Eadie B. (eadieburke) - , reviewed on 8/1/2021 + 1639 more book reviews

1949. Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country and leaves her home in Alabama. The people in Bernadette, Louisiana, come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher. She's soon teaching just about everyone and coming up against opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives. Ellie meets a Cajun fisherman named Raphe who introduces her to the legendary white alligator. A huge bounty is offered for a white gator bringing about a shocking turn of events. In 2019 my husband and I took the train from Philadelphia to New Orleans and this book brought back the memories of that trip. Ellie goes to New Orleans and stays at the Monteleone Hotel where we stayed. She goes to Bourbon Street and the French Quarter and I could picture everything she saw. Valerie captures southern bayou living and the atmosphere of Spanish moss on the cypress trees makes you feel like you are right there. This is a story you will remember forever as it reaches down and touches your soul. I'm looking forward to reading other books by Valerie soon. Thanks to Revell Publishers and LibraryThing for a free copy for an honest review.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details