Whistle: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful and touching story of life in the rural South.
Review: Daugherty has captured the heart and soul of mixed-raced families at a time when it was not acceptable, and she "resolves" the family by bringing the half-brothers together at the end. I thought it was a touching and well-tolded story of the Southern experience.

However, I felt the book really started with Louise's story. The first section of the book was wishy-washy, because of the character POV -- who was that way.

If you love Faulkner, you'll love WHISTLE.

Rating:
Summary: Poignant tour-de-force, a delicate blend of poetry and prose
Review: It has been months--maybe years--since I found such unfettered satisfaction in reading a work of fiction. Daugharty's captivating depictions of south Georgia's people may not be as fully appreciated by those who have not lived and grown up there, but I, for one, know first-hand what a masterful job she has done. The dialogue of Roper, Louise, Bloop and Beanie, the descriptions of the quarters, the mannerisms, fears, and emotions of the blacks--all are brilliant and totally realistic portrayals of the way things were and are, and the character of Louise is one of the strongest, most vibrant women I've ever met in a novel. If Oprah and her staff would get on the ball and ferret out Whistle for one of her monthly selections, she would be performing an invaluable service for the reading public by bringing Janice Daugharty, a major talent in southern literature, to the limelight.

Rating:
Summary: A boring, predictable ripoff of "Southern writing"
Review: One of the best southern authors of our time! Janice Daugharty's WHISTLE will keep you in suspense until the end. Two families struggle with a tragedy that brings them together in a way they have never known before. Intertwined in this struggle are family secrets, paranoia and the desire to do the right thing. This is a poignant story of life in the South, well depicted by Ms. Daugharty and experienced by those of us who have lived here. Put this book at the top of your reading list. Also, if you ever get a chance to meet Ms. Daugharty at a book signing, GO! She is bright, charming, witty, a fine storyteller and has a deep appreciation for her fans.

Rating:
Summary: A poignant story of life in the South
Review: One of the best southern authors of our time! Janice Daugharty's WHISTLE will keep you in suspense until the end. Two families struggle with a tragedy that brings them together in a way they have never known before. Intertwined in this struggle are family secrets, paranoia and the desire to do the right thing. This is a poignant story of life in the South, well depicted by Ms. Daugharty and experienced by those of us who have lived here. Put this book at the top of your reading list. Also, if you ever get a chance to meet Ms. Daugharty at a book signing, GO! She is bright, charming, witty, a fine storyteller and has a deep appreciation for her fans.

Rating:
Summary: AUTHOR'S COMMENT
Review: WHISTLE was such fun to write, I gave it five stars. Also, I wanted to boost its (it's?) status. Janice Daugharty