This is supposed to be a book portraying a strong southern woman, but the protagonist is neitrher strong nor believable. She also has no life of her own and just does what is expected of her and what she feels like. She is a nice person who experiences much abuse from her first husband who turns evil as the book progresses. I am glad she found someone to care for her, but their meeting after years apart is another incredible experience presented. Learning about the social structure of Atlanta was moderately interesting. The timing of many events presented was inaccurate, but that hardly mattered. ( )

I have loved her books in the past, but, except for the creepy Irish folklore element, which I didn't like, I felt like I'd read this book before. It was definitely a disappointment. The first section, though, about the protagonist's parents, I enjoyed. ( )

Enjoyed it very much until towards the end -- unexpected twist that includes a touch of fantasy that didn't seem to fit. ( )

I very much like the writing style of his author. It is descriptive and beautiful.

This is a story of southern gentility and snobbishness. The story is told by the main character, Thayer, whose life is changed when her beloved father and grandfather are killed in a car accident. Thayer's mother is cold and very nasty. Thayer is the second daughter. Her grandmother comes to live with the family, and Thayer is able to have a different perspective from the one implanted by her mother. It is her grandmother that brings love and joy.

The first daughter, more beautiful like her mother, whereas Thayer is criticized, Lilly is loved. When Thayer attends summer camp, she falls in love with a young man whose camp is across the lake. She becomes pregnant and it is the loving grandmother who shows extreme love. The baby is lost, leaving Thayer lost and confused.

The story is filled with beautiful detail, until the end when it gets a bit weird, but still it is a lovely book worth the time spent reading. ( )

It started off slow and confusing with the backstory. It got much better when it focused on the main characther, Thayer. Then the ending got really weird--especially for Anne Rivers Siddons! ( )