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book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Digital Audiobook performed by Grover Gardner
Thirteen-year-old Will Tweedy narrates Burns’ historical novel which takes place in the small Georgia town of Cold Sassy Tree circa 1906. It starts when his grandfather, E Rucker Blakeslee elopes with Miss Love Simpson. It’s a scandal, given that Blakeslee’s wife was buried just three weeks prior, that Miss Simpson is only half Blakeslee’s age, and even worse, Love is a Yankee!
Oh ,what a treat this novel is! The characters are richly drawn, and cover the gamut of personalities. I was completely engaged in the story from beginning to end, laughing aloud several times as I watched the residents engage in gossip and speculation. Change is a constant theme … from the personal relationships to the introduction of automobiles, the citizens of Cold Sassy Tree manage to adjust, sometimes with grace and other times with more than a little consternation.
Will is a wonderful observer with the curiosity of a young boy, especially when it comes to relationships between male and female adults. I loved the pranks he played and the tall tales he wove. And was touched by the tenderness of his first love.
Grover Gardner does a marvelous job performing the audio. He has a lot of characters to interpret and does a great job of Will Tweedy and Grandpa Blakeslee. He even does an acceptable rendition of the female voices.
Thirteen-year-old Will Tweedy narrates Burns’ historical novel which takes place in the small Georgia town of Cold Sassy Tree circa 1906. It starts when his grandfather, E Rucker Blakeslee elopes with Miss Love Simpson. It’s a scandal, given that Blakeslee’s wife was buried just three weeks prior, that Miss Simpson is only half Blakeslee’s age, and even worse, Love is a Yankee!
Oh ,what a treat this novel is! The characters are richly drawn, and cover the gamut of personalities. I was completely engaged in the story from beginning to end, laughing aloud several times as I watched the residents engage in gossip and speculation. Change is a constant theme … from the personal relationships to the introduction of automobiles, the citizens of Cold Sassy Tree manage to adjust, sometimes with grace and other times with more than a little consternation.
Will is a wonderful observer with the curiosity of a young boy, especially when it comes to relationships between male and female adults. I loved the pranks he played and the tall tales he wove. And was touched by the tenderness of his first love.
Grover Gardner does a marvelous job performing the audio. He has a lot of characters to interpret and does a great job of Will Tweedy and Grandpa Blakeslee. He even does an acceptable rendition of the female voices.
mbelle97's review against another edition
I read this book in high school and hated it, but since that was 12 or so years ago I decided to give it another shot. And I still didn't like it. Plus I was reading some reviews on this app and came across massive unmarked spoilers about major plot events. So I have no motivation to continue
kennadiane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
casspro's review against another edition
4.0
This one threw me for a little loop. I was fully anticipating a quaint little novel about a sleepy Southern town, something that would be humorous and light-hearted. And while it has its moments, this is not fully light-hearted novel. Olive Ann Burns does a great job of creating the tension that occurs when you live in a small town and everyone knows, and expects to know, your business. There are a lot of heavy issues hiding inside the pages: suicide, rape, incest, death, adultery, classism, racism, sexism...the list goes on. There are multiple characters that I hated at the beginning and loved at the end, and there are those that you love at the beginning and hate by the last few pages. There are some charming moments and heartbreaking ones. I don't typically go for the classic Southern novels, but this one has some great perks that make it worth while.
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
I am soooo glad I FINALLY read this! Thank you Rachel for picking it for book group. It is a great early 20th century southern story. It has all the elements of life you usually read in these type books: family, tragedy, comedy, death. I highly recommend this as a must read sometime in your life.
surcie's review against another edition
5.0
“Ask and it shall be given you,'" I began. "'Seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.' We have the same message in the Book of Saint John," I said, sounding for all the world like a preacher...."
Well, but how could I just stop there? Those words were worse than nothing if I didn't tell what they meant to Grandpa. Looking at the long rough box, I spoke timid, in a mumbled voice. Not preachified at all. "Grandpa didn't think Jesus meant, by that, that we should ast God for things, or for special favors. He said we could trust that in the nature of things, without astin', we'll get lots of blessin's and happy surprises and maybe a miracle or two. When Jesus said ast and you'll get it, He meant things of the spirit, not the flesh. Right now for instance, I could ast, 'Lord please raise Grandpa from the dead,' but it wouldn't happen. But I can say, 'Please, God, comfort me,' and I'll get heart's ease. Grandpa said Jesus meant us to ast for hope, forgiveness, and all that. Ast, 'Hep us not be scared, hep us not be greedy, give us courage to try." I was really carried away. "Ast any such and God will give it to you. But don't ast Him not to let fire burn, or say spare me from death. At least, uh, that's what Grandpa said.”
Well, but how could I just stop there? Those words were worse than nothing if I didn't tell what they meant to Grandpa. Looking at the long rough box, I spoke timid, in a mumbled voice. Not preachified at all. "Grandpa didn't think Jesus meant, by that, that we should ast God for things, or for special favors. He said we could trust that in the nature of things, without astin', we'll get lots of blessin's and happy surprises and maybe a miracle or two. When Jesus said ast and you'll get it, He meant things of the spirit, not the flesh. Right now for instance, I could ast, 'Lord please raise Grandpa from the dead,' but it wouldn't happen. But I can say, 'Please, God, comfort me,' and I'll get heart's ease. Grandpa said Jesus meant us to ast for hope, forgiveness, and all that. Ast, 'Hep us not be scared, hep us not be greedy, give us courage to try." I was really carried away. "Ast any such and God will give it to you. But don't ast Him not to let fire burn, or say spare me from death. At least, uh, that's what Grandpa said.”
categj's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable tale about an American community. Funny and bittersweet. The dynamics of the quirky characters were quite realistic for a small, tightknit group of people. The author captured the tone and lilt of the folks' southern accents and their human emotions and reactions. A pleasant read.
aimeebrand's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. The name threw me off but it was a fun story about life in rural Georgia in 1905, told by a 14 year old boy.
iveybronwynn's review against another edition
4.0
Super wholesome and engaging. Really enjoyed the dialogue and underlying Christian life lessons and theme of the book
katiebtatton's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Cold Sassy Tree! This one was sweet and funny. The story is set in 1906, in a small southern town called Cold Sassy, Georgia and is told by 14 year old Will Tweedy. Within three weeks of Will's beloved grandmother's death, his grandfather marries a woman 30 years his junior. The story follows the scandal in the town and in the family. It's a beautiful telling of acceptance and judgement, pride, honor, propriety and sacrifice, and loving people for who they are. Will's voice is so clear that it stuck with me for days after I closed the book.