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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
From the book jacket: Welcome to the Rosehaven Convalescence Center in beautiful Listre, North Carolina. Here’s Mrs. Lil Olive out on the front porch, talking and rocking right along with the regulars. … But all talk and no action isn’t Lil’s strong suit. She’s restless. She wants some adventure. And before long, tranquil Rosehaven is turned upside down. Lil and the girls steal a car and hit the highway.
My reactions
Not nearly so fun … and funny … as the jacket blurb. Yes, there are some humorous escapades, but much more is devoted to Lil’s nephew Carl, a quiet, unassuming bachelor who can’t seem to find his way to a happy and fulfilled life, and to “preacher” L Ray Flowers, who has a checkered past and an uncertain future ministry.
The parts devoted to Flowers and his preaching were just strange. The sections devoted to Carl were poignant and a little sad, though I came to care for him and all those nice people out there who make no waves and just go about life one day at a time.
I will say that the episode (short though it was) involving the stolen car was really quite a hoot.
My reactions
Not nearly so fun … and funny … as the jacket blurb. Yes, there are some humorous escapades, but much more is devoted to Lil’s nephew Carl, a quiet, unassuming bachelor who can’t seem to find his way to a happy and fulfilled life, and to “preacher” L Ray Flowers, who has a checkered past and an uncertain future ministry.
The parts devoted to Flowers and his preaching were just strange. The sections devoted to Carl were poignant and a little sad, though I came to care for him and all those nice people out there who make no waves and just go about life one day at a time.
I will say that the episode (short though it was) involving the stolen car was really quite a hoot.
pattydsf's review against another edition
2.0
This was not Edgerton's best. I think his older characters in Walking Across Egypt were much more fun and more sympathic.
tobyyy's review against another edition
1.0
Described as “deliciously funny,” this novel fell far short of the mark for me. Humor is a delicate & fairly unique thing, and this was just not my cup of tea. The nursing home peccadilloes and hijinx may be funny to some, but to me it was just heartbreaking. All I could think about was how elderly folk are treated so poorly, there’s none of the respect that they are due, and getting old and having your body fail you is just horribly sad & very humiliating — at least in Western culture. And that breaks my heart.
elysahenegar's review against another edition
3.0
This book is funny (sometimes painfully so); I laughed out loud many times reading it. It's sweet and tender and also a little sad. Meet Carl and his Aunt Lil, who lives at a nursing home called Rosehaven; meet their friends, who are vibrant and strong in heart, if not in body. It'll be too short a time, but then, life is short, especially in its last thundering days. I enjoyed this, but definitely finished it wishing I might have known the characters longer and had the opportunity to dive more deeply into the dangling threads Edgerton leaves throughout the story. Some plot points just feel underdeveloped, but the characters are all a joy to know.
jcbmathcat's review
3.0
My mom is living in the memory unit of a retirement community, and she has stroke-related dementia. I liked this book because I felt that the conversations and events have occurred at retirement centers everywhere. The story is bittersweet, and while I laughed at many incidents, I also teared up several times. Whether or not you enjoy this book will depend on your age and your interactions with your own family, especially older members.
The story is set in North Carolina, and that is where I was born and raised. While the setting wasn't important enough to count as a character, I could relate to references made about the various religious groups in the South.
Lyrics to Carl's and L.Ray's country gospel songs are in the back. My favorite title is "How Come I Miss You When You're with Me All the Time?"
The story is set in North Carolina, and that is where I was born and raised. While the setting wasn't important enough to count as a character, I could relate to references made about the various religious groups in the South.
Lyrics to Carl's and L.Ray's country gospel songs are in the back. My favorite title is "How Come I Miss You When You're with Me All the Time?"
jcbmathcat's review against another edition
3.0
My mom is living in the memory unit of a retirement community, and she has stroke-related dementia. I liked this book because I felt that the conversations and events have occurred at retirement centers everywhere. The story is bittersweet, and while I laughed at many incidents, I also teared up several times. Whether or not you enjoy this book will depend on your age and your interactions with your own family, especially older members.
The story is set in North Carolina, and that is where I was born and raised. While the setting wasn't important enough to count as a character, I could relate to references made about the various religious groups in the South.
Lyrics to Carl's and L.Ray's country gospel songs are in the back. My favorite title is "How Come I Miss You When You're with Me All the Time?"
The story is set in North Carolina, and that is where I was born and raised. While the setting wasn't important enough to count as a character, I could relate to references made about the various religious groups in the South.
Lyrics to Carl's and L.Ray's country gospel songs are in the back. My favorite title is "How Come I Miss You When You're with Me All the Time?"
cindywindy_blogs's review
3.0
Really I give it a 3 1/2
What I enjoyed about this novel were all the funny, quirky (many true)comments from Aunt Lil, Maudie, Mr. Flowers, Beatrice, and Clara. The tangents and the out of no where questions kept the topics (aging, nursing homes, and loss of independence and functions) from being too depressing. Some of my favorite moments was the initial driving scene (why are my feet outside?), stealing the car and wanting to buy a flag for Mr. Flower's movement, the escalator, William and Lee, and the crow tattos.
Altough at some points these comments/scenes crossed the humor side and sadded me b/c they showed readers instances of dementia. Like when Lil did not know who Carl was and when she insisted she was in a jail in South Carolina that looked exactly like her room at Rosehaven. Carl handled this situation so beautifully and sweetly. He never belittled her, always made time for her, and treated her with respect and kindness. At times Carl did feel burdened and felt guilty for thinking these thoughts, but the author and readers understand these are natural feelings.
What I did not like about this novel was there were too many loose ends and characters. I didn't really understand Mr. Flower's mysterious and criminal past, what was true, especially with Mr. Flowers and Darla as a young teenagers. And I didn't understand how eventually he was kicked out. I also did not understand what was the point of bringing up conversations with Carrie and Latricia. I saw some interactions with Carrie and the residents but not enough for me to care about her. Same with the physical therapist and Darla. I felt like these extra scenes distracted from the main part of the novel. I would have preferred it if the author had dropped these characters and focused more on the main group of characters in the novel.
What I found uplifting about this book is this strong desire for these women to live life. All wanted adventure. As soon as Carl let Aunt Lil drive in the initial scene, she said "Where's the exit?.....I've got to get on the highway." She didn't want to play it safe and just drive around the parking deck. That's boring and it leads nowhere. She wanted adventure. When the women and Mr. Flowers were talking on the porch about his movement, the women all wanted to know when they would be traveling. Aunt Lil pictured herself going on an adventure to the Everglades. What I found thought provoking was these women wanted this excitement and adventure but were physcially unable to go, yet characters like Carl and Annie could go on these adventures yet were too scared to try and led these unfulfilled lives.
What I enjoyed about this novel were all the funny, quirky (many true)comments from Aunt Lil, Maudie, Mr. Flowers, Beatrice, and Clara. The tangents and the out of no where questions kept the topics (aging, nursing homes, and loss of independence and functions) from being too depressing. Some of my favorite moments was the initial driving scene (why are my feet outside?), stealing the car and wanting to buy a flag for Mr. Flower's movement, the escalator, William and Lee, and the crow tattos.
Altough at some points these comments/scenes crossed the humor side and sadded me b/c they showed readers instances of dementia. Like when Lil did not know who Carl was and when she insisted she was in a jail in South Carolina that looked exactly like her room at Rosehaven. Carl handled this situation so beautifully and sweetly. He never belittled her, always made time for her, and treated her with respect and kindness. At times Carl did feel burdened and felt guilty for thinking these thoughts, but the author and readers understand these are natural feelings.
What I did not like about this novel was there were too many loose ends and characters. I didn't really understand Mr. Flower's mysterious and criminal past, what was true, especially with Mr. Flowers and Darla as a young teenagers. And I didn't understand how eventually he was kicked out. I also did not understand what was the point of bringing up conversations with Carrie and Latricia. I saw some interactions with Carrie and the residents but not enough for me to care about her. Same with the physical therapist and Darla. I felt like these extra scenes distracted from the main part of the novel. I would have preferred it if the author had dropped these characters and focused more on the main group of characters in the novel.
What I found uplifting about this book is this strong desire for these women to live life. All wanted adventure. As soon as Carl let Aunt Lil drive in the initial scene, she said "Where's the exit?.....I've got to get on the highway." She didn't want to play it safe and just drive around the parking deck. That's boring and it leads nowhere. She wanted adventure. When the women and Mr. Flowers were talking on the porch about his movement, the women all wanted to know when they would be traveling. Aunt Lil pictured herself going on an adventure to the Everglades. What I found thought provoking was these women wanted this excitement and adventure but were physcially unable to go, yet characters like Carl and Annie could go on these adventures yet were too scared to try and led these unfulfilled lives.
tome15's review
4.0
Clyde Edgerton is a national treasure. He can make you laugh and make you cry and at the same time tell you something about North Carolina culture and the people who live there. Put him on your bucket list.
lindsay564's review
2.0
Ugh. I need to remember to check ratings before I start reading a book and not read it if the average rating is less than 3.5. That rule has proved to be remarkably dependable.