Get ready to meet two of the most endearing fictional characters of all time in this '60's coming-of-age story set smack dab in the middle of the South.
Life in Lytton, Georgia, was calmer before Nora Findlay came to town. Twelve-year-old Peyton McKenzie, who lived with her widowed father, met after school with the members of the Losers's Club, mulling over the dumbest things they ever did. Evenings, she watched old home movies to capture a treasured glimpse of her mother, waving, laughing,dancing. Then her socond cousin Nora moved in--and Peyton's world changed forever. Red-haired, green-eyed Nora smoked, swore and showed everyone how to have a good time in her hot pink Thunderbird convertible. Even Peyton's somber father started humming while she was around. But beneath Nora's outlandish high-spirited facade was a devastating secret. When it hits the light of day, this small town--and Peyton--will be jolted to their very core.
When twelve-year-old Peyton's mother and older brother die, she and her father are trapped in their grief. Then along comes Peyton's mother's cousin, Nora for a visit that changes Peyton's life forever. I liked this story and give it an A+!
I alomst did not read this book b/c I thought it would be boring, but it was addicting and good!
Love, love, love Anne Rivers Siddons. This is a bit different than most and covers a young girl/teen's relationship with her (seemingly ) carefree aunt.
New York best seller by Anne Rivers Siddon.
the story of how a child accepts her fathers new love...
I know this is an older book but it is by far my favorite Anne Rivers Siddons book. Very good character development and grabs you right from the beginning. If I would have had the time I probably would have read it straight through. I highly recommend this book - good read!! Carol P
A great southern fiction book by Anne Rivers Siddons. Nora comes to town very flambouyant and some secrets.
I don't even know where to begin with this book. The writing was excellent, the story was so good, the themes in the story were so important (and so well handled), and it was very enjoyable.
I loved Nora. She just didn't care, but at the same time she cared so much. I know that sounds weird but I don't know how else to describe her. She stood up for herself, and prided herself on simply enjoying life however it's handed to you. Peyton on the other hand was such the opposite. And while Nora had a huge impact on Peyton's life and the changes in Peyton were drastic Peyton will always be Peyton.
The story touches on so many different issues. First it takes place in the south in the 60s, so there's the racial issues. Then Peyton is in a place in her life where she needs the guidance of a woman, but Nora is so unconventional it is question whether her ideals should have influence on Peyton. I can't really give any more because it would take away from the web of the story.
The narrator did an excellent job. While I tend to think it would have been really hard to have a bad narration for such an amazing book Cristine McMurdo-Wallis did a really good job. She had such a dramatic voice and since Nora was such a dramatic person it fit perfectly together. Cristine's voice was just perfect for this one. She was very pleasant to listen to. She also did a great job of staying in character so you always knew who was talking.
