Low Country

Here's something I love about ARS - her writing is real. So real it can't help but strike a chord in the reader somewhere.
The villain in this book was Caro's husband. A man she adored and had spent most of her life with. He wasn't an evil, terrible husband. He loved her. He nurtured her. He knew her. But he was still "the bad guy."
Don't you think it's delicious when an author is so real they can make the "evil one" human? It is rare to find someone that is all bad, so when an author sets out to create an antagonist and they make them wholly despicable, it's almost like a caricature. Not so with ARS. She's a master. Truly.
Caroline has lived in the South Carolina lowcountry since she married her husband, Clay. They have raised two show more children there and made it their home. Clay is a real-estate developer and has made his living taking prime properties and making them into manicured mansion dwellings. Caro inherited an island (an entire island!) just off the coast of S.C. from her grandfather and it is her sanctuary. As well as a sanctuary for the Gullah inhabitants who call it home.
Clay finds himself between a rock and a hard place and sets out to - secretly - develop the mystical haven that nurtures Caro. A nightmare. A betrayal. The only way out.
I'm not going to spoil the end of this story. But it is right. It is beautiful. show less

I've read several Anne Rivers Siddons' novels over the years and they have never disappointed. I really enjoyed "Low Country". Ms. Siddons did her usual wonderful job of providing her readers with a solid plot, interesting characters and a setting that she describes in such a way, that makes you feel you were actually there! "Low County" follows the main character, Caroline "Caro" Venable, through the ups and downs of her seemingly perfect, charmed life on Peacock's Island on St. Helena's Sound. She has everything that she had hoped for: money, prestige, and a powerful husband. However, she finds herself struggling with her endless routine of country club luncheons, cocktail parties and being expected to host her husband's wealthy show more friends, clients, associates and employees. Caro finds herself drinking too much and still mourning the untimely death of her daughter Kylie. Her heart and passion is the Lowcountry island that her grandfather left her. However, her husband, Clay, is in dire straights financially and is asking her to sell her beloved island to save his company. This shocking realization is tearing them apart. Will they be able to survive this next chapter in their lives? show less

Reading this while on Kiawah Island which is off the coast of SC made the descriptions so right on about this island resort area and nearby Charleston. The main character, Caro, describes living in these surroundings in such a way that I felt like she could have been someone here. Unfortunately the way she dealt with the death of her daughter and her husband's attitude toward her love of her island became more unrealistic as the story progressed.

Caroline Venable is the quintessential Southern Belle. Her southern heritage has also afforded her money, prestige, a powerful husband - and a predictable routine of country club luncheons, cocktail parties and dinners hosting her husband's wealthy friends, clients and associates in his successful land-developing conglomerate.

To escape her stifling routine, Caro drinks a little too much. But her true solace is found in Peacock's Island - the Lowcountry island her beloved Grandaddy left her - an oasis of breathtaking beauty that is home to a herd of wild ponies. When Caro learns that her husband must develop the island or lose his business, she is devastated. Peacock's Island and the Lowcountry is Caro's heritage - and what will happen show more to the ponies whose wild spirit and freedom have captivated her since childhood?

Saving the island could cost Caroline more than she ever imagined. To succeed, she must confront the part of herself numbed by alcohol and careful avoidance - and shatter long-held ideals about her role in society, her marriage, and ultimately, herself.

I have to say that while I did enjoy reading this book, it was not really as captivating as I hoped that it might be for me. I thought that the plot was a little too contrived for my liking. I still enjoyed this book enough to give it an A! show less

Was very refreshing to read a story where drink does not win, adultery is not mentioned, and a marriage going through MANY hardships can still stay intact and strong. I applaud Siddons for honoring the institution of marriage so respectfully. Plus, a good story to bat.

Moving story of a woman who struggles to regain some sense of normalacy after her daughter is tragically killed in a boating accident. Full of memorable characters and a reminder that life is precious.

This was my first book by this author. Let me put it this way "I felt joy and peace flood into my heart like an artesian well."p272 - OUCH! I guess I'm just not cut out for "Women's (Chick) Fiction (Lit). But... I did read the whole book, so I guess it wasn't THAT bad. just beware - it was like the Lifetime For Women Channel (which I have never watched) in print. Just not "my cup of tea."