Status
Available
Series
Collection
Publication
Berkley (2000), 416 pages
Description
In a novel set on the stormy, sultry coastal region of South Carolina, a woman with an unfaithful husband, resentful teenage daughter, and dark memories of the past embarks on a courageous search for the truth about her life.
User reviews
LibraryThing member joyceBl
I enjoyed the beginning of the book, particularly the accounts of the main character's life growing up on the island with a Gullah caregiver. But the end of the book dissolved into a maudlin religious and sappy sentimental conclusion. Very disappointing.
LibraryThing member countrylife
More, please!
Sullivan’s Island was my first experience with this author. But it certainly shan’t be my last! I am now anxious to read more of her work. And speaking of more, I wish there had been more of this story, too. I wasn’t ready to be done with these characters. (Yay! According to the
Ms. Frank grew up on the island, so her descriptions are heartfelt and full bodied. The sound of the surf washes through your mind as you read, while wiggling your own toes in the ‘sand’. You can’t help but inhabit her characters, loving and fussing with your siblings, helping each other to bear up under the tyranny of a dysfunctional father and a weak mother, each deriving strength from the one solid presence in the house, Livvie, the housekeeper (now there’s a character I’d like to read more of!). Seeing how the bonds forged in childhood, held steady through time for some of the siblings; how others escaped the island, but realized, in the end, the bonds still held.
Told in the voice of the main character, Susan Hayes, in alternating chapters of the present (1999) and her child/young adult-hood (1963), it is a story of a family of children who ‘come up’, as opposed to being ‘brought up’, on Sullivan Island, South Carolina, in their old family home, named Island Gamble. And the story of the two oldest sisters - Susan, who moved off the island, but lives nearby with her husband and daughter, and Maggie, who inherited the old home place, and is raising her family there. The relationship of the sisters is especially well written, in both their youth and maturity.
Lest you think this nothing but a maudlin tale, it is not. It is a vibrant story. Of choices and the lessons learned from them. Of learning to be the best that you can be, regardless of circumstances, or a difficult start in life. Of joy.
Sullivan’s Island was my first experience with this author. But it certainly shan’t be my last! I am now anxious to read more of her work. And speaking of more, I wish there had been more of this story, too. I wasn’t ready to be done with these characters. (Yay! According to the
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author’s website; she has a sequel to this book, just out!)Ms. Frank grew up on the island, so her descriptions are heartfelt and full bodied. The sound of the surf washes through your mind as you read, while wiggling your own toes in the ‘sand’. You can’t help but inhabit her characters, loving and fussing with your siblings, helping each other to bear up under the tyranny of a dysfunctional father and a weak mother, each deriving strength from the one solid presence in the house, Livvie, the housekeeper (now there’s a character I’d like to read more of!). Seeing how the bonds forged in childhood, held steady through time for some of the siblings; how others escaped the island, but realized, in the end, the bonds still held.
Told in the voice of the main character, Susan Hayes, in alternating chapters of the present (1999) and her child/young adult-hood (1963), it is a story of a family of children who ‘come up’, as opposed to being ‘brought up’, on Sullivan Island, South Carolina, in their old family home, named Island Gamble. And the story of the two oldest sisters - Susan, who moved off the island, but lives nearby with her husband and daughter, and Maggie, who inherited the old home place, and is raising her family there. The relationship of the sisters is especially well written, in both their youth and maturity.
Lest you think this nothing but a maudlin tale, it is not. It is a vibrant story. Of choices and the lessons learned from them. Of learning to be the best that you can be, regardless of circumstances, or a difficult start in life. Of joy.
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LibraryThing member Minne2
One of the best books I've read in a long time. The characters were great fun to read about and were such interesting realistic people. Will definetly read more by Benton Frank. This is one of the few books I will keep and read again.
LibraryThing member write_stuff
I really enjoyed this book. I lived in Charleston for a couple of years when I was growing up and spent some time on Sullivan's Island. Good story, believable characters.
LibraryThing member dksthomson
Okay, I'll admit it, I bought this book because my maiden name is Sullivan and since I am dabbling in genealogy, the title intrigued me. It turns out it was a wonderful visit to Lowcountry in South Carolina and a seemingly authentic peek into a family's sweet and sour history. You don't have to be
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from Lowcountry to draw a parallel to the Hamilton family. I'm sure if Livvie were alive today, she would say, "ya'll read this book 'eah." Show Less
LibraryThing member BarbsReviews
I absolutely loved this book and Susan. So far this has to be my favorite of the books I have read by D. Frank. Anyone can relate to this story and feel right at home with Livvie she is the best and wish I could have had someone like her in my life.
LibraryThing member hashim_ar
Very good slow paced ,humurous read.The lead character Susan is damn funny.I didnt care much for teh suspense though regarding her dad.
LibraryThing member LionGirl2k
If this book were food I'd eat it everyday & be the healthiest woman in America. Ms Benton Frank has mastered the art of balanced writing. Funny & educational, perfect settings, hello, the beach! love, revenge, food, family, ghosts, teenagers, divorce, sex, & of course, the Church. & Simon.
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Yum. Show Less
LibraryThing member MaryEvelynLS
Another great read from Dorothea Benton Frank. Written with southern charm that I've come to expect from Frank. Her stories always revolve around family and the Lowcountry. And, they always make me want to call a realtor, pack my bags and head for the eastern coast of South Carolina. Great book
Sullivan's Island can be followed up with Return to Sullivan's Island. Going read that now. Can't wait to read how this tale continues.
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about a family that overcomes obstacles, despite the many odds against them.Sullivan's Island can be followed up with Return to Sullivan's Island. Going read that now. Can't wait to read how this tale continues.
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LibraryThing member TerriBooks
I liked the description of the low country and life outside the city in the old house. And the main character was appealing -- although I still cannot get the picture of what she did to her husband's toothbrush out of my mind. So it was an easy, relaxing read. But I felt that the story struggled to
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figure out where it was going. Did Susan really change much? What was the point of the KKK connection, solved because of a dream, no less? I'm not totally blown away. I have another book by Frank that I'm willing to try out before I write her off completely. Show Less
LibraryThing member lucybrown
Though I did not grow up on Sullivan's Island, my father is from there. I spent many a summer day there during my childhood. If I have a " hometown" it is the island. For this reason Frank's depiction of the island in the 1960s was fun to read. The story was mildly suspenseful. The writing good
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enough, but lacking in any depth. Show Less
LibraryThing member lucybrown
Though I did not grow up on Sullivan's Island, my father is from there. I spent many a summer day there during my childhood. If I have a " hometown" it is the island. For this reason Frank's depiction of the island in the 1960s was fun to read. The story was mildly suspenseful. The writing good
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enough, but lacking in any depth. Show Less
LibraryThing member lucybrown
Though I did not grow up on Sullivan's Island, my father is from there. I spent many a summer day there during my childhood. If I have a " hometown" it is the island. For this reason Frank's depiction of the island in the 1960s was fun to read. The story was mildly suspenseful. The writing good
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enough, but lacking in any depth. Show Less
LibraryThing member VashonJim
Frank's featured characters have a similarity about them from book to book, but they are captivating characters nonetheless. Great summer beach book.
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
From the jacket: Born and raised on idyllic Sullivan’s Island, Susan Hayes navigated through her turbulent childhood with humor, spunk, and characteristic Southern sass. But years later, she is a conflicted woman with an unfaithful husband, a sometimes resentful teenage daughter, and a heart that
My reactions
I know that Frank writes chick-lit, beach books, so I wasn’t expecting great literature, and my expectations were met. The problem I had with the book comes from Frank’s attempts to tell two stories: the contemporary (1999) story of Susan’s failing marriage, and the 1963 story of Susan’s childhood and the loss of her father. Neither story is sufficiently fleshed out to be satisfying, and I wish she had chosen one or the other to tell. Still, it’s a fast read, and I liked the relationship between Susan and her sister, Maggie.
I could have done without the seemingly forced Gullah dialect. And without the mirror that apparently allows one to communicate with the dead. On the other hand, there were a few scenes that were just priceless. I especially loved the scene where the housekeeper Livvie is drinking Coke from one of Susan’s mother’s best crystal goblets, crystal that NO ONE drinks from: “Momma saved that crystal in case President Kennedy decided to come for dinner.” I had to laugh aloud, thinking of my own mother’s “special” china.
I might read another of Frank’s book if I need a quick read for a challenge, but I’m in no hurry to do so.
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aches with painful, poignant memories. And as Susan faces her uncertain future, she realizes that she must go back to her past. To the beachfront house where her sister welcomes her with open arms. My reactions
I know that Frank writes chick-lit, beach books, so I wasn’t expecting great literature, and my expectations were met. The problem I had with the book comes from Frank’s attempts to tell two stories: the contemporary (1999) story of Susan’s failing marriage, and the 1963 story of Susan’s childhood and the loss of her father. Neither story is sufficiently fleshed out to be satisfying, and I wish she had chosen one or the other to tell. Still, it’s a fast read, and I liked the relationship between Susan and her sister, Maggie.
I could have done without the seemingly forced Gullah dialect. And without the mirror that apparently allows one to communicate with the dead. On the other hand, there were a few scenes that were just priceless. I especially loved the scene where the housekeeper Livvie is drinking Coke from one of Susan’s mother’s best crystal goblets, crystal that NO ONE drinks from: “Momma saved that crystal in case President Kennedy decided to come for dinner.” I had to laugh aloud, thinking of my own mother’s “special” china.
I might read another of Frank’s book if I need a quick read for a challenge, but I’m in no hurry to do so.
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LibraryThing member dianaleez
Sullivan's Island was my first Dorothea Benton Frank novel, but I'll be reading others. It's easy reading, humorous in parts, sad in others, filled with local color [set around Charleston and Sullivan's Island, South Carolina].
Frank takes the somewhat cliched story of a woman done wrong by her
I liked Susan and I like what Frank has to say about the human spirit.
Frank takes the somewhat cliched story of a woman done wrong by her
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lawyer husband and deftly turns it into a self-deprecating memoir. Susan Hayes is an interesting character. In the year after her marriage breaks up - she does the usual womanly things - losing weight, getting a new hairstyle, going on the funniest awful date of all time - but she also delves into her own past on Sullivan's Island - faces her own demons - and emerges strong and confident. Not a cliche at all, but an interesting journey. I liked Susan and I like what Frank has to say about the human spirit.
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LibraryThing member mpmleonard
Susan Hayes grew up in a large and somewhat dysfunctional family on Sullivan's Island. Her mother was dramatic and spent most days in some sort of pharmaceutical haze while her father was hard, and at times abusive, towards her and her siblings. She flashes back to critical moments of her childhood
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during the tumultuous Civil Rights era and comes to grip with her father's involvement and untimely death. When she's not recollecting past events she's dealing with her present divorce and trying to redefine herself as a divorced working mother. Lots of laughs in the sometimes slow but enjoyable book. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1999
Physical description
416 p.; 4.3 inches
ISBN
0515127221 / 9780515127225