Driftwood Summer

This was the first book that I have read from Ms. Henry. Loved it - can't wait to read others written by her.

A Brit might say this book is a good romp. My route to Ms. Callahan Henry, Inc., was via Penelope Lively and Michelle Richmond, serendipitous for sure. I'm never quite sure, when I read a book like this, how much irony is implanted. Obviously, the angst in each of the sisters is pretty much of their own making. And in the end there is less redemption and more a Noah-like biblical do-over. But I still ended it, liking all three of them. So why did these apparently willfully self destructive characters appeal to me? Hey, the epigraph is Kierkegaard: there must be a there, there, even if well hidden. Here's the way I see it: alcohol abetted accessibility to and availability of youthful females (and males, too, but not as much) causes ineffable traditions to be ignored to the enduring detriment of the rogues . Therefore, the three of them spend a significant time in purgatory, after which, they are given a second chance. Thus, I conclude, that although never obvious, and, with deceptive prose to the contrary, this book ends with a Christian truth---admit your guilt; ask forgiveness; really mean it; moreover, change your course with hope, if not knowledge, that the new course is an improvement. On the other hand, there's mother, Kitsy, the empress w/out clothes. She, for all the ceremonial mothering, seems more into form than function. Indubitably, a few well timed conversations with her brood, "in the day", would have avoided almost all the family problems. She's real enough (I've known the composite), but I just don't like her, mostly because she's the "noble liar", Plato's can of worms. The plot suffers a nuanced flaw. I'm reading about the feasibility of a business plan, involving a village bookstore,--- from an ebook on my Kindle, having discovered the storyteller by electronic means not possible a decade ago, while making quick reference checks using the Wiki application on my ipod Touch thinking: "I doubt it, ladies.",---although the complimentary wine gave me alcohol abetted pause to reconsider. Yet, the struggle was grand, and, thus, the romp was still on. Finally, I really liked the beyond the Epilogue part of the book, set up nicely for discussion groups, including an intriguing interview with the authoress. In sum, we've got the shadows of Kierkegaard and Dostoevsky, three likeable characters, a pacific Atlantic village, a curious cottage, a wonderful list of mentioned books, and Anne, the t-shirt philosopher. Buy the book: enjoy the romp.

Driftwood Summer A fabulous summer read (or ANYTIME) that has great character development and storyline. Everyone that I have suggested to read this book has loved it. I wish there were more pages and the story kept going. I feel like I knew them by the end of the book.

Patti Callahan Henry is my very favorite author as her books hold your interest from the very first page. Her characters are real, always interesting and family oriented. I have read all of her books and loved everyone of them.

Patti Callahan Henry has truly created a beautifully-written, engaging novel that is rich with emotion. Set in a Georgia beach community, it tells the story of the three estranged Sheffield sisters who reunite to save their family's beloved bookstore. As they host a week of bookstore events, all three are forced to confront the conflicts that tore them apart. In the end, their family loyalty and love for each other draws them together again. Magnificently told in alternating narratives, each sister's unique and relatable story is told. As a sister myself, I really, truly loved this heartwarming tale of the loving and imperfect bond between sisters. I highly recommend this wonderful, touching book!!