Pat Conroy called Dorothea Benton Frank's debut, Sullivan's Island, "hilarious and wise," while Anne Rivers Siddons declared that it "roars ...
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reviews
Aug 25, 2010
Marcia
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Plantation by Dorothea Benton Frank has been on the "gotta get to this book" list for some time. Now that a follow-up book, Lowcountry Summer, has just come out, I figured it was time to get to Plantation which I had downloaded to my Kindle last year.
Plantation was a story of a family finding its true self again after years of misinterpretations and misunderstandings. I enjoyed seeing Caroline Wimbley Levine find her true heart and home, although it seemed at times that s More...
Plantation was a story of a family finding its true self again after years of misinterpretations and misunderstandings. I enjoyed seeing Caroline Wimbley Levine find her true heart and home, although it seemed at times that s More...
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Nov 18, 2011
Carolyn
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I've read several excellent novels set in the Low Country of the U.S. Southeast (roughly, along the tidal coast between Charleston and Savannah) by three authors: Pat Conroy, Anne Rivers Siddons, and Dorothea Benton Frank. Though a long way from being a native, I'm familiar with the territory because my husband grew up in Savannah and one of my brothers has lived in the Charleston area for 45 years or so.
As with the others, this book's characters are so richly drawn I felt as if I kne More...
As with the others, this book's characters are so richly drawn I felt as if I kne More...
Sep 19, 2011
Judi/Judith
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I picked this novel up at a local library book sale for 25 cents and I got a big surprise when I opened the book and started reading. I couldn't stop turning the pages of this mesmerizing story of a family in distress in the Low Country, which are the islands surrounding Charleston, SC. As I was reading this wonderful novel I couldn't help thinking the the writing style seemed similar to a cross between Pat Conroy and Fannie Flag, two popular southern authors. This novel will be a revisit for an
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Nov 17, 2011
Carolyn
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I know of three authors who write excellent novels set in the Low Country of the US Southeast - roughly, along the coast between Savannah and Charleston. It's territory I'm familiar with because my husband grew up in Savannah and one of my brothers has made his home in the Charleston area for the last 45 years or so. The three are Pat Conroy, Anne River Siddons, and Dorothea Benton Frank. I feel as if their characters are part of my own family. They have problems and flaws, they learn from them,
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May 07, 2008
Gloria
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This may have even been better than Sullivan's Island, which was the first Frank book for me. It was so clever and funny, but yet so poignant. The characters were so well developed--it was a really fun read, for sure. Hmmm, which Dorothea Benton Frank book I will tackle next?????
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Mar 10, 2011
Susy
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After the family history that was Middlesex, I needed to head back to South Carolina's Low Country so Plantation was a perfect winter get away of the mind. This is my second read by the author & I actually think her first novel so while some of the themes seemed familiar I think this is where DB Frank tested out what matters to her. And what matters is a sense of place; the knowledge that no matter what one can still go home again; and perhaps most importantly that a woman who hasn't been give
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Jun 25, 2010
Kimberly
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The characters in Plantation are fantastic! Love them (Miss Lavinia) or not (Frances Mae), they are all vividly portrayed and intriguing. Certain characters reminded me so much of members of my own family, especially Trip's brood (I probably shouldn't say that, haha!). Frank's descriptions of the ACE Basin are so colorful and graphic you can feel the mugginess in the air, taste Miss Sweetie's strawberry jam, and smell Miss Lavinia's roses. This is one of the few books I've read that emotes b
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Dec 14, 2008
Natalie
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A masterpiece in what I would call "character-driven fiction." Much like my own writing, it's not the plot-points that sell this as much as the characters, think Fanny Flagg but faster moving fiction. The mother in this novel is one of the best female characters I've seen in a long time and quite original, warm, funny, inviting. It's told from the daughter's point of view in first person. You will bawl your eyes out towards the end when the mother holds her last great "Hurrah!
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Dec 16, 2008
Mary Jo
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I'm beginning to see a common thread running through many of the last few books I have read... South Carolina! I think maybe I ought to move there! I have vacationed in the same area where this book takes place, and I loved it there. This book enhances my opinion of the whole ACE basin area of SC. It's easy to read and one of those that keeps luring you back. A fun book to read with just a few tears thrown in for good measure. Sometimes tears are good and they do give some measure to my ratings.
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Feb 01, 2011
Clare
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One star is too many for this book. In the spirit of full disclosure, I need to say that I could not get past the first 100 pages before I put it down in disgust. The author relies on stereotypes (a pregnant woman thinks she is going to have a girl because she craves pink food), improbablities (a woman says nothing to her husband after calling his hotel room and his jealous ex-wife answers the phone), and misinformation (the information shared regarding learning disabilites is misleading and j
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Dec 12, 2009
Linda
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I have read several books by Dorothea Benton Frank that I have enjoyed very much. However, I did not like Plantation as much as the others. The story is good, a grown daughter returning to South Carolina to care for her mother, however I never really connected with the daughter. She seemed to behave in ways that didn't seem in character. The descriptions of the Low Country of South Carolina are very well done. The loving and devoted housekeeper was funny and delightful, my favorite character
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Aug 14, 2011
Nina
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I loved this novel and didn't want it to end. Plantation is a sweeping family tale set in the heart of lowcountry of South Carolina. The book is written beautifully and there were enough twists and turns that I didn't exactly know how it would end. I loved all the main characters and now I see that this is book 2 in a series by Frank. I will be buying the rest to read asap. This is a great easy read that has it all-- drama, romance, humor and interesting storylines. Perfect summer book.
Jul 14, 2010
Trudi
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Lots of interesting, well-developed characters. Caroline grew up in South Carolina, lives in New York as a married woman. When she separates from her husband, Caroline and her son come back to live with her mother, Miss Lavinia, in the home where Caroline grew up. A "typically Southern" novel with southern "characters," including Miss Lavinia who flirts outrageously, has pontoon parades on the river, etc.
Sep 21, 2008
Kellie
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This was probably one of the better Dot Frank books I have read. Although, I think this book could have been shorter. There were some slow moving parts in the book that I think can be eliminated without taking anything away from the content. I love the humor and the southern flair. (Unique characteristics of the Lowcountry Tales). This book was about Caroline and her family. Caroline and her mother have always had a somewhat strained relationship ever since the death of her father. When C
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Feb 14, 2011
Arleen
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Jul 02, 2011
Lorna
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I loved Frank's Sullivan Island so I thought I would love this one too. I picked up and put it down, picked it up and put it down. Then last week I picked it up again and finished it in two days. I love the southern humor and the voodoo herbs. This is a fun read once you get past the first couple of chapters it swings into gear and you'll be laughing all the way to the end.
May 08, 2011
Robin
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I can't wait for summer to start so I started my summer beach reading early! Benton-Frank writes fun character-driven stories set in the South Carolina lowcountry - her books aren't going to change your life but they are fun to read! This is a story of mothers and daughters, of second chances and forgiveness. I enjoyed it, and it makes me want to visit Charleston, SC for a mint julep!
Mar 08, 2009
Elizabeth
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Great read -- a South Carolina lowcountry tale set on the Edisto River with lively, likable, if dysfunctional, characters who make their peace with each other, themselves, and their heritage. The author knows the subject and the southern voice and does them beautifully -- I still hear, see, and taste the lowcountry from our Pawley's Island experiences.
Aug 27, 2011
Chris
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this is an excellent story!
Caroline Wimbley Levine returns home to Tall Pines Plantation after a disappointing end to her marriage and life in NYC.
Her son, Eric, is said to have learning disabilities in NYC, yet he flourishes in SC.
I love the way Dorothea is able to bring the characters to life on her pages. I was able to experience the depth of emotions Caroline felt. I cried when she cried and was happy with her as she walked into her destiny at home in Tall
Caroline Wimbley Levine returns home to Tall Pines Plantation after a disappointing end to her marriage and life in NYC.
Her son, Eric, is said to have learning disabilities in NYC, yet he flourishes in SC.
I love the way Dorothea is able to bring the characters to life on her pages. I was able to experience the depth of emotions Caroline felt. I cried when she cried and was happy with her as she walked into her destiny at home in Tall
Jul 26, 2010
Jenny
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Such a fun read! Lots of parallels to the "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood" which is probably another reason why I liked it: strong, quirky, alcoholic matriarch, mother/daughter with love/hate relationship, mother's friends are as quirky and alcoholic as she is and they act like sisters, reconciling events of one's past to eventually accept love, etc. Looks like the sequel came out just last month so I'll definitely be checking it out soon!
Jan 04, 2012
Linda
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A very good way to start out 2012 with a book by one of my very favorite authors. This is an old one and has the same people in it as in the newer Low Country Summer which I read recently. She is so good at creating characters that you feel like you know and care about by the time you've finished her books. I hope she writes many more.
Oct 07, 2011
Dianne
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Surprised that I liked this as much as I did. It is horrible, but I tend to judge a book by its covering and this one just looked boring. Glad I looked beyond it and picked it up. I really wanted to try out this author and will definately try another one of her books. Good story, funny characters and southern setting. I liked it.
Jul 01, 2010
Bonnie
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Just discovered this author! If you like Pat Conroy's books, you will love Dottie Frank's books. She is a funny, southern writer. She grew up in the lowcountry of South Carolina and is currently living in New York City. Her books are all set in South Carolina (Islands off the coast of Charleston). She writes about family relationships and her characters are wonderful. I can't wait to read more.
Jun 29, 2011
Montrudd
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A good southern 'returning home' story; when people leave home to find 'something better' or 'more fulfilling',usually there is a point when they realize what they rejected or fled from in their youth is actually 'home' and return to it; this story is a well-written example of just that. Sometimes one has to be away from 'home' in order to see where and what it really is.
Jun 21, 2011
Meg
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Shit on this book. It's my own fault that I kept going, but I felt it was pretty good until 350 pages or so. I couldn't stop when I was that far invested and then it just got so much worse. Layers and layers of BS cliche southern woman rediscovering her love of home and freedom from a shit marriage and reacquaintance with her faith. Vomit on a stick! Just serve me up a 12 pack of American cheese instead; I'd feel just as disgusted upon finishing. I kept thinking if I died while I was reading thi
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Sep 30, 2011
Carolyn (in SC) C234D
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This was not a favorite for me by this writer. Part of the story was nice, but Caroline, the main character, acted rather foolishly with men in my opinion, and that is always a turn-off for me. The character development wasn't great. It did have good local color.
Feb 08, 2012
Rapidio
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This was a re-read, obviously I liked it. I anted to refresh my memory before I got into the sequel, which I believe is "Low Country Summer".
Dorothea Benton Frank has the ability to evoke setting and place. I love her descriptions of the low country. As a denizen of Savannah, GA I am very familiar with the area---and don't we all appreciate the familiar? As for "Southern" books, no-one except for perhaps Pat Conroy captures the feel and milieu as well as Frank.
Dorothea Benton Frank has the ability to evoke setting and place. I love her descriptions of the low country. As a denizen of Savannah, GA I am very familiar with the area---and don't we all appreciate the familiar? As for "Southern" books, no-one except for perhaps Pat Conroy captures the feel and milieu as well as Frank.
Jan 23, 2010
Jenny
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Family, culture, values, traditions, a mother that would do anything for her children, in sum: "a lot of learning to do here." Dorothea is the ONE of the best writers of the South, and one of my favorites, read this book and find out why.
Aug 15, 2011
Barbara
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Dorthea Benton Frank is my secret pleasure. She writes about SC and I love SC. This book is set near Edisto SC which is where I vacation every year. I made me want to go back to Edisto right then and there.
Apr 06, 2011
Ellyn
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This is one of Frank's earlier novels, and one of my favorites for something fun, something light but not mindless, with an intoxicating, sometimes-sentimental, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, taste of the South.
