From the Bookshelf of The Little Book that Could...…

The Tobacco Wives

Adele Myers

Start date: August 1, 2022

Finish date: October 31, 2022

Discussion: The Shelves - 3rd month

Why we're reading this: August 1 thru October 31 2022
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The Shelves - 3rd month

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Folder #3 Flags on the Bayou, by James Lee Burke 100% Completed
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Oct 14, 2022 ♥ Sandi ❣ rated it really liked it

Shelves: family, social-issues, z2022-3500-books, historical-history, debut, southern-lit

4 stars

I was not going to give this a 4 star rating - but something much less. That was not because I felt the author did a bad job or that the writing was not good - because as far as the author and writing I very much liked the book. My reason for a lower rating was because of the money grubbing bastards in the tobacco industry. However the author brought out such a strong reaction in me about this drug trade that I felt even though I had a negative reaction, she was due a good rating. Therefo 4 stars

I was not going to give this a 4 star rating - but something much less. That was not because I felt the author did a bad job or that the writing was not good - because as far as the author and writing I very much liked the book. My reason for a lower rating was because of the money grubbing bastards in the tobacco industry. However the author brought out such a strong reaction in me about this drug trade that I felt even though I had a negative reaction, she was due a good rating. Therefore a 4 star book.

The story of a young girl, raised by a narcissistic mother, who dumps her on her aunt. From prior years of visits Maddie had picked up the craft of her aunts sewing. Luckily she had, for when the aunt becomes ill Maddie must carry on the tradition of making the gowns for the elite women in town - the Tobacco Wives. As the story progresses, we learn that cigarette executives and stupid doctors are pushing the addiction of cigarettes to line their pockets, all the time knowing that cigarettes are bad for the health of people.

Most of this story takes place in the 1940's and the addiction of cigarettes as a health problem is known by few but not shared with the public. The story ends in the 1990's, just as changes are taking place.

This story riled me up. I put up with my parents smoking for twenty years, unable to get away from it and hating every minute of it. They believed the vile, foul lies told by cigarette companies. I hated being unable to eat a nice meal in public without the next booth or table "lighting up". I am so happy that we have had changes that will allow my grandchildren to be free of inhaling second hand smoke. I also mourn the hundreds of thousands of people addicted to this filthy habit. The lives lost to sickness and death due to their addiction. To say nothing of the expense - and where that money could have easily made a greater difference.

So even though my reaction to this story was as effusive as it was, I think the author deserves the 4 star rating for making me feel as I did. ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Sep 03, 2023 🩶 April • A.M. Flynn • 🩶 marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jul 25, 2022 Jess Penhallow marked it as to-read

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