A Thoroughly Enjoyable Read!
“A whistling woman and a crowing hen never come to a very good end.” This first sentence grabbed my interest right away.
"Whistling Woman" is a thoroughly enjoyable look at the lives and times of historical Hot Springs, North Carolina from 1895 through the early 1900s as seen through the eyes of young Bessie, CC Tillery’s great aunt. The characters are well drawn and believable. I especially loved Bessie’s Cherokee great grandmother, Elisi, who has the second-sight and the gift of healing through herbal remedies, and the gift of storytelling. Elisi teaches Bessie all she knows about healing, and tells her true stories of Indian life in the mountains, about the Trail of Tears and Cherokee legends.
Bessie, the spunky strong child, exasperated her mother at times, but held the large family together, while her fragile mother, often ailing and in bed, depended on Bessie to care for the home and younger siblings. Bessie had a loving spirit and so delegated duties fairly, based on their ages and abilities. At first resentful of her mother’s weakness, she learns a heartwarming lesson of her mother’s true strength. Bessie idolized her Sheriff father and he enjoyed her companionship, but when he turns to drink in their hour of need, can she forgive him?
Bessie’s life is a mixture of fun times, sad times and many life lessons. Still, Bessie has time to daydream about the handsome young man foretold to be her husband. She dreams that someday he will marry her, making her happy and allowing her to become the woman she wants to be.
I like stories that offer inspiration and happy endings and this gave me both. I sure hope there’s another book coming about Bessie.
"Whistling Woman" is a thoroughly enjoyable look at the lives and times of historical Hot Springs, North Carolina from 1895 through the early 1900s as seen through the eyes of young Bessie, CC Tillery’s great aunt. The characters are well drawn and believable. I especially loved Bessie’s Cherokee great grandmother, Elisi, who has the second-sight and the gift of healing through herbal remedies, and the gift of storytelling. Elisi teaches Bessie all she knows about healing, and tells her true stories of Indian life in the mountains, about the Trail of Tears and Cherokee legends.
Bessie, the spunky strong child, exasperated her mother at times, but held the large family together, while her fragile mother, often ailing and in bed, depended on Bessie to care for the home and younger siblings. Bessie had a loving spirit and so delegated duties fairly, based on their ages and abilities. At first resentful of her mother’s weakness, she learns a heartwarming lesson of her mother’s true strength. Bessie idolized her Sheriff father and he enjoyed her companionship, but when he turns to drink in their hour of need, can she forgive him?
Bessie’s life is a mixture of fun times, sad times and many life lessons. Still, Bessie has time to daydream about the handsome young man foretold to be her husband. She dreams that someday he will marry her, making her happy and allowing her to become the woman she wants to be.
I like stories that offer inspiration and happy endings and this gave me both. I sure hope there’s another book coming about Bessie.
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