Slow Poison

by Sheila Bosworth

“Miss Cade passing.” The letter arrives with little fanfare and fewer details, yet the meaning is clear: The Cade family of Covington, Louisiana, has cause to grieve once more.

Called home from her first book tour, author Rory Cade boards a flight from New York to New Orleans. In the next seat, her brother-in-law and former lover Johnny Killelea, now a famous journalist, drinks Scotch and stirs up memories of events long past but never forgotten. As the plane flies south through stormy skies, Rory recalls her family’s turbulent history: her mother and stepmother’s early deaths; her brilliant and charismatic father’s descent into alcoholism; and the romances, heartbreaks, and secrets that shaped her own life and those of her two sisters.

As the tumultuous events of the 1960s unfold, the Cades are pulled apart by their private demons of money, madness, and lust. Exquisitely crafted by one of the South’s finest storytellers, Slow Poison is the rich and evocative tale of this star-crossed family’s triumphs and misfortunes.

Genres: Fiction, Literature

321 pages, Hardcover

First published February 25, 1992

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was difficult going from Grau to this, as Grau's writing is so much more lyrical. Plus, the emblematic statement in the prologue and at the end, about only being able to get a proper old-fashioned in the South, and repetition of its composition of "some bourbon, some bitters, some sugar" was too heavy-handed for me. And while this novel was less romantic about the ramifications of heavy drinking and alcoholism, it still provided the leitmotif of the novel.
To be fair, though, I liked the main character, and I did generally care what happened to the characters. So I did want to read to the end.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great read. The story is narrated by the middle sister in a quirky southern family. She has a gift for describing life in the south, family relations, the eccentricities of the characters, and their interactions and situations within that family and those in their orbit. She also nails the whole culture of living in the south, right down to the climate, on the head. Loved this book and one I have on my bookshelf and re-read yearly.

[Laurean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crying and laughing

It's going to take me awhile to get over this sweet, bitter, harrowing tale of love, family, and lose. As a New Orleanian, I love books set in Louisiana with characters who, to others, seem exaggerated but absolutely are not. Sheila Bosworth's characters live and breath in and around New Orleans. Read this heartgrabbing book for a wild ride .

[Kschott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic modern Southern novel. The name says it all.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was it comedy? Yes
Was it tragedy? Yes
Was it one of the most realistic and fascinating books I ever read? Yes!

[Jennie Ridley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a southern book by a southern author. Quirky/crazy family of 3 girls who are so endearing but also infuriating at times. A few men play key roles as well but it’s really about the Cade women, their strength and handling of the messy life they’ve been given.

[Sally Loper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish she had written more books. Truly a masterpiece. GreatWrter.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The magnificent Sheila Bosworth has only written two books. Both are wonderful New Orleans slices of life. Each sentence is a treasure and I wish she would write more. But I guess that’s not gonna happen since these were written so long ago. I love this book and re-read it every three or four years. It never disappoints.

[Virginia Stapleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another treasure

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://catoverlord.blogspot.com/2012/...