Going Down South...Review...DNF

About the book:
When fifteen-year-old Olivia Jean finds herself in the “family way,” her mother, Daisy, who has never been very maternal, springs into action. Daisy decides that Olivia Jean can’t stay in New York and whisks her away to her grandmother’s farm in Alabama to have the baby–even though Daisy and her mother, Birdie, have been estranged for years. When they arrive, Birdie lays down the law: Sure, her granddaughter can stay, but Daisy will have to stay as well. Though Daisy is furious, she has no choice.

Now, under one little roof in the 1960s Deep South, three generations of spirited, proud women are forced to live together. One by one, they begin to lose their inhibitions and share their secrets. And as long-guarded truths emerge, a baby is born–a child with the power to turn these virtual strangers into a real, honest-to-goodness family.

Most reviews I've seen call it "wonderful" and a great book for and about mothers and daughters.

It's meant to be a thought-provoking, coming of age, multi-generational book. A young girl becomes pregnant and her mother takes her down south to her grandmother's home. Mom and grandma are somewhat estranged, mom and daughter are somewhat estranged. Most of the men are losers. Secrets are shared and ideally everyone comes together at the end.

I couldn't even finish it. I didn't care about the characters. I couldn't relate to any of them and they inspired no compassion in me whatsoever. The book jumped around a lot, it wasn't a smooth read. It was too raw, with profanity and s*x scenes: and a vulgar edge that was uncomfortable. I'm sure it was "realistic" for many, but I didn't like it.

You can check out other, more positive reviews at Peeking Between the PagesDiary of an Eccentric, Red Lady's Reading Room, Booking Mama, and Bookworm's Dinner.

Thanks to my local library for having a copy I could borrow.  You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 10/08


1/5 Stars

Comments

  1. I agree with Bermudaonion--I appreciate honest reviews. There are so many books to choose from, it's great to be warned about the less-that-wonderful ones. Even if my tastes are different from the reviewers, I still appreciate hearing about the bad as well as the good.

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  2. I haven't read Going South, but wanted to introduce myself because I am also a mother of 2 and tired. Reading is my favorite past time and what keeps my sanity as a woman and mother. I'm glad a stumbled apon your blog and look forward to your future entries.

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  3. I agree that it is important to be honest. I read the book and have a different opinion, I liked it very much. Yes, there are some difficult scenes in the book and everyone has different perspectives. I have read many books that I have felt the same way as you. I cannot read books that are violently graphic abuse of children. I adored this story and the women in the book. Check out my review
    herefor a different perspective.

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