Oh dear. I'm sure the author had good intentions, appears he knocked himself out with research and what he considers authenticity. Particularly irritating is his use of very short sentences (almost dumb sounding) and scattered thought patterns to indicate 'reality.' Having read a diary or two from the era I don't think it's an appropriate text style for a novel. He's mistaken what women jotted down about how many loads of laundry were done Tuesday for the voice they would use to tell their innermost thoughts and hopes. Unfortunately there's not a real character in the book and barely a thought beyond survival in style. Our heroine spends the entire endless tome trying to find money. I had an urge to shout 'snap out of it' in "Moonstruck" style and send her into the streets in search of a boyfriend. We have no idea of her looks, education, or world view - other than Polites belief that women of that era were 'sheltered.' All the old southern horrors are trotted out: political graft, sexual abuse of slaves, war hunger, peculiar manners. People are wanting to escape to Kansas for God's sake! The ending was overblown and tacked on quickly as though to make up for the pages and pages of wallowing in blood fever, blue bottle drugs, and repressed sexuality. My sincere hope is that the departing servant doesn't return and get sucked back into the life of this boring, boring woman.

Share/Like this Review?

This is an intriguing story about a woman who tries to piece her life back together following the unexpected death of her husband. Prior to his passing she occupied herself with the inane comings and goings of most southern women who lived lives void of any controversy other than what to wear to the latest social occasion. Obviously money is the essential ingredient in minimal supply and there are various details reflecting questionable activities surrounding investors, negroes, attempts at civil rights and other contrary behaviors not deemed acceptable by southern gentlemen. Trying to unravel the puzzles of where the money really is, who is telling the truth and all the mixed messages pelting her left and right Gus makes every effort to sort thru the mess and reach a solid understanding. Between the confines of men demanding they have the answers, old vibes from a suitor she could have married and the struggles with her house help who are determined to move out of the area in order to survive, Gus is layered in emotions, questions and the infernal heat. Knowing the aching humidity and oppressive temperatures in the heart of the south, the heat becomes the metaphor for everything unraveling. The author portrays the various characters with a keen perspective and generous adjectives that allow the reader to step into the frustration and entrapment as the story unfolds.

Share/Like this Review?