Rating: 
Summary: What A Wondeful Book
Review: This is an elegant story, masterfully told as only Anne Carroll George could tell it. A Southern family is brought together by the death of one of their own--but this is not a story of death; it is a story of life, and of how one life can touch so many others. I highly recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Southern drama with a drab ending
Review: This Southern Drama surrounds a Catholic family whose beloved sister has decreed she be cremated rather than enterred. The events of the plot occur over a 3 or 4 day period of time. There are the traditional and stereotypical skeletons in the Sulivan Family closet-- divorce, alcoholism, the mentally ill mother, and accidental deaths. These do add some content, but in general, I would say that this book lacks any action. This plot style indicates that George is trying to get us to examine the characters in order to make a statement about Southern life. George fails in this aspiration.If I was forced to use this book to draw conclusions about Southern culture, I would say Southerner's were shallow, mundane, and uninspiring. George's characters are focused on social expectations and are all self-involved. They really are not a compelling lot. Instead of using flashbacks to the past, George uses the ghosts of the family members to add depth to the story and the characters. This technique generally fails to add any since of history or real depth to the story. The characters and the story remain uncompelling and unsympathetic. I would classify this book as a "Beach Read." It is interesting enough to keep you occupied and thinking is not required to understand the plot. I was glad that I borrowed it from the library.
Rating: 
Summary: This One and Magic Life...
Review: This was my first experience reading Ms. George's work, and what a wonderful one it was! This a great southern fiction book!!! You feel like your right there with all them in Harlow Al. arguing about whether or not to have a funeral with an empty casket! I really did enjoy this book, and recommend it to anyone who may be interested in reading it. You won't be disapointed :)
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