Plantation

A contemporary novel that takes place in South Carolina. Enough southern charm to bring a smile and feel at home. All the happenings of every day life; birth, death, love, divorce, family and ghosts. Any novel that makes you giggle while sad at the same time is a winner.
#contemporary novel

Although I was not impressed with Caroline while she was in NY - just accepting her husband's behavior upset me, her reaction to her son. Loved her sense of humor and really got to like her after going back home to SC. Truly loved Miss Lavinia, her mother, with her thoughts on life, her supportive friends, and came to understand her behavior towards her children. Enjoyed supporting characters such as Millie with her Gullah ways, sister-in-law's crazy comments, and the several guys that wanted her but Caroline ultimately makes good decisions.

As a fan of Dorothea Benton Frank, SC Lowcountry and queen of the south, I have read a few of her newer releases and missed some of the oldies but goodies, so playing catch up. I love the reprints and new e-books, with the new high resolution attractive front covers, which are nice to display on your reading list instead of the old outdated covers. (Nice job with Sullivan’s Island-Lowcountry Tales #1 and Plantation – Lowcountry Tales #2), as read them back to back.

Dorothea definitely speaks the language, knows the southeast, and connects beautifully with the middle aged woman (myself included), full of humor and sass. Plantation is a contemporary romance and an endearing heartfelt story, exploring the dynamics of family within the show more beautiful Lowcountry SC area.

Caroline Wimbley has fled to Manhattan to get away from her mother and the Lowcountry, marries (Richard), and has a son (Eric) with learning disabilities. When she gets the news her mother, Miss Lavinia has gone made she returns to SC to Tall Pines Plantation.

When she left the south years early it was to escape her eccentric mother and her drunken brother, Trip. When Lavinia dies, Caroline has to face her family dysfunction and troubled past, as well as her own marriage. Plantation goes back and forth Caroline’s point of view and journal entries by Miss Lavinia.

There are some strong mother/daughter dynamics and always some entertaining tales of families which are separated by distance and time and issues of taking care of aging and eccentric parents (which baby boomers are now experiencing), and rediscovery.

Frank knows her history and was reflective in the Gullah Low Country life of this plantation full of secrets as one discovers their own heritage and inner self. I enjoyed it more than the first in the series as you will laugh and cry, and so loved Miss Lavinia, full of humor and spunk.

Full of topics such as gambling, infidelity, wealth, marriage issues, parenting, and independence, with a well written and endearing story, with rich well developed characters.

If you love Pat Conroy and Anne Rivers Siddons, you will love Dorothea Benton Frank. Would also urge readers to read her newer books as well. Looking forward to reading her latest novel The Hurricane Sisters, coming June, 2014.

Love Frank’s quote: “ I have always thought that librarians are a little bit like doctors, travel agents and professors all rolled into one. We all know that a great story can lift spirits, take you anywhere in the world you want to go and in any time period to boot, and the lessons you learn from a good book can buoy your own convictions and even change your life. ” ― Dorothea Benton Frank

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I don’t k ow what these types of books are classified as, maybe Chick-Lit southern style, but this authors books are immensely enjoyable.
Caroline escapes her family and all the southern traditions and ways and heads to NYC. Marries Richard her professor and starts a new life in New York. But the south and her family aren’t finished with her.
This was a great book.

Not unlike her other stories, Plantation pulls you into the heart and soul of this old southern family. You begin to understand the importance and healing powers of "home". It is a enjoyable, easy read that leaves you with warm feelings for the main characters and the hope that they continue to do well after our part of the story is over.

I liked it better than Sullivan's Island because I felt the story progressed a bit better. I am finding an unlikely amount of love interests in her stories. It seems that every man these women meet just about fall in love with them and no one ever really seems angry when the romance fizzles. And they are always so friendly with each other. No hurt feelings or jealousy. Seems a bit unrealistic to me, but it was a cute, feel good story none-the-less.

I enjoyed her writing and the storyline. It was romantic, mystical, sad, and funny at different times