Author: Anne Rivers Siddons
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads Summary:
Every August, four women would gather together to spend a week at the beach, renting a new house each year. The ritual began when they were in their twenties and their husbands were in medical school, and became a mainstay of every summer thereafter. Their only criteria was oceanfront and isolation, their only desire to strengthen their far-flung friendships. They called themselves the Girls of August. But when one of the Girls dies tragically, the group slowly drifts apart and their vacations together are brought to a halt. Years later, a new marriage reunites them and they decide to come together once again on a remote barrier island off the South Carolina coast. There, far from civilization, the women make startling discoveries that will change them in ways they never expected.
My thoughts:
Growing up, I was addicted to Siddons. Lucy in Peachtree Road is one of my favorite characters ever, I love the book Outer Banks, and King's Oak - could anyone ever beat Tom Dabney for a romantic hero? I dreamed on these books, of low country tides and a southern way of life. Sadly, the past two books I have read by Siddons have not lived up to her former magic.
This one had potential, but seemed to end prematurely. Only 200 some pages long, it seemed more like a short story, one where we didn't get all the answers. Characters would start to be developed, and that abruptly, would go no further. They were good characters too! I cared about them, and wanted to know more, follow them on their journeys. Sadly, the journey of the girls of August came too quickly to an end, and the reader is left wondering where the rest of the book went. Ladies, we barely knew you, but I did enjoy what was there to read of you.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read it! I really had hoped for more from this book. :(
DeleteOh, too bad ... didn't realize this was so short. I read so many of Siddons books way back when. Outer Banks was a favorite.
ReplyDeleteYes! That magic time of Siddons. This one almost recaptured that, but fell so short...literally.
DeleteHave your read The House Next Door? It's been on my shelf forever, and I have yet to read it. I mean to every year! I'm not familiar with Siddon's other books, though. It sounds like she's a pretty diverse writer.
ReplyDeleteI have, and it was actually kind of scary!! I liked it though. :) She writes best when she is writing about crazy families in the south, but lately, they have been falling a little flat. :(
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