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mcoovert's review
4.0
I had to let this book simmer a bit, but it was beautiful. The context of race relations in the South, in the subtle and not so subtle ways, really touched me, as I can see the stories played out on the news each night.
fluoresensitive's review
Idk if I can stand it...you can tell when a book about the south or about impoverished people is written by someone who's scared of the south/grew up comfortable, and you can tell when a Black person has been brought up about white people, it's a vibe and that vibe is radiating from these pages
aoosterwyk's review
4.0
Excellent writing! I listened to this one and the story sucked me right in. The MC is drawn into sugar cane farming by her father’s legacy that completely leaves out his older son who has a lifetime of bad choices behind him. They are both single parents, but are reaping the benefits of different mothers and childhoods. The characters are layered and the plot moves right along to the messy and inevitable conclusion.
bsmorris's review against another edition
4.0
Bittersweet and a bit of romance
Charlie is a well rounded and compelling protagonist. Ralph Angel is also well rounded if a bit less sympathetic. Their struggles feel authentic and the imagery is rich. An enjoyable read, but a bit predictable.
Charlie is a well rounded and compelling protagonist. Ralph Angel is also well rounded if a bit less sympathetic. Their struggles feel authentic and the imagery is rich. An enjoyable read, but a bit predictable.
mellabella's review
4.0
Thankfully my streak of mediocre books has ended. At least for now.
I wanted to read this book before watching the series.
Charley is a widow. She and her 11 year old daughter Micah move from California to Louisiana. Her father has left her acres of sugarcane land.
When she gets there, things look bleak. She has no one to help her and she doesn't know the first things about sugarcane. Getting the land in working order is going to take a lot of money she doesn't have.
I liked Charley. But there were things I didn't understand. Why did she let Micah get away with everything she did? Throwing away her wedding ring? In the swamp? Was it guilt? Why did she let Miss Honey do the things she did? Don't get me started on Ralph Angel. She just seemed like a sponge. Absorbing everyone's anger.
Ralph Angel. Not an easily likable character. At all.
Even as I read everything he had been through, he took no accountability for his actions.
I also guess taking everything out on everyone else is easiest.
I liked the poetic way it was written, the reminders of race relations in the South. Even now.
I hope the actors playing Charley, Micah, Miss Honey, Hollywood, Violet, Remy, Ralph Angel, and Blue do these characters justice.
I wanted to read this book before watching the series.
Charley is a widow. She and her 11 year old daughter Micah move from California to Louisiana. Her father has left her acres of sugarcane land.
When she gets there, things look bleak. She has no one to help her and she doesn't know the first things about sugarcane. Getting the land in working order is going to take a lot of money she doesn't have.
I liked Charley. But there were things I didn't understand. Why did she let Micah get away with everything she did? Throwing away her wedding ring? In the swamp? Was it guilt? Why did she let Miss Honey do the things she did? Don't get me started on Ralph Angel. She just seemed like a sponge. Absorbing everyone's anger.
Ralph Angel. Not an easily likable character. At all.
Even as I read everything he had been through, he took no accountability for his actions.
I also guess taking everything out on everyone else is easiest.
I liked the poetic way it was written, the reminders of race relations in the South. Even now.
I hope the actors playing Charley, Micah, Miss Honey, Hollywood, Violet, Remy, Ralph Angel, and Blue do these characters justice.
wegetlit's review against another edition
5.0
The book is always better...
Once again, I find myself amazed and awestruck by the poetic beauty that books convey...a beauty that is rarely duplicated I never the film counterparts. I was pleased to meet each character despite their stark differences from those of the television show. Both the title and the main character make so much more sense in the context of the book.
Once again, I find myself amazed and awestruck by the poetic beauty that books convey...a beauty that is rarely duplicated I never the film counterparts. I was pleased to meet each character despite their stark differences from those of the television show. Both the title and the main character make so much more sense in the context of the book.
deehawkins74's review against another edition
4.0
This was a decent book. I give it a 3.5. It was really long. The story of Charlie and her family was interesting. The fact that Charlie's father gave her so much land and she knew nothing about farming says great things about the faith her father had in her and the love he had for her. Ms. Honey was a sweet old lady, makes me wish my grandma was still alive. OMG, that Hollywood was a sweetheart. Ralph Angel's story was unfortunate and sad. I never would have imagined the ending. Where there is a will, there is a way.
honeycoveredpages's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book was slow and after reading the reviews I was a little hesitant to continue. But I decided to continue and I'm glad I did. I read this book with little knowledge and I wonder if the negative reviews are from people who watched the TV show first and had different expectations. I listen to the audiobook read by Miriam Hyman.
Charley Bordelon moved to Louisiana from California with her preteen daughter Micah. Charley inherited a sugar cane farm from her deceased father. Charley hopes the move will bring her and her daughter closer together and eventually it does.
Her half brother Ralph Angel is troubled, crybaby, entitled ex-con. He had a somewhat rough childhood and some resentment towards Charley for being raised in the house with their dad. Grandma Honey is a typical southern grandmother. But she enables Ralph Angel which is annoying. Maintaining a relationship with toxic people just because they're family is so unhealthy. Ralph Angel is really one of the most annoying characters I've ever read. I think Ralph Angel and Ms Honey annoyed me so much because I know people like them.
The ending was sad and even though I didn't like the character I wasn't expecting that. The writing was done well which is what kept me reading.
Charley Bordelon moved to Louisiana from California with her preteen daughter Micah. Charley inherited a sugar cane farm from her deceased father. Charley hopes the move will bring her and her daughter closer together and eventually it does.
Her half brother Ralph Angel is troubled, crybaby, entitled ex-con. He had a somewhat rough childhood and some resentment towards Charley for being raised in the house with their dad. Grandma Honey is a typical southern grandmother. But she enables Ralph Angel which is annoying. Maintaining a relationship with toxic people just because they're family is so unhealthy. Ralph Angel is really one of the most annoying characters I've ever read. I think Ralph Angel and Ms Honey annoyed me so much because I know people like them.
The ending was sad and even though I didn't like the character I wasn't expecting that. The writing was done well which is what kept me reading.
melg0378's review against another edition
3.0
Great story, some parts I figured out but otherwise felt right at home while reading.