Monday, June 13, 2011

The Sweetest Thing.... a book review

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The Sweetest Thing

Elizabeth Musser has just written another best seller!

Set in Atlanta, during the Great Depression of the 1930s,  we step into the lives of Anne "Perri" Singleton and Mary Dobbs Dillard. 

Anne Perri: "family seemingly untouched by the Depression, the camaraderie of friends at an exclusive Atlanta girls' school, and an enviable social life."

Mary Dobbs Dillard: "the passionate and fiercely individualist daughter of an itinerant minister," a family who lives in poverty along with those to whom they minister.

Perri and her mother ride with Aunt Josie to pick Mary Dobbs up from the train station.  As the girls meet, their differences shine through.  Perri feels that Mary Dobbs is a "strange person" who is a bit dramatic... not to mention her "potato-sack dress;"  Mary Dobbs knew that Anne Perri didn't like her or her ailment called poverty.

After the group returns to Aunt Josie's home, Perri and her mother continue home.  Expecting to find her father in his study, Perri goes looking for him.  As soon as she steps into the stable, she finds her father...
                   
                        hanging from the rafter...
                                                                        dead.

A father's death, stolen items from numerous wealthy homes, the innocent sent to The Alms Houses until repayment could be made, and budding romances all bring this poignant story to life.  The Depression wasn't just about the banks closing; it is about the resilience of the human spirit 'to get up and get on' with life. 

Through the pain of death, a friendship is born.  One that "will be tested by jealousy, betrayal, and family secrets."  As the story unfolds, we see the Spirit working, first through Dobbs, and then through others.

The Sweetest Thing gives the reader an intimate look into the lives of people during the Depression.  It wasn't  just a time in history; it helped shape a generation.  When we learn about this time period, it is just facts and dates.  Through historical fiction, we can feel and see how regular people not only survived the Depression, but lived through it to show the love of Christ to all.

Click HERE to read Chapter 1!

Thank you, Elizabeth Musser, for writing a moving story and bringing this time period alive!  I loved this book and was able to get a glimpse into the life of "real people" during the Great Depression.

Star Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of The Sweetest Thing from Bethany House Publisher for my honest review.


      

2 comments:

  1. Even if you had not said anything else about this book, I was won over by the cover. After reading your review, i am convinced it would be one of my favorites. thank you for sharing... Looks like a lovely read.

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  2. Reading historical fiction is definitely one of my favorite ways to make history come alive. We read a lot of historical fiction in our homeschooling. This looks like a great book for the Depression era. Thanks for letting us know about it! Visiting from HHH. Deb @ LivingMontessoriNow.com

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