre of literature, this book caught my attention from the first page and kept it all the way until the last.
This heartwarming, often heartbreaking novel reveals the triumphs and tragedies that were 19th century southern America. From sending young men off to fight their brothers,to facing the adversity of Reconstruction, to the struggle between between races and classes, Ripley absolutely captures the latter part of a tumultuous century.
Leading us on this journey is the novel's heroine, Elizabeth Tradd, raised in wealth and finery until the Civil War leaves her family bordering on poverty. "Lizzie", despite the set-backs, however, manages to use her tenacious spirit and her magnetic charm to establish a life for herself while all the while striving to mend the lives of her family and friends.
Lizzie is truly an inspirational character that I grew to love, laugh, and cry for. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys strong characters, fine writing, and an adoration for all things beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: Charleston
Review: Charleston is yet another one of Alexandra Ripley's historical fiction novels. The book begins during the middle of the Civil War and continues on towards 1898. The story surrounds on the Charlestonians, all whom are related to each other somehow or the other. The Tradds, the family that it is focused on, is made up of Mary Tradd, a brainless beauty as the mother; Pinckney Tradd, the new head of the family since the father died during the war, he's worried about how he can bring money in for the family; Stuart Tradd, a young boy not even in his teens during the war, but decides that he's going to defeat the Yankees no matter what; and Lizzie Tradd, the youngest, who isn't quite like any other girl after the war.
This book describes the lives of the Tradd family, and the struggles of their attempts to earn enough the support the family. The animosity towards the Yankees and other "New People" are expressed with the Charlestonian's way of "politing them to death."
Although the book doesn't carry you to the main character, Lizzie Tradd, until you are well into the book, it is still interesting to read about Pinckney, Aunt Julia, and other extraordinary characters.
I greatly admired Charleston's old traditions, like the Saint Cecelia Ball, and the old custom of ringing Saint Michael's Bells every hour. After reading this book, you won't be left with any doubt that Charleston is a very quaint, original, and alluring city.

Rating:
Summary: Expecting a mushy romance but ageeably surprised!!!!
Review: FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT READ IT
I picked this book up by pure chance in a second-hand bookshop. Having read Ripley's SCARLETT I was familiar with the author's writing-style, which I liked. Even so the backcover suggested a rather mushy , stupid romance....The front cover was even worse :huge, sprawling letters with a half-undressed brunette beneath...But I chose to not judge the book by its cover and bought it.
I was incredibly surprised .THIs book is wonderful: well written,historically accurate with interesting,human (and undoubtably flawed)characters.
I was expecting Lizzie to be the stereoptyped romantic heroine:beautiful,feisty,intelligent,seductive,etc.... "en bref " boring and annoying! She was nothing like that .THe book follows her life from the age of 3 to 40. At the beginning she is a silent, traumatised child and at the end a mature woman.
She is neither very talented nor very beautiful. She is simply human.
The greatest strength in this book lies in its colourful,multi-dimensionnal characters,its other great asset is its historical accuracy. Charleston,its history,people ,and traditions are vividly painted,so much so that you feel like visiting the city or going back in time....

To all those who have not read the book :if you can get your hands on it ,buy it ,read it:you won't be disappointed!!!

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ THE BOOK

As I said up above I find that CHArleston's greatest strength lies in its characters.
Lizzie is interesting,wonderfully human,Lucas ghastly and unnerving,Harry so real you can almost feel his vitality flowing out of the pages...
What is so special about this book is the way it envolves you. I was horrified when Lucas won the tournament, I could actually feel Lizzie's terror and rage when she killed him...
WHen Pinny died I was close to tears it was so unfair... Faced with Lizzie's dilemma I had no idea what I would have done...

The only criticism I have to make is about the ending! How could the author stop at such a place? I hope the sequel gives some answers!!!!!!