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jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
3.0
I would say that Bound South is a group of connected short stories. There's not really one plot that connects the chapters. Instead, I would say that the author uses these stories, told from the points of view of three different Southern ladies, to explore issues they each face and how hard it can be to move past them, even when they try.
I thought the author did a fantastic job giving each character her own voice. With each story being written in first person, it was very important that she get this right and she did. Louise, the upper-class society matron who holds some surprising views; Caroline, her teenage daughter who is constantly seeking; and Missy, their housekeeper's daughter who tries to hold tight to religion in an increasingly sinful world. Each told her own story in her own way and had something to contribute to the story.
At times funny, sometimes sad, and always thought-provoking, some of the issues the women face are the obvious, such as race, sexual orientation/identity, poverty, religion, and a middle-aged woman's constantly shifting role in her children's lives. Some of the others are not so obvious, such as the surprising directions exploitation can come from, stupid choices that can affect your whole life, how sometimes you're not the only one who carries the weight of your sins, and how hard it is to watch your children make mistakes. But these women face each challenge as it comes, do the best they can, and try to learn from it.
I loved this passage, as Louise is thinking about her daughter:
"How do I tell her that what I want is to know her, to know the woman who made these birds, to see what she might become if she is allowed to spread out, to expand. How do I say, Darling, please. Don't shrink yourself so soon." (Emphasis is the author's)
But I like to feel a connection to the characters I'm reading about and that never happened for me in this book. I loved that I was forced to think about my own beliefs and values, but I did miss that connection. That's why I only gave it three stars. But readers who don't mind that and who want to see what a Southern woman has to say about some current issues, should pick this up.
I thought the author did a fantastic job giving each character her own voice. With each story being written in first person, it was very important that she get this right and she did. Louise, the upper-class society matron who holds some surprising views; Caroline, her teenage daughter who is constantly seeking; and Missy, their housekeeper's daughter who tries to hold tight to religion in an increasingly sinful world. Each told her own story in her own way and had something to contribute to the story.
At times funny, sometimes sad, and always thought-provoking, some of the issues the women face are the obvious, such as race, sexual orientation/identity, poverty, religion, and a middle-aged woman's constantly shifting role in her children's lives. Some of the others are not so obvious, such as the surprising directions exploitation can come from, stupid choices that can affect your whole life, how sometimes you're not the only one who carries the weight of your sins, and how hard it is to watch your children make mistakes. But these women face each challenge as it comes, do the best they can, and try to learn from it.
I loved this passage, as Louise is thinking about her daughter:
"How do I tell her that what I want is to know her, to know the woman who made these birds, to see what she might become if she is allowed to spread out, to expand. How do I say, Darling, please. Don't shrink yourself so soon." (Emphasis is the author's)
But I like to feel a connection to the characters I'm reading about and that never happened for me in this book. I loved that I was forced to think about my own beliefs and values, but I did miss that connection. That's why I only gave it three stars. But readers who don't mind that and who want to see what a Southern woman has to say about some current issues, should pick this up.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! Susan Rebecca White has become my new top favorite author! BOUND SOUTH was so compelling and kept me laughing and entertained until the wee hours of the morning!
Being I am from the south (Carolinas) and spent my career living in Atlanta in the media industry and she was right on about stereotypes, old pretenses and the way they hide their true feelings.
Each of the main three characters was authentic and loved the first person narrative from each perspective. Wow, family secrets, scandals, and lots of humor and plenty of growth from the characters. I really started loving Louise by the end and would love to see a sequel as want to hear more from Missy and her dad and the possible connection to this family. Great writing!!!
I also love the tidbits of Atlanta as lived on Biscayne Drive off Peachtree in a high-rise (south of Peachtree Battle area) and could walk to Houston’s on Peachtree where she mentions as their place for celebration at the end of the book to praise her mother-in-law’s life. Love Ansley Park and makes me want to move back (since I now reside in South Florida). Sure miss the Silver Comet Bike Trail!
I would encourage readers to read all her books – I loved her latest – “A Place at the Table” (excellent). It has been some time since I read “A Soft Place to Land’ so may need to re-read. Looking forward to much more from this author!
Being I am from the south (Carolinas) and spent my career living in Atlanta in the media industry and she was right on about stereotypes, old pretenses and the way they hide their true feelings.
Each of the main three characters was authentic and loved the first person narrative from each perspective. Wow, family secrets, scandals, and lots of humor and plenty of growth from the characters. I really started loving Louise by the end and would love to see a sequel as want to hear more from Missy and her dad and the possible connection to this family. Great writing!!!
I also love the tidbits of Atlanta as lived on Biscayne Drive off Peachtree in a high-rise (south of Peachtree Battle area) and could walk to Houston’s on Peachtree where she mentions as their place for celebration at the end of the book to praise her mother-in-law’s life. Love Ansley Park and makes me want to move back (since I now reside in South Florida). Sure miss the Silver Comet Bike Trail!
I would encourage readers to read all her books – I loved her latest – “A Place at the Table” (excellent). It has been some time since I read “A Soft Place to Land’ so may need to re-read. Looking forward to much more from this author!
sjj169's review against another edition
3.0
Told from the point of view of 3 very different women. This book started off with a wonderful first chapter that seemed to me disjointed from the rest of the book. I did end up enjoying the book but it left me feeling like I didn't totally "get" what I should have from the story. I did love the descriptions of Atlanta.
dja777's review against another edition
3.0
This was an okay read but nothing stupendous. I did like the way she wove the three narrators' stories together.
kkersting's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly good - covers a lot of interesting topics while having a good story.
karak's review against another edition
3.0
Good, very southern. Apparently the second book in a series. I'll probably pick up the first at some point.
scorpstar77's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up after hearing the author read from it at the Virginia Festival of the Book. Her description of it at that reading felt like it was equally about three characters whose lives were all tied together, but really, I think this is Louise's story. Her daughter, Caroline, and her housekeeper's daughter, Missy, also have stories to be told during the book, but Louise is the tie that binds. She has the most chapters in the book written from her perspective, and she is the character who experiences the most real growth. So I'm going to talk about her last.
Missy's story is the most concise. She's a teenager living in a poor area outside of Atlanta. Her mom has been working for Louise Parker for as long as she can remember, and Louise is kind to her, like a second (wealthy) mother. Her dad abandoned them when she was a small child, and she has hoping for him to come back and have a relationship with her ever since. She finally gets the chance to meet him when she finds out he's starring in a Christian drama on public access out of North Carolina, and she goes on a road trip with Louise's son, Charles, to find him. She finds out the truth about her dad, so she can let him go, and also goes through an experience that will change her life forever.
Caroline is the rebellious wild child of the Parker family. She's the oldest child and has been openly defiant of her mother's proper Southern ladylike ideals since she was five years old. She won't eat, dress, talk, or act in any way befitting her heritage and stature. She and her mother are constantly battling over everything, until she gets caught in a compromising position with her teacher. Then she runs off to San Francisco with her teacher, and their relationship is remarkably improved by the distance. She explores her desires and passions, works in the local theatre community, gets in and out of a bad marriage, gains a lot of weight and finally ends up with someone suited to her. In other words, she grows up. And it's a nice growing up story, but not ground-breaking.
Then there is Louise. Bizarre, struggling, complicated, proper Louise. Her entire adult life has been structured around being a good wife and mother and a wonderful hostess and friend. She believes in being polite at all costs and serving delicious food. The one thing she does for herself is buy folk art. She doesn't care what anyone else thinks of the art she buys; she just buys what she responds to emotionally and intellectually. Her daughter moves out, her son announces he's gay, her husband shares that he thinks his twin brother who committed suicide while they were in college was gay, she turns her house into an art gallery a few times a month, she smokes weed for the first time with her daughter in California, she lets an artist take a photo of her lady parts...and she generally lets go and becomes herself. And becomes happy. Hers is by far the most detailed and interesting transformation.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm a total Southern lit junkie, as most of you know, and this is right up my alley.
Missy's story is the most concise. She's a teenager living in a poor area outside of Atlanta. Her mom has been working for Louise Parker for as long as she can remember, and Louise is kind to her, like a second (wealthy) mother. Her dad abandoned them when she was a small child, and she has hoping for him to come back and have a relationship with her ever since. She finally gets the chance to meet him when she finds out he's starring in a Christian drama on public access out of North Carolina, and she goes on a road trip with Louise's son, Charles, to find him. She finds out the truth about her dad, so she can let him go, and also goes through an experience that will change her life forever.
Caroline is the rebellious wild child of the Parker family. She's the oldest child and has been openly defiant of her mother's proper Southern ladylike ideals since she was five years old. She won't eat, dress, talk, or act in any way befitting her heritage and stature. She and her mother are constantly battling over everything, until she gets caught in a compromising position with her teacher. Then she runs off to San Francisco with her teacher, and their relationship is remarkably improved by the distance. She explores her desires and passions, works in the local theatre community, gets in and out of a bad marriage, gains a lot of weight and finally ends up with someone suited to her. In other words, she grows up. And it's a nice growing up story, but not ground-breaking.
Then there is Louise. Bizarre, struggling, complicated, proper Louise. Her entire adult life has been structured around being a good wife and mother and a wonderful hostess and friend. She believes in being polite at all costs and serving delicious food. The one thing she does for herself is buy folk art. She doesn't care what anyone else thinks of the art she buys; she just buys what she responds to emotionally and intellectually. Her daughter moves out, her son announces he's gay, her husband shares that he thinks his twin brother who committed suicide while they were in college was gay, she turns her house into an art gallery a few times a month, she smokes weed for the first time with her daughter in California, she lets an artist take a photo of her lady parts...and she generally lets go and becomes herself. And becomes happy. Hers is by far the most detailed and interesting transformation.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm a total Southern lit junkie, as most of you know, and this is right up my alley.
tderby's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the development of characters and how the storyline engages each character yet keeps them as individuals.
bookhoarder76's review
2.0
If you know me at all you know I HATE to put a book in the DNF pile but this one is going in there faster than you can blink! I gave it a good honest try and read almost a third of it but after looking at reviews (which I tend to not do prior to starting a book because everybody is different) and seeing that they are pretty much saying the same thing as I was feeling I decided enough time wasted! Giving it 2 stars since I liked ONE character (the mother Louise) and chapter 1. The first chapter was my favorite then it just all went down hill from there! It was VERY confusing the way it was written and at times I wondered if it was written by two totally different people the chapters were so vastly different. I was bored out of my mind more times than not and the youngest main character Missy got on my last nerve. I just can't take it I'm done time to move on. First and possibly last book by Susan Rebecca White for me.
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