Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Five Miles South of Peculiar: A Novel
by
Angela Elwell Hunt (Goodreads Author)
If these three sisters don’t change direction, they’ll end up where they’re going. Darlene Caldwell has spent a lifetime tending Sycamores, an estate located five miles south of a small town called Peculiar. She raised a family in the spacious home that was her grandfather’s legacy, and she enjoys being a pillar of the community. Sycamores is the kingdom where she reigns a...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
June 5th 2012
by Howard Books
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
844)
Hunt wrote a great Christian fiction novel with a small town feel that is unique to the South. Five Miles South of Peculiar tells the story of the three Caldwell sisters who all end up living at Sycamores estate that they grew up at. Darlene is afraid of living in her Broadway star sister, Carlene’s shadow. Carlene has lost her singing voice after an operation fails and Magnolia had her heartbroken and cannot move on. Reading about the family dynamics and learning about each sister’s past was so...more
With about 4 million copies of her books sold worldwide, you can only expect the best from best-selling author Angela Hunt. And her latest offering, “Five Miles South of Peculiar” published by Howard Books is a poignant yet joyful novel of a Southern family finding its way home.
The book revolves around the Caldwells, who lived in an estate named The Sycamores, which is located five miles south of a small town peculiarly named Peculiar. The book follows the footsteps of the three Caldwell sisters...more
The book revolves around the Caldwells, who lived in an estate named The Sycamores, which is located five miles south of a small town peculiarly named Peculiar. The book follows the footsteps of the three Caldwell sisters...more
Five Miles South of Peculiar
by Angela Hunt
The Caldwell sisters are a different as can be but they are bound by one thing, the family's estate Sycamores located just south of Peculiar, Florida a town nobody has ever heard of.
Darlene has spent her whole life at Sycamores. She raised her family and buried her husband there. Charlene left Peculiar as a teenager to embrace a singing career on Broadway. Nolie, the youngest, has always called Sycamores home and is known for her aprons.
But each sister h...more
by Angela Hunt
The Caldwell sisters are a different as can be but they are bound by one thing, the family's estate Sycamores located just south of Peculiar, Florida a town nobody has ever heard of.
Darlene has spent her whole life at Sycamores. She raised her family and buried her husband there. Charlene left Peculiar as a teenager to embrace a singing career on Broadway. Nolie, the youngest, has always called Sycamores home and is known for her aprons.
But each sister h...more
.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Five Miles Sough of Peculiar is the Caldwell Estate. Darlene, almost fifty, a widow with her two children living far away rules the roost at the family estate. Living there with her is Magnolia, forty something and never been married, and loves her dogs and gardens. And then there is Carlene, almost fifty divorced, no children, and not to singing career, who left home after high school to pursue this singing career and never looked back. Then we meet Eric Payne, a divorc...more
If you’ve ever read any of Angela Hunt’s books you already know she is a master storyteller when it comes to human relationships. She has an uncanny way of capturing the true emotions involved in complex associations of the heart.
She has done it once again in Five Miles South of Peculiar. In this new body of work she takes us inside the world of sisters. Being a sister is complicated. One moment you adore your sibling and the next you would like to pull her hair out. In different ways this plays...more
She has done it once again in Five Miles South of Peculiar. In this new body of work she takes us inside the world of sisters. Being a sister is complicated. One moment you adore your sibling and the next you would like to pull her hair out. In different ways this plays...more
Full post here: http://overweight-bookshelf.blogspot....
Five Miles South of Peculiar is a soulful book that examines the complex nature and importance of a relationship between sisters. Each of the Caldwell sisters has chosen a different path in life and has become estranged from the other two to varying degrees. Darlene, Carlene and Magnolia have uniquely defined roles and personas in this sibling trifecta. When they are at their best, they work together like a perfectly balanced medley; but wh...more
Five Miles South of Peculiar is a soulful book that examines the complex nature and importance of a relationship between sisters. Each of the Caldwell sisters has chosen a different path in life and has become estranged from the other two to varying degrees. Darlene, Carlene and Magnolia have uniquely defined roles and personas in this sibling trifecta. When they are at their best, they work together like a perfectly balanced medley; but wh...more
Five Miles South of Peculiar by Angela Hunt is a poignant yet joyful novel of a Southern family finding its way home. The Caldwells of Peculiar, Florida have always lived in their estate The Sycamores, but in 2018, exactly fifty years after the death of the family founder, all of the property will pass into the hands of the city. Despite this looming deadline, Darlene and Nolie Caldwell continue living life at The Sycamores as it's been lived for the past fifty years, without thought of social n...more
The sisters unite and everything changes! This was an interesting book and I really enjoyed the story. The book itself is long but the development of the characters keeps you reading.
Carlene, Magnolia and Darlene are the three main characters the book follows. The interaction of these sisters makes for a great story. Each sister has their own issues they are currently dealing with. How they handle their unique situations and how they interact with each other makes the story charming. The minor c...more
Carlene, Magnolia and Darlene are the three main characters the book follows. The interaction of these sisters makes for a great story. Each sister has their own issues they are currently dealing with. How they handle their unique situations and how they interact with each other makes the story charming. The minor c...more
Five Miles South of Peculiar is the story of the three Caldwell sisters and how they mature in their relationships with each other and with God. Darlene is the happy homemaker type, a pillar in their small Southern town of Peculiar, and she rules the inherited family estate with an iron hand. Her twin Carlene, a Broadway singer, decides to visit the family home after experiencing a personal tragedy and stirs up lots of past issues - especially jealousy from Darlene. There's also Nolie, who lives...more
Do you ever read a book in which you find yourself hating just about every character? I do. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I really loathe those people. For instance, in The Replacement Wife, I HATED Camille. HATED. HER. I hated every character in that Fifty Shades nonsense (GOOD GRIEF, not that again), other than my main man Christian Grey. In Bared to You, I hated them all except - le sigh - Gideon Cross.
And in Five Miles South of Peculiar, I hated every character except Nolie and Erik.
Nol...more
And in Five Miles South of Peculiar, I hated every character except Nolie and Erik.
Nol...more
Magnolia Caldwell lives in the family estate of Sycamores, located five miles south of a small town called Peculiar, in Jackson County, Florida. Nolie lives with her sister, Darlene, and two large dogs, and is pretty satisfied with her life but there are changes on the way. The Sycamores estate will soon revert to town ownership, and the homeless and divorced Reverend Eric Payne is offered a room in exchange for maintenance services. More surprising, Darlene’s twin sister, Carlene, is about to r...more
Angela Hunt, Five Miles South of Peculiar, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 978-1-4391-8204-8: Angela Hunt is the bestselling author of more than one hundred books, including The Nativity Story, Don't Bet Against Me and The Note. And she has another winner with Five Miles South of Peculiar.
Very seldom does a novel really grab a hold of this reviewer's heart like the story of the three Caldwell sisters in Five Miles South of Peculiar. It is a southern part of Florida and it is a story about family, loyal...more
Very seldom does a novel really grab a hold of this reviewer's heart like the story of the three Caldwell sisters in Five Miles South of Peculiar. It is a southern part of Florida and it is a story about family, loyal...more
I have not read a lot of Angela Hunt’s books, but I have read enough to know that I can always count on her to write a book that I will really enjoy. It’s hard to go back and read an author’s previous books when you review as many books as I do, so I like to keep an eye out for her new books to review.
Five Miles South of Peculiar was a fantastic book, probably my favorite Angela Hunt book so far. It had so many things that I love in a book. First of all, it takes place in a small southern town....more
Five Miles South of Peculiar was a fantastic book, probably my favorite Angela Hunt book so far. It had so many things that I love in a book. First of all, it takes place in a small southern town....more
Angela Hunt has long impressed me as an author who can take seemingly ordinary characters and soon have them feeling like friends and people I genuinely care about. In Five Miles South of Peculiar, she again succeeds at bringing to life the three Caldwell sisters Darlene, Carlene and Magnolia, with their misunderstandings, humorous interactions, and desires to make a difference in the world and be loved for who they are. Although I didn't love this book as much as her Fairlawn Series (that one r...more
I loved it. What more is there to say? There is no relationship quite like that between sisters. Love, support, jealousy, insecurity, and how many more emotions, come up when sisters come together. Darlene and Nolie have never left the small town in which they were raised. Carlene has been in New York, singing on Broadway, since she finished high school. She's been back to visit, but those visits have been few and brief, and no one knows why. Darlene and Carlene are twins, and used to be close....more
GOOD GRIEF!!!! The twins in this book needed a good knock upside the head! I swear they were both whining about something! Carlene about how Darlene took Griff from her, and Darlene about how Carlene got all the attention. I don't know how many times I wanted to throw the book across the room for their behavior! It was on my kindle so that wasn't happening.
Nolie, their younger sister was the only one with any sense at all!
Angela Hunt has written a great book about forgiveness, moving on, finding...more
Nolie, their younger sister was the only one with any sense at all!
Angela Hunt has written a great book about forgiveness, moving on, finding...more
In Peculiar, Florida on an estate known as Sycamores, three sisters reconnect. Non-identical twin sisters Darlene and Carlene have a lot of baggage between them, especially because Darlene married Carlene's boyfriend 30 years ago. Carlene has spent most of her adult life singing in Broadways shows but has come home after botched surgery leaving her unable to sing. Darlene has raised a family and become a civic busyboday. Nolie, their younger sister grows flowers, raises dogs and sews aprons. Sin...more
Angela Hunt in her new book, “Five Miles South of Peculiar” published by Howard Books takes us to the Sycamores Estates and the lives of the Caldwell sisters.
From the back cover: If these three sisters don’t change direction, they’ll end up where they’re going.
Darlene Caldwell has spent a lifetime tending Sycamores, an estate located five miles south of a small town called Peculiar. She raised a family in the spacious home that was her grandfather’s legacy, and she enjoys being a pillar of the c...more
From the back cover: If these three sisters don’t change direction, they’ll end up where they’re going.
Darlene Caldwell has spent a lifetime tending Sycamores, an estate located five miles south of a small town called Peculiar. She raised a family in the spacious home that was her grandfather’s legacy, and she enjoys being a pillar of the c...more
This is a condensed version of my review. The extended version can be found here.
Disclaimers: I received a copy of this book for review from Howard Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) in exchange for my honest opinion. Big thanks to Howard Books and Libby for this great opportunity.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: The title and the cover of this novel drew me in from the moment I saw them. I love stories that are centered around families (especially sisters). I started this novel with re...more
Disclaimers: I received a copy of this book for review from Howard Books (a division of Simon & Schuster) in exchange for my honest opinion. Big thanks to Howard Books and Libby for this great opportunity.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: The title and the cover of this novel drew me in from the moment I saw them. I love stories that are centered around families (especially sisters). I started this novel with re...more
Title: FIVE MILES SOUTH OF PECULIAR
Author: Angela Hunt
Publisher: Simon and Schuster (Howard Books)
June 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4391-8204-8
Genre: Women’s fiction
Darlene Caldwell has spent her life on Sycamores, an estate located five miles south of Peculiar, Florida. She raised her family in her grandfather’s estate, and she’s a pillar of the community, and she reigns as queen—at least until her twin sister comes to town.
Carlene Caldwell is a Broadway star. She knows her acting skills are subpar, but he...more
Author: Angela Hunt
Publisher: Simon and Schuster (Howard Books)
June 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4391-8204-8
Genre: Women’s fiction
Darlene Caldwell has spent her life on Sycamores, an estate located five miles south of Peculiar, Florida. She raised her family in her grandfather’s estate, and she’s a pillar of the community, and she reigns as queen—at least until her twin sister comes to town.
Carlene Caldwell is a Broadway star. She knows her acting skills are subpar, but he...more
This was read and reviewed via and for Netgalley (thanks, I think!).
My experience of this book was much like the way it describes small-town living: sweet and warm, but with some serious drawbacks. I liked the well-rounded and nicely fleshed out characters: each was unique and believable, and avoided falling into the pigeonhole traps they were tap-dancing around. They were given interesting things to do. Was there a bit too much "misunderstanding because nobody bothers to talk about it"? Yes. W...more
My experience of this book was much like the way it describes small-town living: sweet and warm, but with some serious drawbacks. I liked the well-rounded and nicely fleshed out characters: each was unique and believable, and avoided falling into the pigeonhole traps they were tap-dancing around. They were given interesting things to do. Was there a bit too much "misunderstanding because nobody bothers to talk about it"? Yes. W...more
My Thoughts
Five Miles South of Peculiar there is an estate called The Sycamores and this is where the Caldwell sisters grew up. It's also an apt description of many of the characters found throughout the book, including the sisters that grew up there.
Ms. Hunt has delved deeply into the relationship between sisters and how rivalry and resentment can and does carry over into their adult relationships. She tells each of their stories through three different viewpoints, Darlene's, Carlene's and No...more
Five Miles South of Peculiar there is an estate called The Sycamores and this is where the Caldwell sisters grew up. It's also an apt description of many of the characters found throughout the book, including the sisters that grew up there.
Ms. Hunt has delved deeply into the relationship between sisters and how rivalry and resentment can and does carry over into their adult relationships. She tells each of their stories through three different viewpoints, Darlene's, Carlene's and No...more
Gravels crunch under your tires as you pull up the driveway to Sycamores, the stately home of the Caldwell sisters. Nolie’s simplistic approach to life belies her profound musings about it. Unresolved hurts braid with time and miles to tangle the twins, Darlene and Carlene, who seem to share nothing except DNA.
As each sister faces her past and the issues that mire her in the present, she finds herself forced to make hard choices about her future. Those decisions will also shape her relationships...more
As each sister faces her past and the issues that mire her in the present, she finds herself forced to make hard choices about her future. Those decisions will also shape her relationships...more
Five Miles South of Peculiar by Angela Hunt grabbed me with it's title and fun, airy cover. Once I dove into the pages of the book I was delighted to find a tale set in the South, where I live. I loved the descriptions of the house, the trees, and the other people and places that were in the story. I felt more than read those descriptions and didn't feel that the author was actually describing things and what was going on at all.
I grew up as an only child, so the interactions between the sister...more
I grew up as an only child, so the interactions between the sister...more
Apr 17, 2012
Lori
added it
Everyone can relate to having your nemesis come back into your life and change things. This story of twin sisters who feel they have few choices discover that life can surprise you. Darlene and Carlene, along with younger sister Nolie, get reacquainted when Carlene returns to their childhood home.
This book reminded me of the LaVerle Spencer stories I read that made you feel as if you were standing right beside the character because of the depth of details about the scene. The colors, smells, so...more
This book reminded me of the LaVerle Spencer stories I read that made you feel as if you were standing right beside the character because of the depth of details about the scene. The colors, smells, so...more
This was a great read! Hunt is a captivating writer and really puts the reader in the story. This was a very realistic look into sisters and the relationships they have with each other and with themselves. The emotions in this book are high and range from one spectrum to the other. It made me think of my own sister and how our relationship has grown and changed over the years. From tumultuous into a beautiful friendship that I could not live without!! If you have sister(s) or just want a great r...more
I read this book way too quickly in order to be ready for a book club discussion. I plan to read it again someday when I can leisurely absorb and savor the characters and plot. They are worth it!
This is a story of three sisters with all the rivalry and drama and love that comes with sisters. Darlene and Carlene Caldwell are twins who enjoyed a close relationship until Carlene exhibited a talent for singing. Darlene resented all the attention and expense showered on Carlene in order to get her to...more
This is a story of three sisters with all the rivalry and drama and love that comes with sisters. Darlene and Carlene Caldwell are twins who enjoyed a close relationship until Carlene exhibited a talent for singing. Darlene resented all the attention and expense showered on Carlene in order to get her to...more
Jun 13, 2012
Bluerose's Heart
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian,
little-no-romance
Several years ago, one of my friends loaned me her set of Hunt's Heirs of Cahira O'Connor books. I loved them! Since then I've put a post it note on my brain to read more of Angela's books, but it wasn't until now that I've done so. I really connect with her writing(with a couple of exceptions in this particular book).
Although Five Miles South of Peculiar has many different stories going on, they all revolve around the Caldwell sisters. Carlene and Darlene are the 50 year old twins.
According to...more
Although Five Miles South of Peculiar has many different stories going on, they all revolve around the Caldwell sisters. Carlene and Darlene are the 50 year old twins.
According to...more
This was a great novel. Ms. Hunt does a superb job of developing her characters, especially the main ones. Five Miles South of Peculiar explores in depth each character’s past, why they are the way they are, how they got to be where they currently are, present, the life that they each created for themselves, and ends with a glimpse at each woman’s future.
This book has a nice happy ending for each woman, making this a nice light beach read. There are some heavy things in this book as well; the lo...more
This book has a nice happy ending for each woman, making this a nice light beach read. There are some heavy things in this book as well; the lo...more
Book Title: "Five Miles South of Peculiar”
Author: Angela Hunt
Published By: Howard Books
Age Recommended: 18+
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 4.5
Review: A classic story of three sisters grown yet beginning life anew. Darlene, Carlene, and Magnolia find their way back to their childhood home and discover more about themselves and the power of sisterhood than they ever knew.
A beautifully written novel by an author that writes with grace and elegance; Angela Hunt is one that every woman should...more
Author: Angela Hunt
Published By: Howard Books
Age Recommended: 18+
Reviewed By: Kitty Bullard
Raven Rating: 4.5
Review: A classic story of three sisters grown yet beginning life anew. Darlene, Carlene, and Magnolia find their way back to their childhood home and discover more about themselves and the power of sisterhood than they ever knew.
A beautifully written novel by an author that writes with grace and elegance; Angela Hunt is one that every woman should...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With over three million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 100 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.
Now that her two children have reached their twenties, Angie and her husband live in Florid...more
More about Angela Elwell Hunt...
Now that her two children have reached their twenties, Angie and her husband live in Florid...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Tell me," he said, leaning forward with his elbows braced on his knees, "tell me how you were able to find peace about your situation. How did you forgive the man who hurt you?"
She studied him. Apparently he'd been thinking long and hard about something that disturbed him. The corners of his mouth were tight, and his eyes slightly shiny. Had he been putting himself through this sort of stressful heart searching every night?
"I struggled, yes." She closed her hands to resist the impulse to stroke his cheek. "But when I saw Buddy sitting there, I realized he had already paid a price. And I'm not his judge-I will never be. He has to answer to God, not only for what he did to me, but for how he treated everyone. Knowing that I'm only a tiny piece of the picture-knowing that, I could smile and let it go. I don't really think about him anymore, and I don't hate him. Truthfully, I mostly feel sorry for him."
Erik hung his head. "It sounds so easy when you say it. So sensible."
"I'm not saying what worked for me will for everyone-I mean, "I'm not much of an expert."
Aren't you?" His mouth twisted in wry amusement. "Let me see-instead of being angry at that church for running me off, I need to realize they've paid a price?
"They lost you as a minister. And who knows? Maybe what they did soured other people in town.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
She studied him. Apparently he'd been thinking long and hard about something that disturbed him. The corners of his mouth were tight, and his eyes slightly shiny. Had he been putting himself through this sort of stressful heart searching every night?
"I struggled, yes." She closed her hands to resist the impulse to stroke his cheek. "But when I saw Buddy sitting there, I realized he had already paid a price. And I'm not his judge-I will never be. He has to answer to God, not only for what he did to me, but for how he treated everyone. Knowing that I'm only a tiny piece of the picture-knowing that, I could smile and let it go. I don't really think about him anymore, and I don't hate him. Truthfully, I mostly feel sorry for him."
Erik hung his head. "It sounds so easy when you say it. So sensible."
"I'm not saying what worked for me will for everyone-I mean, "I'm not much of an expert."
Aren't you?" His mouth twisted in wry amusement. "Let me see-instead of being angry at that church for running me off, I need to realize they've paid a price?
"They lost you as a minister. And who knows? Maybe what they did soured other people in town.”
