Off Season

In her newest novel, Anne Rivers Siddons has triumphed. Off Season is a beautiful rendering of one family, the connections between its members, and the flawed relationships created by secrets and betrayal. When Lilly Constable McCall loses her husband Cam, to an untimely death, she escapes to the family's summer home on the coast of Maine. It is here that all of her memories, both beautiful and painful, descend... It all washes over her, just as the coastal tides sweep the shores---memories of beautiful family vacations, childhood friendships, first love. And pain. Horrible, searing pain that can only be appeased by allowing the memories, good and bad, to sweep over her so that she can finally come to grips with the secrets and betrayals of one long ago summer...the last one she spent with her birth family at the coastal house. When she experienced her first love and her first loss. She remembers everything now. How, after the first pain and loss, followed so quickly by another, her heart decides that it is too much, so she retreats into a hermit-like existence. Protecting herself from further pain. She turns to a new obsession and becomes an underwater swimmer, escaping each day, wearing her wetsuit and helmet...Until she meets Cameron McCall. They fall in love, marry, have children...And she thinks she knows everything there is to know about him. They are two peas in a pod...right? But when he dies and when she escapes again to her summer home, she learns more about him. And about herself. An enchanting story of love, loss, and renewal, this tale is a beautiful addition to Ms. Siddons' collection of family sagas.

I have been reading Ms. Siddons book since her first one came out, many, many years ago. I have loved some, and just liked others, but I think she is a wonderful writer. Her descriptions say so much, in few words, I can see and feel what she is writing about. I loved these characters, flaws and all, and I enjoyed the little touch of mysticism she added through the book. I noticed in other reveiws, that this was not a favorite of some readers, but I felt like it added to the magic of the location that most of the story took place. And the magic of the strong relationships. I just thought this was a beautifully written book, and it is now up there with my favorites of her books.

I became a fan of Ms. Siddons many, many years ago when I first read "Peachtree Road." After that I read every book she had published up to then (some time in the 80s) and proceeded to obtain all First Editions of her earlier books and bought every single one of her latest books the moment they were published. "Off Season" is one of her best. Like a reviewer before me, it reminded me of "Colony" (one of my favorite books) and another favorite of mine - "Outer Banks." The end of the book was a surprise and it made me go back and re-read back chapters to see if I could find clues. Will re-read as I have every one of her 18 (or is it 19)novels. As one reviewer put it, "One doesn't read her novels, you inhabit them." My only complaint is that I have to wait so long for her next novels but then again, they wouldn't be special if they were cranked out yearly.

I have read many of Anne Rivers Siddons books. "Peachtree Road" was my favorite. "Off Season" reminds me of the author's style of writing in "Peachtree Road." All of the readers senses come to life with every word on every page. The work is a dazzling display of character development that in turn makes you feel like you are there at every moment and that somehow, you too have shared Lilly's life. "Off Season" is a wonderful, warm, tender and fabulous read. Hal Kansas City, MO