Shem Creek

Shem Creek was another excellent and beachy book by Dorothea Benton Frank. I loved the restaurant setting, it reminded me of another book I loved, The Blue Bistro. There's just something about a story set in a beachy seafood restaurant that brings you right into summer. The book follows the norm of most of Frank's books, a southerner misplaced up north for many years and after a failed marriage making their way back to the south. This time, Linda and her two teenage daughters go to live with her sister, Mimi, back in South Carolina. After finding a job at a local restaurant, she begins to find herself again in Shem Creek and bonds with her daughter and sister, and not to mention the restaurant owner.

I thought that the story was very well written. It held my attention and when I had to stop reading, I was anxious to get back to it. Quite enjoyable!

I started to read this book in 2006 and found, as a Yankee, the flow was difficult to follow. I read Sullivan's Island one week ago while on vacation and fell in love with Ms. Frank's flow, ease and voice. Finishing Sullivan's Island was difficult b/c I of the time I enjoyed being in Charleston and Sullivan's Island with Susan, Maggie and their family/history. However, I immediately picked up Shem Creek and instantly fell into the, now familiar, rhythm and flow of Ms. Frank's voice. She has a wonderful and easy way of lulling one into her family to the point you do not want to leave. I am now halfway through Shem Creek and find it very hard to put down. Thankfully I am still on vacation and will not have to abandon Shem Creek for another day or two. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the inclusion of characters from Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms who have visited Shem Creek.

While Shem Creek is located on the east coast, it could be anywhere by the writing style and characters. Any small town could have a Linda and a Brad. They are heartwarming characters that bite into American History and leave you wanting more. While their lives are filled with the same daily crisis as all others, they survive. A story woven with tried and true details is told tongue in cheek, edging on humor, and bordering on benign, this story is told with an honest love of people and life. I found the details of their lives to be interestingly naive, and yet on a deeper level, there was simply more. Everyone had a past, and baggage was carried well by each character in the story. Much like real life - each person was complete with a past, a present, and a future. You sat on the edge of your seat reading to the next detail, hoping it followed along. Surprises in the book were many, people didn't stay true to form, but created their own meandering path through life, as we each do in real life. I enjoyed the tender moments, the laughter, and the sadness that I found in the book - all very much related to life in a small town.

Dottie cannot write a bad book. I loved Shem Creek. It's all about finding your roots and coming home. It's also about overcoming adversity with a southern flair! Linda's personality is a great combination of New Yorker and Low Country girl. I love reading about her teenage daughters and how she copes with them. Anyone who has daughters will relate and nod their heads - YES! It is fun to watch the "family" that develops in the restaurant. As with all of Dottie's books I feel happy when I finish reading. They are "feel good" books. My favorite thing about the way Dottie writes is that she shows so much understanding of pain and suffering that people experience, but her characters always have that positive attitude and joy of life with a special kind of wit thrown in. Another thing I love in reading Dottie's books is how at the end of the story, she shows glimpses of characters from previous books. It's like seeing old friends and learning more of their story. Read them all - they are truly addictive.