Sydney's comments (member since Jul 18, 2008)

Sydney's comments from the Southern Lit Lovers group.

Caroline's friend Deidre declared that Caroline and Louise are "two of a kind" and later John Henry tells Caroline, "You are so much like your mother." Do you agree that they were alike? In what ways were they alike and when? What did you think of Caroline's similarities to Louise late in the novel? How did she become less like Louise?

I think Caroline and Louise are very much alike. They are both strong, Southern women, but strong in very different ways. Caroline was strong willed and independent. Louise had a strong spirit, but was still "Bound South." She had such strong ties to her hometown that she couldn't leave... and sometimes I think it takes just as much strength to stay in you hometown as it does to leave it.


Louise often thought of her brief college romance with Ben Ascher. Do you think she really regretted not staying with him and marrying John Henry or was it a case of absence (and time) make the heart grow fonder because they weren't together for very long. Could a relationship between them have lasted?

I think Ben Ascher was a regret for Louise. Obviously she loved her children, and wouldn't have them if it weren't for John Henry. But I think all of us have that one person in life where we wonder "What if it would have turned out different?" And Ben Ascher was Louise's "What if?" I definitely think a relationship with the two of them could have lasted. But Louise's life would have turned out completely different.

Finally jumping in here... Did you expect that Caroline and Frederick would get caught being together in one way or another by the people at school?

I guess I didn't expect them to get caught the way they did. Obviously it was a risk, but there was actually a case of a student teacher dating a student on the sly at my high school... she ended up getting hired full time at my school... the guy graduated from college and they're now married with three kids. Was it right for her to date a student? no. but 4-5 years isn't that big an age gap in the grand scheme of things. and in the Caroline and Fredrick case, she seemed so much more mature for her age than her classmates. I also thought she would be a little more street-wise than performing a sex act on her teacher at school!

Did I expect them to run away? No. But I wasn't entirely surprised. I was slightly disappointed that Caroline didn't follow her dream and go to New York.
I really felt cheated with her character. She was probably the most interesting character in the book, and I don't feel like I got enough of her story from her point of view.

I nominate Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was funny, but I felt like I wanted more from the daughter character. She had so many layers and was just very interesting. I wish I could have had more from her perspective.

No problem. Believe it or not, I'm actually good at keeping my mouth shut!

i won't wreck anything, but I read 100 pages in the last 24 hours!!! :-) I think I'll finish it. I can't wait to discuss!

I have the book! YAY!
Got it from the library today, but have to finish it in a week as it is a 7 day loan book. Hopefully I can renew it... I know I can't finish it in a week! Looks good!

I don't have the book, and I'm not sure if I'll have it by April 15. Will try!

I would be up for it... I support either of those choices Jo...

Though I've read "Garden Spells" so that author's second book "The Sugar Queen" would be my suggestion.

I've been reading a lot of fluff lately, but currently am reading true-crime. "Perfect Murder, Perfect Town" about the JonBenet Ramsey case. One of my dear friends LOVES this type of book, loaned it to me at least 3 years ago, and now she's moving so I HAVE to read it and get it back to her. It's slow going right now. Hoping to read "Saving Grace" by Lee Smith next.

I've done a bit of crocheting here and there. Small things like bookmarks and potholders. It's been too hot for blankets and bigger projects.

Also waiting for my tomatoes to ripen. I've got a couple of big ones, but they are still very green. Blasted cool Wisconsin summers... I love em... but I want my tomatoes already!

oh, I also like the first Lee Smith book I read, "The Last Girls" and am hoping to read more by her!

I'm Sydney. Just joined the group moments ago. I am a working mom to a very active 3 year old boy. I try to squeeze in reading whenever I can. I guess I kind of drift toward Southern Lit without really thinking about it. I've got a bunch of books on my to read shelf by Southern authors.

I loved "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood," I like Bille Letts and Mary Kay Andrews as authors. Also loved "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."