Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
33rd out of 323 books
—
518 voters
Pawleys Island (Lowcountry Tales #5)
by
Dorothea Benton Frank (Goodreads Author)
Catapulted from her home, her marriage and her children, artist Rebecca Simms has come to Pawleys Island to hide herself from herself. Little does she know that on this “arrogantly shabby” family playground, she’ll encounter three people who will change her life: a wise and irresistible octogenarian who will pry her secrets from her, a gallery owner who caters to interior...more
Paperback, 361 pages
Published
May 2nd 2006
by Berkley
(first published May 3rd 2005)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
Rebecca suddenly found herself dumped by her husband Nat, and her two kids taken away from her by the courts. She leaves Charleston and heads off to a friends to try and get on with her life. While there, she stops in at a local art gallery in the neighboring Pawleys Island to try and sell some of her watercolor prints and its there that she meets Huey, a man that is about to change her life for the better. He hires Rebecca to work at the gallery, shows her work at an opening, and most important...more
I've loved Dorothea Benton Frank's books since her first one, "Sullivan's Island," came out, and I've always awaited the arrival of her next book. Her books are easy, happy reads that are enjoyable. However, by this book (what, her 5th book?) my interest is starting to wane. They all seem to follow the same formula - woman (sometimes has a child, sometimes not) is unhappy with her life in either NYC or NJ; woman goes back to the Carolina's island on which she grew up (often begrudgingly); woman...more
As I recall it, Pawleys Island was the first novel by Dorothea Benton Frank that I ever read. Reading it again recently I understand why I have been such a fan of her work every since.
Rebecca Simms has come to the island to escape her past. She is a talented artist, and secures a job at a gallery which ends up representing her work.
Art Gallery Valentine is owned by the delightfully eccentric Huey Valentine, whose good friend Abigail also befriends Rebecca. Abigail is a retired lawyer, and, as sh...more
Rebecca Simms has come to the island to escape her past. She is a talented artist, and secures a job at a gallery which ends up representing her work.
Art Gallery Valentine is owned by the delightfully eccentric Huey Valentine, whose good friend Abigail also befriends Rebecca. Abigail is a retired lawyer, and, as sh...more
. A very enjoyable read. It was predictable, but humorous, well-paced, very much the typical Frank family-relationship-story set in the Carolinas w/ S Carolina a "character" in the story. I read a couple chapters the first night and finished the book the second night, a compelling read.
Two middle -aged women, strangers to each other at first, discover that their lives have similarities. One, a lawyer, who, because of some tragic circumstances, has "retired" from the profession. The other woman...more
Two middle -aged women, strangers to each other at first, discover that their lives have similarities. One, a lawyer, who, because of some tragic circumstances, has "retired" from the profession. The other woman...more
I enjoyed the story. It was well-written with believable, well developed characters. However, I was somewhat disappointed in the book. Having lived in Pawleys Island for ten years, I was really excited to read this book. I had read _Porch Lights_ and could absolutely visualize Sullivan's Island so I was expecting the same thing. It was not anywhere near the level of _Porch Lights_. It was obvious that the author did not have the extensive knowledge of Pawleys that she does with Sullivan's Island...more
I am in love with the south, or at least my romanticized version of it. One day I will live there- perhaps when home values go back up in Michigan and we can sell our house. Until then, here I am in the North, dreaming of the south. I find myself in the same reading patterns every summer - reading books set in the south, Faulkner to Tennessee Williams (love him), to Connie May Fowler (another favorite), to Dorothea Benton Frank. There are no limits or limitations.
This summer is no different. As...more
This summer is no different. As...more
This sure as heck isn't great literature but rather a bit of diverting beach read. As a part-time resident of Pawleys Island, S.C. I was excited by the title and immediately dived in. Frank has a lot of local color and amazing characters in the book. The whole art gallery thing was a bit difficult to take-they tend to be rather snooty down here. Sometimes it goes overboard with the "grits wouldn't melt in her mouth" and southern nuttiness stuff. There are darn few real locals in Pawleys, I have...more
view 2 comments
Loved Hughey..Frank's books are always a good, easy read with a happy ending..helps to clear the mind between too many intense stories..
Dorothea Benton Frank is one of my guilty pleasures. When I should be reading something "literary" or something for work, I curl up with one of her books and take a little vacation. She does a great job of making the low country of the Carolinas sing a siren song. The smell of the sea and the mud, the sound of waves against the shore and ceiling fans in the night, the taste of shrimp 'n' grits or fried everything...all are vivid and tantalizing in Frank's books.
This story is about the healing po...more
This story is about the healing po...more
I had a hard cover given to me as a gift by a friend since I am blessed to live in the paradise of Pawleys Island, at least until a hurricane blows me away. I might have enjoyed it more as a paperback since this kind of light, fluffy chicklit just isn't a book to keep but rather the kind you zip through on a dreary evening and then take to My Sister's Books to trade in for another quick read. Mrs. Frank doesn't seem at home in this part of the Lowcountry and doesn't capture the ambiance and char...more
I find myself muddling through Dorothea Benton Frank's books simply because of the setting. I have visited Charleston, South Carolina many times, and love reading about spots I've seen and restaurants where I've eaten. But that is really the only appeal to me with these books. I really enjoy stories where I can get emotionally attached to the characters, and that just doesn't happen with this author's characters. In the case of this book, one of the main characters is dealing with the aftermath...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Oh my goodness this was just a joy to read. It is filled with great southern humor. You laugh, you cry, and you just plain enjoy the book. After all of the dark books I have been reading this light airly book has been wonderful. She is writing about dark subjects, but using southern strenght in humor to make you see the light at the end of the tunnel. If you was a short uplifitng book go pick this one up. IF you are from this area you will understand completely.....be perpared for a good chuckle...more
This book was so unrealistic with the way everything falls into place. Rebecca looks to be becomiong a great artist and ends up winning everything back from her horrible husband (her kids, her home, money). Abigail gets the man and it appears she will have a lucrative law practice again (of course she has tons of money and a wonderful place to live). Huey has a wonderful love life. Rebecca's kids are happy and life is great - real life just does not work that way.
Sometimes I become a bit depressed after having read another book about WW1 or WW2 and I decide to get something lighter.But I find I can't tolerate books without substance anymore. Perhaps a sign of getting older, hopefully wiser. However, when I finished reading a book I want to have learned something, even if it is juste something about myself. I am not denouncing this book - there was a time that I would have enjoyed it. Not for me, not anymore
Another good beach book. Female lawyer quits practice after her son anad husband die. Moves to Pawley's island to forget. Meets young artist who escaped an abusive husband who left her, provided no support and keep her from getting custody or visitation of children. Female lawyer takes case and makes everything right. Allows both women to find a new life. Feel good story about relationships. Somewhat surprising twist at end.
This was my least favorite of Frank's books that I've read so far. It was predictable and a little bland. -- Husband leaves wife for another woman. Woman moves to Pawleys Island. (Good choice) Woman meets super attorney and sues husband. Gets everything. Everybody hates husband because he's an ass. The best character in this book was Huey, the gay art dealer. He was fabulous, even if it was stereotypical.
I grabbed this book off the shelf at the library, for no particular reason. When I started reading it, I thought it would be about the trials of life, and what we go thru to recover. It also had a good (although admittedly simplified) story of the damage an emotionally abusive spouse can inflict on the self-esteem and self-worth of their partner. It was a good story of friendship, and the ability to persevere.
May 09, 2012
F H
added it
At the risk of repeating many, it's not enduring "great" literature, but for a little escapism, an' whom amongst us doesn't need a little (or even a lot!) of that occasionally, it's perfect, especially if one is from, "got here as fast as possible," and/or still lives in the South or the Low Country. The local color adds to the charm of the story and some of the characters are just that!
You may, or may not, know that I have a few authors that I like and try to keep up with their books. I like this rather than trying random books by different authors - though I do take suggestions from other readers. My authors of choice are James Patterson, John Grisham, Patricia Cornwell and Nicholas Sparks. I have a new one to add to my list...
Her name is Dorothea Benton Frank. She has 5 books, all of which are set in the lowcountry of South Carolina. Obviously I am a bit partial, but I think...more
Her name is Dorothea Benton Frank. She has 5 books, all of which are set in the lowcountry of South Carolina. Obviously I am a bit partial, but I think...more
One of my absolute favorite books ever! I have it on cd - read by the author which I wasn't too keen on since some authors aren't great readers - but this is extremely well written and read. I think I love the book because I can relate to every single character in the book...2 characters are redefining their lives - one character LOVES to eat...each character is totally real!
I really like this author, keeps me very entertained and always enjoy the story. This one was fun for me because the entire time I was reading I kept thinking that I knew this story, I had read this book but didn't remember a thing about it. When all finished reading it I knew that I had read it before and still loved it. Very much worth the read, I recommend it to anyone.
Entertaining review of people finding themselves on Pawleys Island, set amidst a season of numerous hurricanes.
Note to author: hire a professional reader. I''m a huge fan of authors reading their autobiographies because it's someone telling your their story, first-hand (Madeline Albright, Jack Welch). But works of fiction deserve to be read by professionals. Yes, there is an art to reading, and it's very different from the art of writing!
Note to author: hire a professional reader. I''m a huge fan of authors reading their autobiographies because it's someone telling your their story, first-hand (Madeline Albright, Jack Welch). But works of fiction deserve to be read by professionals. Yes, there is an art to reading, and it's very different from the art of writing!
I think I read this book more for the setting than the story - being from Myrtle Beach, by the end of the book I wanted to drive on down to the Inlet to enjoy some down time...not pick up another book of hers though. Nothing really unique about the story, instead I found it just creating characters to fill stereo types. Disappointing since I LOVE stories based in SC and NC.
Wow! This is another great tale by Dorothea Benton Frank. Pawley's Island is her fifth book in the Lowcountry Tales series. Frank can really write a pageturner. Her characters are so true to life and you feel like you know them personally. She loves to write about women who are facing life challenges and this book is no exception.
I figured this was a fictional island, but now find it is real. between Charleston and Myrtle Beach. I imagine the folks in NC really like it. It was real chicklit, sometimes trying to be more but not succeeding. I finished it (a tribute) and enjoyed it, mostly for its sense of place.
Always like books in this setting - I think I'm meant to live in a small cottage by the sea! The characters were great with their southern quirks. A fun story line about a woman's divorce and the friends brought into her life by chance to help her get through.
Almost done with this book in audio format. It was read by the author, which sometimes is a big mistake. In Ms. Benton Frank's case, her voice has charm, but I wish she had done a better job of differentiating between characters, all of which are either, likable, quirky & fun, or outragious.
2 likes · like · see review
This is the first book I have read by Ms. Frank and I have to say I thorougly enjoyed it. The setting, the story line, the characters, everything was great. I could just picture the characters and loved everyone of them. Love and friendship brought to life. I want to live on the South Carolina coast. It sounds truly beautiful!!
I don't think that there is a book that Ms. Frank has written that does not make me want to pick up and move to lowcountry and just settle in. I keep her books on my Kindle so that I can have that get-away read whenever I need it.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Dorothea Benton Frank is the New York Times best selling author of ten novels.
Dottie has appeared on NBC's Today Show, Parker Ladd's Book Talk and many local network affiliated television stations. She is a frequent speaker on creative writing and the creative process for students of all ages and in private venues as the National Arts Club, the Junior League of New York, Friends of the Library org...more
More about Dorothea Benton Frank...
Dottie has appeared on NBC's Today Show, Parker Ladd's Book Talk and many local network affiliated television stations. She is a frequent speaker on creative writing and the creative process for students of all ages and in private venues as the National Arts Club, the Junior League of New York, Friends of the Library org...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
