Isle of Palms
by Dorothea Benton Frank (Goodreads author!)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 401)
Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
south carolina lovers
this is a great summer read since it is set on the Isle of Palms in South Carolina. It also takes place in summer, but that also might be a good excuse to read it in the dead of winter so you can imagine yourself in some warm place for a while. It's a quick read, but a thick book. It deals with a single mother, Anna, and her daughter, Emily, who just finished her first year of college. Emily is not happy about moving home for the summer, especially to a home Anna just bought for the two of t...more
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Read in August, 2008
I read some of the other reviews while I was reading this. I would agree that the main character was tacky. Supposedly she's 37, but I think it would have been more fitting if she was 57. I can't say I hated it because it was fun and somewhat interesting. I think all of the characters have low IQ's, and that may justify why the author didn't get too deep in regards to Abby's mother and her rapist.
So I feel better about the story if I remind myself that the characters are stupid and older-...more
So I feel better about the story if I remind myself that the characters are stupid and older-...more
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I read this because I was desperate and a friend lent it to me. Dorothea Benton Frank is possibly the worst writer I have ever read. God, she's awful. The story is fine, it's just the hackneyed writing that's impossible to deal with. Honestly, she uses every cliche ever created, and by the end of this book, I wanted to hit her. I mean, how many times can you use the expression "cut some heads" in one book? And she'll only date a man in a suit and slicked back hair? Gross. Even ...more
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Read in April, 2008
I had trouble finishing this one. I found the author's attempt at humor made it difficult for me to take the story seriously. For me, the wonderful gay husband a bit unrealistic. Even in fiction, I don't think a relationship could be established between a father and daughter when the child was the result of the father drugging, beating and raping the mother on their first and only date on prom night. This is the first (and probably last) book I have read by this author.
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Read in June, 2008
I often avoid novels that look like romance fiction, but Dorothea Benton Frank promised a good tale about an attractive place. Isle of Palms lives up to that promise, albeit with a happy ending too facile for my tastes. Her style is breezy, her characters amusing and well drawn, and her Lowcountry is indeed endearing. So I picked up another of hers, Shem Creek, at the library for some relaxing backyard reading.
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Dorothea Benton Frank is a WONDERFUL Southern writer...She grew up in South Carolina's lowcountry and now lives in NY, so all of her books are set in SC & (usually) in NY. Her older books are the best, but all of her books are worth reading. In each book, I laugh, I cry, I get so involved that I don't want the story to end. All Southerners (and Yankee transplants) will love her books!
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Again so excited to read her new books but this one truly did not live up to my expectation.It had Lucy,the neighbor, the rebellious daughter, the gay husband, but it never took you anywhere.Some cute dialogue but I found it was just too shallow.Also right when they found her real father the book ended. No other mention of him.Least favorite of all her books.
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Read in January, 2005
I believe this was the first of her books that I read, which was a few years ago after my sister lent me the book. I have since tried to stay current on her books. I really enjoy them all. I do tend to be biased since they are all based in the South Carolina lowcountry, but the storylines are pretty good as well! They are good "girl" books.
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Read in September, 2007
This book was just not my cup of tea. I could almost hear fingernails on a chalkboard as I was trying to read it. All of Anna's whining and angst was just too much for me. After reading Pawley's Island by the author, I was so hopeful I'd found another good southern writer. Oh well...
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I read this while I was vacationing on Isle of Palms. It was cool to read about a place on the island and then go check it out. All of Benton Frank's books make you slow down a little and appreciate the little things - a nice breeze, a strong drink, friendships.
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Sarah by:
another librarianrecommends it for: anyone who likes cute stories
I was told that if I like Janet Evanovich than I needed to try this author. This was a cute book, but I didn't laugh even once. I'm going to try another of her books because although I didn't laugh the book had a good (pretty clean) story.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in September, 2006
This girl wasn't the smartest, brightest or luckiest person but she made the best of what she had. She didn't take chances and valued people. She'd never hit the popular tabloids but she ended up being very happy.
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-I read this right before I went to her book signing. It wasn’t bad. Great wit and flair in her writing style. The resolution could use some work. "
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All of her books are easy reads. Great for the beach! And if you love the South Carolina lowcountry, well these are definitely recommended!
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Read in May, 2008
Great summer beach read about a woman standing on her own 2 feet after a very long time. A feel good kind of story that is a fast read.
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Dorthea Benton Frank writes a lot about Charleston and the areas surrounding. Great beach reads, lots of fun!
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Read in January, 2005
This book was good! Made me laugh and learn about not sweating the small stuff and reaching for your dreams.
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Read in December, 2007
I am from South Carolina and I love the low country. These books take me back there and it makes me happy.
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Loved this book. It brings the Isle of Palms to life. If you have never been there you must go!
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LOVED all of her books - there's a whole series of different parts of the low-country
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