Colony

This was the seconed Siddons book I have read. The first was "Upcounty" which I found to be splendid. In "Colony" we are introduced to "Maude", who, marries into a very wealthy and prominent family. In the book we follow her from being a new bride thru every stage in her married life. Maude is a women that feels all the emotions that we have felt as wifes, mothers, daughters and daughters-in-law. This will tug at your heartstrings, make you laugh as well as cry (I found myself crying quite a few times actually). On my top ten list, this is definatly number 1. Enjoy!!

This is one of my all time favorites. A southern woman marries awealthy man and spends her summers at Retreat in Maine. Her mother-in-law makes no secret of the fact that she finds Maude totally unacceptable as a wife for her son. At Retreat, Maude learns the older women rule and they do everything they can to make Retreat perfect for the men. The book spans70 years as we watch Maude try to fit in and tolerate hermother in law. Peter, Maude's husband, is a weak man,but Maude loves him and carries on the tradition of makingthe summers perfect for him. The scenery is as much acharacter as Maude and the rest of the blue bloods thatpopulate it. Anne Rivers Siddons is a master at creatinga setting and making us love the people she has created.I read this book slowly and savored it because I lovedMaude and didn't want to say good-bye. After I finished it,I didn't immediately begin another book, as is my usualcustom. I spent several days thinking about it andaccepting the fact that I wouldn't be visiting with Maudeany more. I miss her.

That is the way a friend described this book to me and I have to admit it is certainly a diamond among the stones. This is an author who takes you to the place that lies deep between the pages or soul of her book. The main character is reflective and strong with undiminished courage. Maude is one of the most memorable characters I have ever come across. The book begins as she arrives at Retreat, also know as The Colony, her in-law's summer home in Maine. A staunch and uppity "Blue Blood", the matriarch Mother Hannah, is not quick to take to a southern belle of the French persuasion. Maude with her husband Peter by her side, is going to show these Bostonians her strength for decades to come. The book covers nearly 70 years of her life along with the family and friends that grow close to her heart as well as yours. There are times where the author's language is shear poetry. I place this book on my best books of all times list. It's not one to be missed. Kelsana 10/29/01

I read this book oh so many years ago and it's still my favorite Siddons book to read again and again. The setting in The Colony reminds me of the little village in Michigan by one of her numerous lakes ~~ where I had spent my summer vacation. The love, passion and friendships, complicated relationships span over the years and the ending is just as enthralling as the opening paragraph. You just don't want to put this book down. Out of all the Siddons books, this is the best written one.