The new novel by the celebrated author of The Sunday Wife chronicles the lives of a tight-knit group of lifelong friends.
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May 30, 2008
Sarah
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I did not expect much from this book, thought it would be yet another story of the friendship among a group of women. However, I was pleasantly surprised. There actually is depth and grit here. The author alternates her focus among the characters so the reader is able to get each women's perspective and therefore, comes to understand and sympathize with their decisions. The women deal with real life issues. And, like so many of the best novels, it is set in the south! Reminiscent of Patricia Gaf
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Dec 03, 2008
bookczuk
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CAssandra King is a local writer who I have just started to read. Of the books of hers I have read, this is my favorite so far. She took a group of distinct personalities and wove them together in an interesting tale. Funny thing is that part of the setting is my beloved Georgia mountains. When the girls are up at Blue Mountain, I pictured RAbun County in my mind and felt right at home in the hollows and havens of those lush Southern Appalacian hills. While this is a book definitely geared towar
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Jan 04, 2012
Cathy
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 23, 2010
Sidna
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I had a little difficulty getting into this book, but once I did, I wanted to finish it. There are many books about women's realtionships. This is not a particularly good one.
In thinking about the characters in the book, I don't think I would want to befriend any of them. I wonder which character we were supposed to identify with. None of the women were pleasant. There are six female characters in the Same Sweet Girls group, but the story is told from the point of view of three of th More...
In thinking about the characters in the book, I don't think I would want to befriend any of them. I wonder which character we were supposed to identify with. None of the women were pleasant. There are six female characters in the Same Sweet Girls group, but the story is told from the point of view of three of th More...
Nov 30, 2009
Amy
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This book was excellent, a sweet story about the long lasting friendship between six southern women who first met in college at The W, Corrine, Lanier, Julia, Byrd, Rosanelle, and Astor, better know as the SSG's. In their late forties now, they all get together twice a year, in the summer at Lanier's place on Dauphin Island, and in the Fall at Corrine's place on Blue Mountain. The story focuses on Corrine, Lanier, and Julia - Corrine with her controlling ex husband Miles, their son Culley, and C
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Dec 04, 2008
Antof9
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My first thought on starting this book was that it's very similar, though less campy than The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love. One part SPQ, one part Ya-Ya, and one part Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons, I loved this book, but was also disappointed by it. I find myself totally drawn to books like this -- I love the stories about female relationships. But I have to admit disappointment in the talking-behind-each-others'-backs aspect of it.
The Julian (first lady) story line fascin More...
The Julian (first lady) story line fascin More...
Jan 27, 2012
Oma
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This was a book about friendship and acceptance. Not all of the characters were loveable; some of their actions were reprehensible. The story, however, was captivating. The book was about mature women, not some doe eyed young things. They have life histories and complications. They have made mistakes and have supported one another-some more so than others. They dealt with situations and confronted their demons. Some had troubled or unusual marriages. Some had affairs, some resisted. They were no
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Sep 13, 2010
Joanne
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While I have read several women friendship books all with a similar theme and ending, I really enjoyed this one. The Same Sweet Girls are 6 friends from college who meet in the summer(lake) and fall (mountains) for get togethers and have a silly ritual of crowning one of them queen. Approaching their 50th year they've been through a lot and they are not necessarily sweet Southern belles! What sets this book apart is the interesting characters with unique situations and the way the story is tol
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Mar 05, 2011
Kristi
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We read this for book club. Most of the girls thought it was ok... I loved it. It really made me think. Friendship is so important, as women we become so wrapped up in the lives of our husbands and children, and we often forget to cultivate the things that we once loved to do. It really made me think about how important it is to live MY life, not just help my husband and child live theirs. To keep a little bit of selfishness alive, and do the things I love. I was also hit hard by the saying
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Jun 28, 2011
Amanda
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I was pleasantly surprised by this book with a couple of twists that I thought were good. If you liked the book - Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood - you will probably like this book too. You get to know a group of 6 college friends that get together 2x a year to catch up and be the Same Sweet Girls that they were in college. (they were never actually that sweet but that's the fun irony of it) I like how the chapters are told by different characters so that you get more of the story of what
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Sep 15, 2010
Linda
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Isn’t it time to retire the ‘friends since college, friends ‘til the end, and one of them is ill?’ theme?
There was nothing new in this book that hasn’t been seen before, and done considerably better (Elizabeth Berg & Patricia Gaffney to mention two).
Julia, Astor, Byrd, Lanier, Corrine and Rosanelle have been friends since college. They have gone their separate ways, yet they meet twice a year. They call themselves The Same Sweet Girls, and during their yearly get togethers More...
There was nothing new in this book that hasn’t been seen before, and done considerably better (Elizabeth Berg & Patricia Gaffney to mention two).
Julia, Astor, Byrd, Lanier, Corrine and Rosanelle have been friends since college. They have gone their separate ways, yet they meet twice a year. They call themselves The Same Sweet Girls, and during their yearly get togethers More...
Mar 18, 2010
Jennifer
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I picked this one up because lately I've been particularly moved by books that depict the whole "lifelong girlfriends" relational story lately. Blessed to have such a circle of friends, I find myself comparing our storis to these type of books. The Girls From Ames fell short somehow, but this one was MUCH better.
It was a little difficult to follow who was telling the story from time to time (it switches mainly between three of the six women), but overall, it's a neat story More...
It was a little difficult to follow who was telling the story from time to time (it switches mainly between three of the six women), but overall, it's a neat story More...
Jan 14, 2010
Sterlingcindysu
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(copied review) For 30 years, the Same Sweet Girls--a tight-knit group of six Southern women, friends since college--have come together for biannual reunions. This year, they're meeting on Dauphin Island in Alabama. Nearing 50, they all have some serious issues to work through (depression, a loveless marriage, and so on), and they rely on each other for support. But when one of their number gets sick, the group is spurred like never before to fix their personal problems before it's too late. Thi
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Jan 17, 2012
Rachel
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This is the story of six Southern women, and the bonds of friendship that see them through the difficulties of adult life. It serves as a reminder that we can love each other better by embracing the imperfections in others, instead of judging or reprimandin them. It boasts one of the most beautifully poignant, powerful, and memorable endings I've ever read in a book. I could go on, but let me just give you this recommendation and leave it at that. If you like "Southern" literature,
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Aug 15, 2010
Andrea
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If you are a fan of Southern Literature, Pat Conron, Dorothea Benton Frank, then you will love this author.
6 women from a southern college meet twice a year, once in the summer and once on a fall retreat. This book picks up on the women as five of them approach their 50th birthday. The story is told in narrative style by three of the women and their tales involve family and friends of all members. The story builds to a difficult ending, which I would have changed in some ways if I coul More...
6 women from a southern college meet twice a year, once in the summer and once on a fall retreat. This book picks up on the women as five of them approach their 50th birthday. The story is told in narrative style by three of the women and their tales involve family and friends of all members. The story builds to a difficult ending, which I would have changed in some ways if I coul More...
Jan 26, 2010
MsSmartiePants
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Oh, I am so enjoying this book! I didn't know of the author, who is married to Pat Conroy, the best-selling author and co-parent of their seven children. She is a wonderful writer, describing each of the six female main characters in a real-life manner. The six SSG's, as they call themselves, meet bianually in support and celebration. Set in southern Georgia, you can feel the humidity and warmth of the lush surroundings. I haven't progressed to far yet, but I look forward each day to each pag
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Aug 21, 2007
Trish
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When Cathryn learned of my undying love of the Ya Yas, she recommended this book. And it was good. I read it, found I wanted to turn off the TV to keep reading which for me these days is the sign of a compelling story. But I would have loved this book were I not so intimately familiar with the Ya Yas. The Ya Ya Sisterhood is well written where this is not, the rituals the women have are heartfelt, not cheesy as they are here, the women are the kind of friends to each other that we all wish w
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Nov 05, 2011
Roxie
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I thought this book was a page turner...about woman that get together once a year since they were all younger...they all have a story to tell and the author of this book keeps you interested and gets you to turn the pages and not want it to end...my book is falling apart now because it is one that i like to read and has stayed on my bookshelf since i first read it a few years ago...i really loved this one and it also gives you a surprise ending that makes you want to cry...
Mar 29, 2011
Toby
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It was not what I expected. Our Red Hat group is reading it and I expected it to be one of those hilarious books about the crazy things women do together. Instead some of it was a real downer. One of the girls had cancer which had spread to her liver and since my daughter has kidney/liver problems, it was really a downer for me to see her suffer and die. Some of the girls were mean spirited and slept around, etc. It was well written, but just not what I expected.
Jul 13, 2009
Rikki
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Enjoyable and quick read, though sometimes I wished for a bit more understanding about the relationships between these women. It feels a bit like relationships with friends you've had a long time. You just know they're there and you can count on them, but there's a lot about the relationship that goes unexamined. The end left me a bit unresolved b/c but mostly because I wanted to know what happens as their lives move forward.
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Nov 05, 2010
Amanda
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Book about a group of women in their late 40s, early 50s, who have been friends since college. They still get together several times a year. The book mainly focuses on three characters - Julia (the Governor's wife); Lanier (a former jock, who is recently separated from her husband); and Corrine(a gourd artist with a health ailment and a psycho ex-husband and estranged son). It is a nice, easy read.
Mar 10, 2010
Amy
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I got this book on sale at the bookstore and I was interested because I love reading stories about Southern women. When I first started the book I was skeptical. It was a little hard to get into. I kept reading and soon enough I couldn't put the book down! I loved how each woman in the story has such a life lesson to them. You learn a lot about love and life reading this book. I definitely recommend it!
Oct 05, 2011
Maria
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I enjoyed this book. I loved the fact that these girls have been close friends for 25 years and while their lives took such different paths they always stayed in touch and made time for each other. I also loved that while they each had easily recognized flaws, their redeeming values far over took them. I don't want to add a spoiler so I will close with my heart just clenched at the ending.
Apr 12, 2011
Ashley
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Most certainly an "older" in life kinda book. The life events that have occured and occur to this group of friends is focused around those post-babies, young families and careers. It was a good story about friendship. There were parts that were too intraspective for my tastes, but the book did keep my attention. Great perspective on groups of women and friends- espiecally the emphasis that not everyone will like one another 100% of the time.
Jul 03, 2009
Joan
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The strength of this book is in the character development. There is negligible plot; and a number of dead-end avenues open up many possibilities but little resolution. Fifty pages into the book I started to skim-read in preparation for abandoning the book. However, a couple of the characters had begun to intrigue me, and I continued to read to see what would happen in their lives. By the end of the book, I had become so involved with the SSGs that I finished the reading and regretfully closed th
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Jul 20, 2011
Liz
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When I first started this book I was delighted because it was fun and easy and funny and made me think about my group of college girlfriends and wishing we could see each other more often. Then I got into the meat of the book and found it so much deeper. It's about friends, family, hardships and above all love. It's well written and the characters are so real. A very moving book I would recommend to any woman.
May 22, 2009
Emi
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I listened to this one on audio books---it was a fluffy "I'm on summer vacation" choice that ended up being anything but. A beautiful story of friendship between 5 southern women, it explores what makes these women who they are together and apart. I loved this book and I'd highly recommend the Audio over the actual text. The woman who reads it is phenomenal!
Feb 01, 2011
Allison
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A novel told by several different narrators, as many of King's works are. This one is about a group who have been friends since college, and are now entering their fifties. Very well written; each character's section is decidedly different and stands out. It's one of those books where you think you know how it's going to end, but you're wrong.
Feb 22, 2011
Susan
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This is one of those reads that starts out a little slow, isn't as meaty as some, but keeps you interested enough to want to finish it. The Same Sweet Girls are now in their 50s and going through some life-altering experiences. There is a lot of flashback stories to the days when they first met in college. Some of it is mindless dribble, but eventually the story picks up. There were some amusing bits and there was always a story that reminded me of some of my girlfriends and myself along the way
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