( 7 reviews )
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jun 16 2009
I have to say, being from the south and having a 12-year old daughter, I can so relate to this book. My mother recommended it when she heard me complain about my daughter growing older and more difficult. I laughed at the similarities of Peyton to my Elizabeth. I also love the idea of someone entering a childs life and offering a new perspective and unconditional love. Peyton could not get it from the other adults in her life and she needed it so desparatly. I think sometimes parents are to close to the situation and must stand back and allow others to fulfill a certain need for them and offer love. I wanted more, but maybe the rest of the story is for me to finish...Ready to read another by Ms. Siddons!
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Posted: Oct 31 2007
I didn't expect to like this book, as I'm getting tired of To-Kill-a-Mocking-Bird-rip-off-coming-of-age stories set in the South (see The Little Friend). But this is an enjoyable light read. No, it's not Austen, Bronte, Maugham, etc. but do you expect that from Siddons? If you don't mind historical inaccuracies, this is funny and moving and surprisingly engrossing.
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Posted: Aug 24 2007
My first A.R.S. book has made me want to read all of them. The author's portrayal of the young Peyton is vivid. The story is told in Peyton's point of view and my favorite part of all is her colorful description of cousin Nora and the way she walks. The author's character developments are outstanding enough to make all of them appear as important as the next one. Aunt Augusta and the housekeeper jump off the page as vigorous. The only character who seems weak here is Peyton's remote father, still sullen over his wife's death, to whom Peyton still feels she is responsible for. When cousin Nora zooms into town in her pink T-bird, lives change and many issues rise in this southern town in 1961. I would like to see more of these characters in another novel. There is only one thing that I didn't care for and that is the title. However, that is only my opinion. Also, who really is the main character in this novel, Peyton or Nora? I would like to see this novel in a television movie.
