A Lone Palm Stands

I loved this book! I like it when I can relate to the characters and I could relate to Angela on many levels. The main character pulls you in and has you rooting for her from the beginning. I look forward to hearing more of her story in future books to come!

I was drawn to this novel because I lived in Charleston when Hurricane Hugo came through. As a survivor of the storm, I wanted to see if the author gave an accurate account of what it was like to find yourself in a category four hurricane. The answer: not only did he accurately describe that terrifying evening, but he made me feel like I was reliving it all over again, down to finest of details like the popping sound that shingles make as they are ripped from your roof by the wind. But enough about the hurricane. The heart of this story is the way the storm affected Angela's life. What I really liked was the way Olsen took his time to draw us into Angela's world before Hugo struck. Although I wouldn't exactly call her pre-Hugo existence as being `ordinary', it was far different from the chaotic mess she found herself in afterwards. And this reflects perfectly the way many of us were affected by Hugo--one day we were leading normal lives, the next day we found ourselves homeless, wondering how in the world we were going put the pieces of our lives back together. There are so many things that are touched upon in this novel--the difficulties of growing from adolescence to adulthood, the true meaning of friendship, learning to forgive, and finding your inner strength in the face of adversity--that it makes it impossible to comment on them all. But I will say that I found all of these themes presented in an entertaining way. Never did the book have a `heavy' feel to it, even during the most tragic parts. And it was refreshing to read a novel that actually uses symbolism to convey subtle messages--something that almost seems like a lost art form in modern fiction. If you're looking for a quick, fluffy read, then this isn't the book for you. But if you're wanting to immerse yourself in a story that will stay with you long after the last chapter, then by all means give this book a try.

Just as I was getting to know teenager Angela Jenkins and finding a comfortable groove, Hurricane Hugo comes along and devastates her family. Her old concerns are set aside as she faces new challenges. Some are typical although most are not. Angela and her friend, Suzanne, stumble their way into adulthood amid a few missteps that lead to unexpected plot twists. Some surprises are brewing, like a hurricane building up speed in the Atlantic Ocean. Others are like tornadoes - unpredictable and capable of lashing out without notice. All lend to a fast-paced read with characters we're not likely to soon forget. As a writer of three novels, I admire H.A. Olsen's ability to draw me into Angela's life from page one. Folly Beach is now a favorite place of mine, but I've yet to visit.