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Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
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Holli
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May 15, 2010 07:38AM
This discussion will be led by LizH
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Good morning all! So far, with 30 books read this year, this book is my favorite read, and will probably be in my top 10 of all time. For me, the setting, the characters and the story are all so beautifully written, it is a treasure. I just had face-to-face book club meeting with this book, and the author Beth Hoffman called us. It was a great evening! I will see if she has some time to pop in on this discussion and say hello!
Oh, and even though I read it back in Febraury, I plan on reading it again with all of you. Happy reading!
Oh, and I feel that we shouldn't necessarily put a "schedule" on this particular read. I have had friends read it in one setting and I have had friends take a few weeks. So feel free to read at your own pace, but thinking we should be able to finish it by June 1?
This book reads like a hot knife through butter! I started it two days ago and have a few more chapters left! I'm really looking forward to discussing it! It was/is a gem!
I totally agree! This book reminded me why I love to read! Hope everyone enjoys it!
I can tell I may be the outcast in this one... I read it and while the writing was good, the story just wasn't that remarkable to me...Okay, let the bashing begin ;-) At least this'll make for an interesting discussion!
No, no bashing! I really identified with CeeCee as a small child. I could feel her pain about wanting things to be normal for her, and wished I had an aunt that would have rescued me. Books speak to different people for different reasons. Thanks for sharing!
I did feel bad for her in the beginning, and I actually thought she had a lot of courage to deal with things the way she did. It was around the time that her aunt picked her up that I started to have some issues. It all just seemed so perfect. It was a sweet story though, and I liked a lot of the characters. (I don't want to say too much more in case people haven't finished yet.)Does Beth Hoffman have anything else in the works that any one is aware of? I'd be interested to read more by her, since this is after all her debut novel.
I know she is busy with a lot of book tour stuff, but hopes to be writing soon.
I'd like to share some of my favorite quotes from the book..."Life don't wait for nobody, and even as special as you are, it ain't gonna wait for you, neither. So it's time to make up your mind that you're gonna join it." --Oletta Jones
"Oysters are a lot like women. It's how we survive the hurts in life that brings us strength and gives us our beauty." --Camille Sugarbaker Honeycutt
Mod
I liked the book a lot I do see how some of the pieces have been done in other books especially southern lit books (like Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Life of Bees) but like those books it was a good read.
The one thing I really appreciated is that even though it surrounded mostly around the women in the story there was no male bashing. I hate it when books primarily about women have to at the same time have all the men be scum. I was glad that wasnt the case here.
Tera wrote: "This book read like a movie to me. I can totally see this being made into a movie. I liked the book a lot I do see how some of the pieces have been done in other books especially southern lit b..."
Oh, good point Tera! That is a nice change - her dad wasn't the best, but they didn't beat that subject to death.
I definitely did not feel sorry for Dad. I did, however, feel the need for forgiveness toward him. CeeCee's life turned so fast in such a sweet way... her bitterness toward him being such an evil seed in her life that needed to be plucked. But... feel sorry for him? Absolutely not... he was a loser through and through.
I think Beth portrayed him in a correct light given the time period. Men back then didn't know how to deal with family issues like that. Men were the bread winners and came home to children that were seen and not heard. I am glad that times have changed, but we can't hold the men of that era to todays standards, but having grown up in that time period and with a father who was similar, (salesman) I know it was easier to just go do your job than deal with the family problems.
I just started the book and have reached page 18. So far, I like it. Am planning to finish a major portion tomorrow. I am looking forward to spending time with CeeCee.
I started this book last night and finished it this morning. It might not have been super original, but it was enchanting. I sobbed through the first chapters, and then just lived with CeeCee when she finally found some happiness. I loved that the character didn't just shrug off her mother's death, as a young character might have done in a novel with less depth. I liked this a little better than The Help just because it left me with more of sense of comfort and hope.
I too liked it better than The Help, and for those same reasons. I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for sharing!
CeeCee was a beautifully written and enchanting read for me. Uplifting and inspiring. A quick read and just what I needed at the time. (I read & finished it in April for a different group read). I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to more from Beth in the future (as this was her 1st novel, for those who don't know). The garden talk was my favorite and what I connected to most as well as having to reclaim your power. It also had me thinking about when my love of reading started as a child though I don't remember a time when I didn't read or love reading, (I started before kindergarten according to my Mom). Two of my favorite quotes were:
"...it occurred to me that that's what friends should do: cherish the good and pretend not to notice the harmless rest."
"I was in the middle of an accidental kind of happiness that made me grateful for having a nose."
I also read the book in Feb/March and loved it. I don't know that I enjoyed it more or less than The Help, it was different. I am a born and raised southerner and love books about the south. While reading this book I was taken back to my own youth in the 60's and 70's, where I did and didn't fit in. I loved how the women helped her grow up, imagine if all young women had those role models. I've exchanged a few emails with Beth Hoffman, she is so very kind!!
I look forward to more discussion.
I just love this book. Am on page 100 - am going a bit slow as I like to read and re-read the sentences that inspire me. I really loved the quotes regarding - 'beginning of each chapter of life'..... and all of us having an inner fire within us which we have to reclaim and enact upon-----. Currently I have reached the bit about the purple cushioned sofa. I would acutely feel the loss once I finish this book, and the succeeding book will be in a difficult position of having to compete against this one.
I loved this book for many of the same reasons everyone else did. I thought it was enchanting (great word) and uplifting. It was refreshing to read a book where a young girl could have a terrible young childhood, but ended up being "saved" by a loving family member, rather than ending up on drugs, rock bottom, and having to drag herself up out of the abyss. Not that those types of stories aren't real and compelling...but, a change of pace is so nice sometimes. It broke my heart about her poor mother. And, I am with the crowd of us that has some sympathy for the dad. Yeah, he was a jerk, but he was the type of jerk that was normal for that time period. Thank goodness for CeeCee that he was smart (scared? selfish) enough to hand her over to her aunt. The best thing he could have done for her, which shows that he did at least think about her well being to some extent.I also loved the Southern aspect. I would love to spend a day in the south with CeeCee and her family.
Lastly, I think this book is totally appropriate for young adults as well, and I am going to pass it along to my daughter.
Anita, I'm a Northerner by birth but my soul must be Southern or I was a Southerner in another life! lol Southern Lit is my favorite genre of all time and I just love it more & more all the time. My Aunt borrowed CeeCee from me the last time she visited because she's been wanting to read it.
I really loved this book as well. It was a refreshing, positive read. I loved the descriptions of the gardens, the houses, the people...everything. It was a magical story!
That's another reason I love southern lit, the descriptions of food are amazing!
I didn't read too many of the posts (in case there were spoilers) but I think you've all inspired me to read this book next! Sounds like I'll get through it quick which is what I'm looking for right now!
Mod
Lol Tera!
I didn't realize there was a question about spoilers. It's always assumed that there will be spoilers in a thread and to participate/read through the thread at your own risk. Discuss away!
I was thinking the same thing Brenda. In the past, weren't there two threads; one for people still reading, and one that allows spoilers?
There used to be 2 threads when we did only 1 book a month. Now that there are 2 books a month, most seem to do only 1 thread per read so it doesn't get confusing.
Finished the book. Am feeling happy and enlightened after reading it. To me this book seems like an ocean of wisdom, to dip in from time to time. I wont forget CeeCee or her group of elderly friends for a long time to come.
Mod
Mod
Smitha, I felt the same way when I finished!They seem a little bland Tera but with some (raspberry) preserves or apple butter or regular butter or even drizzled with honey, I'll bet they're good! Perhaps one of us should make them and let us know! :-)
I wondered about those biscuits, too. Beaten? Well, maybe they ate them more with sausage gravy.What touched me was when her friend from Ohio came and stayed for a visit and was welcomed so warmly by everybody.
The "bra" pictures and stunt really made me laugh.
I liked the bra mischeif. It was fun, and it was great seeing that awful woman squirm because of it! This actually might have been one of my favorite parts of the book because it was so quirky and silly.
So glad so many of you are enjoying the book. I loved the bra mischief also, and really loved how the women in the book just accepted each other and became friends, regardless of the many things we tend to judge people on.
What made me laugh was the neighbors Ms. Goodpepper & Ms. Hobbs. The fight at the end when Ms. Goodpepper told Ms. Hobbs, "That the closest that she has ever been to church is when she's screaming OH God! from her bed"I just about choked, I was laughing so hard.
Hello All, I would love to get my hands on this book. I've heard/read so much about it for months now. If any one is willing and/or able to list on "swap" when finished, please let me know as I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!
Rona
Tera wrote: "This book read like a movie to me. I can totally see this being made into a movie. I liked the book a lot I do see how some of the pieces have been done in other books especially southern lit b..."
Tera,
Here is my favorite quote from the book. "All I knew for sure was this: I had been plunked into a strange, perfumed world that, as far as I could tell, seemed to be run entirely by women."
I think the reason I like this quote so much is exactly what you described. It creates an image of women as great role models without portraying men in a negative way.
When I first starting reading this book I was almost certain that I was going to rate it four stars. At the end I only rated it three stars. The writing was nice, it was a delightful read and a sweet story. Even though those things are true, I still feel like the book fell a little short for me. I really enjoyed the characters in the book, and CeeCee was actually my least favorite! By the end of the book I did want to be friends with Oletta! I absolutely loved her, she was a joy. I also enjoyed the descriptions of where CeeCee was living. I think I am meant to be a southern girl, but I am stuck in California. So to me, the book was alright. It was fine to read. I think if it were made into a movie it would be something that I would enjoy! Oh... and I also really enjoyed the bra part of the book. That was too funny. I loved when Oletta sent out the letter. :)
Hanna... where in Cali are you? I am a Southern Girl at heart and am in California too (Agoura Hills)... I love California but story's like this make me want to get back to my southern roots.
I live in Riverside County. It is right in between San Diego and Los Angeles. I absolutely love California but I dream of moving to the south/mid-west after college.
Brenda wrote: "I think I liked it so much because it was a sweet story, and the writing was lyrical, but like anything it does have its shortcomings. I can see what you mean as well. I rated it a 5 because I ju..."I think the sweetness and how perfect everything seemed is what kinda ruined it for me - instead of feeling uplifted, I kept waiting for something seriously bad to happen and then to be fixed. I guess it just seems to be missing a climax-point, which I'm used to in novels.
Sarah wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I think I liked it so much because it was a sweet story, and the writing was lyrical, but like anything it does have its shortcomings. I can see what you mean as well. I rated it a..."I agree! I forgot to mention that in the comment I wrote... I definitely thought that the novel was "too perfect". Towards the ending I was waiting and waiting for something to happen. Nothing happened! I feel there was definitely no climax.
I just started reading this book and am only on chapter 3, but I DO NOT feel sorry for the father!!!!! At all!!!He is basically leaving his daughter by herself all day and night and not even acknowledging the problem! What a spineless man! He should be carring for his daughter and instead he is chasing a women (or so it seems right now). I honestly don't know how a women could feel sorry for this man!
I love this book so incredibly much! I need my own copy of it! I agree with Jo--I may be a Northerner, but I must have a Southerner's soul or something because I loved this book and I'm a huge fan of Southern Lit!
I am about halfway through the book now and am loving it! This book makes me laugh so much! It is a great little story so far and being from Georgia makes it even sweeter!
Brenda wrote: "I do not feel sorry for the father either, but having grown up in that area, I understand that fathers are not the fathers they are now. they didn't get involved and they were certainly not Ward C..."You have a good point, Brenda. I didn't feel sorry for him either, but it might have been different in that day and age, especially having to deal with a wife who was suffering from a mental disorder, since they didn't seem to know as much about them then.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning his actions at all! He still makes me mad just to think of him.
Does anyone else think that it was probably hard for him to take care of and relate to his daughter? I guess what I'm trying to say is that he kinda strikes me as one of those guys who would have an easier time with a son than a daughter. I know not every dad is like that--I'm really close with my dad. But he just came across to me as one of those men who just really don't know anything about girls.
