Squealing About A Book

I read a review about a book at Lesa Holstine's blog (Lesa's Book Critiques) that struck a chord. The book was SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT. And then she did an interview with the author, Beth Hoffman, and I was even more sure this was a book I had to read. Lesa said she thought this would be one of the most talked about books of this year, and I have to agree. She also said (quoted from Beth Hoffman's website) that SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT is “Exemplifying Southern storytelling at its best…”


Being a fan of "all things Southern," I just kinda thought this might be my cup of tea.


Sometimes books or authors are recommended by saying, "if you love so and so, you'll love this one." I'm not very good at that. But. I think I might be able to do that with this one. IF you loved Sue Monk Kidd's SECRET LIFE OF BEES, then I do indeed think you'll love Beth Hoffman's SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT.

I sat down with this lovely book this past Sunday and that was the end of my day. Dust bunnies flourished, grew, multiplied and did it all again, and I just didn't care. I found myself quickly and totally bewitched by CeeCee Honeycutt as she struggles to make a life for herself as she also tries, at age 12, to watch over and take care of her mother Camille. Camille thinks it's 1951 and that she's still the Vidalia Onion Queen of Georgia, when actually it's 1967 and they're living in Willoughby, Ohio with a mostly absent Mr. Honeycutt.

After tragedy strikes in Willoughby, CeeCee is whisked away by great aunt Tootie to a place called Savannah. And there she meets a bunch of southern women who do what southern women do - embrace life, laugh irreverently at just about anything, nurture and teach. If you're also a fan of "all things Southern" - and even if you're not - you'll fall in love with these women right along with CeeCee. You'll laugh at the wackiness, and cry at the sadness. You'll be totally smitten with each of these women, expected eccentricities and all, and when you finish the book you'll wish for more.

To quote my friend Nan, "this is a book I'll be packing to take with me to the old folks' home."

Do you have favorite books you'll read again and again, and know that you'll want them close beside you when you've moved into the old folks' home? This is one of mine.

And maybe I'll plan on doing a post with a list of some more of those well loved books I'll be planning on taking with me. Help me here, and tell me what some of yours are 'cause I'm betting some of them might be mine too, and I've probably forgotten a lot of them.





For full FTC disclosure.
I bought this book.
No payment of any kind has been made for the above stated opinion.