Sweetgrass

Plodding melodrama bogged down by each characters lethargic reminiscence of earlier days that would have been better, could have been better"if only". If you've read the editor's review, you don't need to read the story, it's all been said, and much less painfully.

This is the story of a family complete with devastating secrets, betrayal, hope, redemption and renewal. Though these themes are common among what we readers term "southern fiction" rarely is it done so well as it is done in this book. Mary Alice Monroe follows in the footsteps, as do many of her contemporaries, of the great Pat Conroy and while her books do not attain that level of excellence she is certainly a gifted storyteller and talented writer who deserves the attention of those readers looking for a truly good book. Readers who have enjoyed Anne Rivers Siddons or Dorothea Benton Frank will find comfort and solace with Mary Alice Monroe.

Sweetgrass tells the story of the Blakely family and their lives at their plantation aptly named Sweetgrass. Their lives are interwoven with the Bennett family who once worked as slaves on that plantation, then became employees and now are companions to the family they once served. This is also the story of the power of matriarchs, for while the story centers on prodigal son Morgan and his quest to keep the family land from the hands of developers the story really belongs to the women. Mama June, Nona, and Adele drive this story and it belongs to them. I found that the female characters were much more realized than the males. The one thing that bothered me was the constant reference to Mama June and Nona age 66 and 69 respectively as old, matronly or elderly while Adele, aged 66, is not described in such terms. Just me, but I found this bothersome.

The descriptions of sewing Sweetgrass baskets was a nice touch and for those of us fortunate enough to own and value these pieces of art they were like a breath of fresh air. Sweetgrass baskets are very real and every bit as beautiful and unique as described in the novel.

All in all, I heartily recommend this book to one and all.

In a small southern town, a family must fight against rising taxes, encroaching developers, devastating illness and their own demons to face themselves - and each other - and find long-needed forgiveness.

Acclaimed bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe ("Skyward," "The Beach House"), an active conservationist, also weaves into her tender plot and deftly-drawn characters a gentle message about preservation. A lyrical tale of reconciliation and redemption, set against the backdrop of South Carolina's lowcountry.

In this book Mary Alice Monroe tells us all about losing the land we love. How money, illness and greed has destroyed our farms and land. The low country is featured in this book. It along with beautiful land all over our once beautiful country is dissapearing so fast, it's here one day and gone tomorrow. That's what happens to the Blakely family when the elder father has a stroke. What do they do now? Can they afford to keep the land that developers would love to get their hands on. This a book about love of that land and family. About hanging on by your fingernails and making baskets, one at a time, slowly and lovingly. It's about preserving our heritage and fighting for what's most dear to us. Very good book. The story gives us an even greater lesson then we realize unless we take the time to look at our shrinking lowlands.

ANOTHER WONDERFUL BOOK FROM MARY ALICE MONROE! I HOPE SHE KEEPS THEM COMING.
ENDEARING,MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU REALLY KNOW THE PEOPLE.

Great read. In keeping with Monroe's fine writing style, this book is also another of her 'relax and read' kind of books. Most enjoyable.

Excellent book - you could smell the saltmarsh and feel all the emotions of every character; it was like being there. Can't wait for the next book from Mary Alice Monroe!