Isle of Palms: A Lowcountry Tale

Rating:
Summary: Liked but not loved..
Review: I truly enjoyed Sullivan's Island...so i was hoping this book would be just as good. Not true...the first part was a bit dull but once Emily, David, Bettina and Brigitte came aboard, all was well. I finished it with a positive feeling and will continue to read DBF in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Good beach book...
Review: If you are looking for a fun and entertaining beach book (especially about the low country beaches of South Carolina), Dorothea Benton Frank's Isle of Palms is just the book. Having previously written Sullivan's Island and Plantation, Frank's third book is her best effort yet.

Summer is coming and 37-year-old Anna Lutz Abbot decides that it is time to take control of her life. Three traumatic events occurred during Anna's childhood, and she has pretty much lived her life as a victim. A divorcee' raising an 18 year old daughter, Anna decides to buy a house, make a career change and find a romantic interest. A terrible wrong in her life must also be righted. Things don't always develop as Anna expects, but sometimes the surprises are the most rewarding.

What makes Frank's books so much fun are the sassy writing, witty dialogue, and colorful characters. Frank's descriptions are hysterical. At one point, she tells us the difference between Southern gentlemen, bubbas and red necks-something that only a person raised in the South could do without offense. Her characters are especially memorable from gay ex-husband Jim, to Lucy the intellectually challenged and surgically altered bombshell neighbor to beautiful daughter Emily, who comes home from college in Gothic attire.

On the minus side, this story is a bit unbelievable in parts. Anna doesn't quite deal with issues involving both parents and her childhood. Also, the book is written entirely in the first person. Most of the chapters are seen through Anna's eyes, but several are told by the nosy neighbor, Miss Mavis. At the start of a new chapter, it was sometimes confusing to figure out who was speaking.

But negatives aside, Isle of Palms is an entertaining read. It was especially timely as I actually read it on a South Carolina beach, and am familiar with many of the sights Frank mentions. Her latest book, Shem Creek, has just been published. I think I'll save it for my new low country vacation.


Rating:
Summary: Big, bold, bright, and charming!
Review: Isle of Palms features a smart and appealing heroine and a story that doesn't quit. Author Frank manages her plot and her characters with grace, authority, and good humor. Reading Isle of Palms is like spending an evening with best friends -- very entertaining and very satisfying.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Read!
Review: ISLE OF PALMS is, very simply, a good read.

After completing this novel, one might conclude that the precipitating event seems implausible, that the ending is too tidy and too happy.

And, while in the midst of the book, some of the dialogue seems stilted, more likes speeches than like normal speech.

All of these considerations are quibbles, however.

The sense of place is strong in this book, so strong that the reader can smell the ocean off the barrier island of North Carolina which has its name used as this title. In fact, by the end of the book, one is ready to pack up and move to the ISLE OF PALMS.

In ISLE OF PALMS, Dorothea Benton Frank has authored a compelling and engaging story, a story which will engross the reader from the first page to the last.

Rating:
Summary: Some bright spots but ultimately unsatisfying
Review: Isle of Palms starts out dramatically, with some very funny writing. About midway, it degenerates into dullness with far too many details of mundane chores and far less wit. The characters seem bold at first and one beleives they will be fleshed out fully, but alas, they are not. The story also stretches credulity...in the beginning things are very tough for the main character and it has depth. Later, things just seem to sail along without a hitch with little or no description of the difficulty the protagonist would have in accomplishing her many feats (setting up her business, forgiving those who have badly wronged her, a miraculous turn-around for her "goth" daughter, etc...). There are endless accounts of dinners and wine being poured, without the necessary descriptions to make these meals and drinks palatable. Also, there are several chapters that are narrated first-person by someone other than the main character. I expected to find a reason for this, but there didn't seem to be one. Overall, it was a disappointing read.

Rating:
Summary: Funny and Entertaining
Review: Isle of Palms was my 2nd Frank book and my favorite so far. While the story is jam packed with characters, it all comes together so well. I'm certainly looking forward to the next one!

Rating:
Summary: Warm breezes and a southern heart
Review: Ms Dottie has finally found her voice, and it is a sweet comfortable breeze coming off the Atlantic. This tale of love lost, gained, and personalities galore had me captivated from the beginning.
This wonderful story had me crying with Anna, tearing my hair out over Emily, laughing at Lucy, loving Jim for the great gentleman he is, and re-newing life through Doc. Her characters will be with me for weeks, her story one to be discussed with friends. Every time I pick up a hammer, I will think of that incredible Thanksgiving Dinner.
It is so comforting to see a book written by a woman who is not one of the way-to-many "Twenty-something, English/New York career girls, my life is going to end without a man" books that are so prevalent today. I feel a contemporary has written a book for my generation and I truly enjoyed and appreciated it.
Thank you Ms Dottie, and when is the next best story?

Rating:
Summary: Well worth Reading!!!
Review: My sister-in-law recommended this book to me and at first I wasn't interested. Once you start reading you can hardly put it down. I would highly recommend it. It is a very enjoyable read. The characters stick with you and you don't want the book to end. Give it a try.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet and Sassy
Review: Please, please don't miss reading this book! It's hilarious, charming, and so so low country. I've read all of Dorothea Benton Frank's books, and this is the best one yet. It kept me laughing and intrigued from beginning to end. I loved Anna! What a survivor! Life may have dealt her a few lemons but she sure knew how to make lemonade. I also loved the flamboyant Jim, crazy Lucy and Brigette, the Bronx bomber who so quickly adapts to life on the Isle of Palms. The only problem with this book is that it ended too soon. Please keep them coming, Ms. Frank, you're the best!

Rating:
Summary: LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT!
Review: This is a great book. If you feel like spending a few days with some friends then this will surely satisfy you. When I read this book I felt like I was actually sitting having tea with the main character, Anna, and watching her life as it played out. I must admit that I took my time reading it because I didn't want it to end. I haven't read any other of Dorothea Benton Franks books but I certainly will in the future!!