Peachtree Road

Rating:
Summary: Expertly written and a believable 'old Atlanta family' story
Review: This was my first and still favorite Anne Rivers Siddons' books. She expertly writes of an old Atlanta family that is displayed through the tiniest of microscopes. Each character is developed in depth and interact in a powerful way throughout this family tree saga of life in Atlanta on Peachtree Road. Surprises throughout and one of those books you just can't put down.

Rating:
Summary: It still comes into my thoughts at certain times
Review: This was the first of her books which I read, and through all the years, I still go back and read portions of it every year or so. Amid all the melodrama is a well written story with interesting characters, all damaged in their own ways, but with compelling stories to tell. And given what happened the day I write this, that an Air France Concorde had crashed while leaving Paris, unable to get altitude, I think I am going to read it again.

Rating:
Summary: Not my favorite
Review: Too long, slightly boring but not bad at all. The characters, once again were very wonderfully described, making you believe you know them. Worth reading in any case.

Rating:
Summary: More about a particular community than the South...
Review: Yes, it's a long book, but I did not find it to be so much "Southern," as regional. I was born, was raised and still live in the Louisiana/Mississippi area, so I know all about the South, but really, not a whole lot about Atlanta or Georgia even. Maybe it's a Georgia thing? I don't want to like this book. I really don't. But it's a testament of how good it is since it won't get out of my head. Lucy was maddening with her dependence and so was Gibby with his enabling. I mean, really, enough already. But don't we all have relatives or friends we keep rescuing? Or maybe some of us are a lot like Lucy but don't want to admit it? The detail in this book is magnificent, but I became quite confused on the ages. One minute they are this age, the next minute another age and then back again. I swear at least once I saw where they were different ages when the author described a particular event than they were the last time, but I am not sure. This book is wonderful with descriptive phrases and the joy and heartbreak of life. Am I glad I read it? Yes and no. Yes, because it was enriching to read such depth to such characters. No, because in some ways, it was so real and so true and so sad. I loved Colony and chose this book because of that experience. She's a great writer. But sometimes she just gets too *close* and it makes you draw back. So I guess you know now you have to buy this book, right? Ok, then, but be warned. You'll never react the same to the phrase "stick it in your ear" again. And that's a promise!