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Summary: Welcome escape from a ...rainy summer...
Review: As it pours outside my Manhattan apartment window--for what it seems like the 90th consecutive day--my favorite escape has been in the pages of ISLE OF PALMS. Anna's voice, the quirky characters, and the warm, salty breeze from the beach by Anna's house have enveloped me in their southerness and I am content to just cuddle up on my leather sofa with a really good book. I almost don't mind the pitter patter of rain on my metal windowpane, it provides a certain rhythmic backdrop, drowning out all other city noises, so that I can be more easily transported to the Isle of Palms and all she has to offer. Ms. Frank certainly has a way with words and relaying emotions on paper and, while the story is multi-leveled--as are the characters--reading this book is a breeze. A perfect beach read.
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Summary: Unlikely Heroine Will Have Readers Cheering
Review: Having become a devoted fan of Dorothea Benton Frank's witty Southern style, I was eager to dip into her latest offering. Although I felt it didn't quite measure up to her two previous novels, this one does have as lovable a cast of eccentric characters as you could hope to meet. Anna Lutz Abbott has lifelong soulmates in Jim and Frannie. As our spunky heroine says, they are "unlikely souls struggling together, separately." Anna is a low country loving gal who gets knocked in the head with reality when her mama dies a scandalous death in bed with the wrong man. From that moment until she lets out all her pent-up frustration by taking a hammer to an unsuspecting Mercedes, you will be cheering for her to survive. And survive she does, thanks to a spirit that refuses to be beaten down. Pour yourself a glass of sweet tea and listen to her tell her story. From that momentous day she sees her mama's body carried out of the house, through a prom night gone awry thanks to a date rape drug, and a hideous upbringing with a wicked grandmother, Anna will pull at your heartstrings. But it is the cast of supporting characters that make this book come alive. Jim, the gay friend who gives her child his name, her slightly slutty neighbor Lucy, the two loveable ole biddies next door, her beautiful daughter Emily who has morphed into a Goth home from college, and others make this one to laugh and cry over. A most welcome surprise is that loyal DBF readers get a second chance to visit favorite characters from previous novels. Susan from "Sullivan's Island" and Caroline from "Plantation" make cameo appearances. Anna learns to love her life and realizes that she may never be Gandhi, but her life has significance and beauty and is a reflection of those she loves and cherishes. Beautiful wisdom and heartwarming humor make this a fabulous beach read or anywhere read.
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Summary: Unfortuately, disappointing
Review: Having read Plantation, I was looking forward to this book, but I have to say I agree with the reader from Charlottesville. This story is largely unbelievable, mostly because the author didn't develop her characters enough. What was the point of Grandmother Violet even being in the book? She was supposed to be a real b----, but I only got the sense of a cardboard figure. And Lucy, who is portrayed as a real ditz, conveniently enough has sold a bundle of stock right before the market dropped (!). Huh?! And just loans a boodle to Anna, the narrator, so she can open up a salon. That just strained credulity for me. It's a rapid read, and I read the whole thing, but there is just too much deus ex machina. I liked the narrator, Anna Abbott; I just wish the characters were more developed and the plot less fantastic.
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Summary: A Low Country Pleasure
Review: Hello-she's baaaaaaaack- that low country lovin, livin, writin, Dorothea Benton Frank. As with her previous 2 releases, ISLE OF PALMS, is also set in the author's beloved birthplace region and is a tribute to everything from it's salty marshes to it's eccentric inhabitants. IOP is the author's best book yet.Frank provides equal parts drama, southern heritage and razor sharp one liners(reminiscent of Jersey girl, Evanovich). The character of Anna Lutz Abbot is richly layered and supported by an ensemble cast that is flawed,but,loving and loyal.Anna's narrative is truly southern as well as sassy! After reading all 3 of Frank's books, I have added a much needed, soul feeding, low country visit to my 'things to do before I die list.' The 2 days spent reading this book was a long over due treat and well worth the wait since PLANTATION. My only regret is I didn't have my feet and backside firmly planted in the sandy beaches of South Carolina while reading it!
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Summary: Terrific Summer Read!
Review: Honey, plop on down raht chea on your beach blanket, even if you set it up on your livingroom floor, because here is your quintessential beach book. Highly reminiscent of "Fried Green Tomatoes" but with a voice all its own, "Isle of Palms" has everything from enjoyable characters to wonderful plot twists to a happy ending.
What I liked most about the book was the easy, Southern way of the characters, from our heroine, hairderesser Anna Lutz Abbot of the highly dysfunctional family and even more dysfunctional marriage, to her much-loved ex-husband Jim, to her best friend Francie, to her college-age daughter Emily, to all the friends and family and acquaintances in between.
Anna is in her late 30s when she decides once and for all to return to the dreamland of her childhood, the Isle of Palms. Frightened by her own boldness, she buys a small beach cottage--her first place that is truly her own--and then, throwing caution to the winds, buys and sets up her own hairdressing business. Along the way, she confronts many ghosts (and everyone on the Isle of Palms knows that ghosts are real)-- from her mother, dead at a tragically early age, to her own frightened child self.
I ate this book up, I loved it so much. I can't wait to read the others by this entertaining, funny, and altogether delicious author!
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Summary: Simply a charming southern tale!
Review: I can't say enough about this book-I LOVED IT! I didn't want the book to end. Anna, the main character is very brave and has had a very challenging life. All the characters are wonderful in this charming tale! I love the descriptions of the area, the people (loved those nosy neighbors), and the food. Dorothea Benton Frank really knows how to write a great story. This book kept me captivated the whole time! Enjoy!!
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Summary: Witty and Unique writing...With a few flaws
Review: I choose this book to read because I was attending a DBF book signing (Shem's Creek) at the end of the week. Meeting Dottie Frank was an honor. She is a spunky, interesting lady. I was certainly impressed when I went up to her and mentioned a phrase in this book and she repeated it word for word. ("my tongue had probably earned about 20 million Frequent Flyer Miles to rush my immortal impudent soul to a special torture chamber in purgatory")
This book started out sad...mother dying, mean grandmother, rape...but after Anna moves out on her own, her life definately takes a turn for the better. I liked this book. However, the only confusing part was, some of the chapters were told through the eyes of the old next door neighbor. I don't think the idea was complete. I don't understand the significance of it.
There was a reviewer who mentioned something about too much written about food. What was she reading? Must have been on a diet. I don't agree.
Another reviewer said something about the grandmother not being pertinent to the story. Couldn't be more wrong. Definately was pertinent.
This is truly an enjoyable read with just a few flaws. It's worth the read.
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Summary: I want to live on The Isle of Palms!
Review: I had a little trouble getting into this book initially. It wasn't my "type" and I thought the Southern jargon and sharp-tongued wit would wear thin after a few chapters. Was I ever wrong! I ended up laughing out loud and even starting to throw a few "y'all"s into my daily conversations. This story had just the right mix of emotion and humor - I thoroughly enjoyed this lowcountry tale!
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Summary: Too much to be believed
Review: I hate to rain on the parade of stars for this book, but I honestly thought it was totally unbelievable. I had read Sullivan's Island which was funny and convincing most of the time, so I was looking forward to reading this book next. I have to say that except for in a few chapters, the story is just too ridiculous. It has too many underdeveloped characters and plot ideas. Anna, the narrator, takes ONE walk on the beach and meets the perfect man. She buys a new house and starts her own business and has parties and on and on without the least problem. It is such a fantasy, it's hard to feel convinced. The author has talent, but she needs to slow down and think through her plot a little better. I'm getting tired of so many sterotypes in southern fiction. This had potential- it was just overdone.
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Summary: Love love love this book!
Review: I love this, and all of Miss Dorothea's books. It's heartwarming and makes me want to go back to the South.
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