Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Bethany House Publishers (2011), 400 pages
Original publication date
2011
Description
The Singleton family's fortunes seem unaffected by the Great Depression, and Perri--along with the other girls at Atlanta's elite Washington Seminary--lives a carefree life of tea dances with college boys, matinees at the cinema, and debut parties. But when tragedies strike, Perri is confronted with a world far different from the one she has always known. At the insistence of her parents, Mary "Dobbs" Dillard, the daughter of an itinerant preacher, is sent from inner-city Chicago to live with her aunt and attend Washington Seminary, bringing confrontation and radical ideas. Her arrival intersects at the point of Perri's ultimate crisis, and the tragedy forges an unlikely friendship. The Sweetest Thing tells the story of two remarkable young women--opposites in every way--fighting for the same goal: surviving tumultuous change.… (more)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
400 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
0764208314 / 9780764208317
User reviews
LibraryThing member starbritejan
I so enjoyed The Sweetest Thing. This story is one of hardships and tragedies during the Depression and tells of how two girls from different societies meet and bond with a friendship that cannot be broken. With faith and trust in God they overcome and are friends forever...as they say The sweetest
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thing is Love. Love never fails. A great book!! Show Less
LibraryThing member sdmurphy53
The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser
I appreciate the opportunity to read this awesome book. I was totally enthralled with Peri and Mary Dobbs and their relationship with each other and hated to put the book down. By reading the book I felt like I really knew them and enjoyed living their lives
I appreciate the opportunity to read this awesome book. I was totally enthralled with Peri and Mary Dobbs and their relationship with each other and hated to put the book down. By reading the book I felt like I really knew them and enjoyed living their lives
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with them. I felt as though I was there with them through out every thing and at times I wanted to talk to them and help them straighten up and not mess up the camaraderie that they had. The friendship that they had was awesome and something I think every person would love to have. I especially enjoyed the fact that they shared faith with one another and helped each other throughout their intertwining lives. I am hoping that there will be a sequel with possibly one of Mary Dobbs’ sisters doing something similar or continuing on the friendship between Peri and Mary Dobbs. I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Musser’s books. I highly recommend this book and have already passed my copy on to others to read. I did notice a few typos in the book and did not know how to let you know about them. Show Less
LibraryThing member EnglishGeek13
I received this as a member of the Early Reviewers. I found this to be a solid book about life and friendship, loss and healing. At first I had a hard time seeing the main characters, Perri and Dobbs, as girls older than 12. Their behaviors seemed more fitting to younger girls, but eventually I was
As a follower of Christ, I did find some solid lessons that the characters had to learn, like the importance to looking beyond outer appearances (it's more well-written than that!) and how doubt can overshadow our understanding of the truth of God's character. Overall I did enjoy this book and would probably read it again to see if I could find some depth I may have missed. I don't know that I would find any, but I'd be willing to give it a chance.
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able to overcome that and see them as young women. I found Musser's style realistic and open, with her characters struggling and reacting in ways that were not necessarily predictable or smoothed over. My only complaint is that there were several subplots, like the stolen items, that could have been left out. I didn't feel that it added a depth to the story and was just something to tie up nicely at the end. I could see Hollywood or some studio taking this and making it into a chick flick, but doing so would, I feel, take a lot of the honesty away if not dealt with properly. As a follower of Christ, I did find some solid lessons that the characters had to learn, like the importance to looking beyond outer appearances (it's more well-written than that!) and how doubt can overshadow our understanding of the truth of God's character. Overall I did enjoy this book and would probably read it again to see if I could find some depth I may have missed. I don't know that I would find any, but I'd be willing to give it a chance.
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LibraryThing member tipsister
The Sweetest Thing, by Elizabeth Musser, is a story of friendship despite differences. It’s a story about how a life of faith can be tested and how a tragic loss can change a life, sometimes for the better.
Perri is a daughter of privilege. She grew up in Atlanta, in a community more or less
When Dobbs moves in with her aunt in Atlanta it is to give her the chance for a different kind of life. She meets Perri and after a family tragedy, becomes the one friend that Perri can really count on. The two girls experience highs and lows with Perri slowly growing in her relationship with Christ at the same time Dobbs begins to lose her faith, when old family secrets are revealed.
One lesson to take away from this book is that even in the darkest times, one little bit of God’s love, no matter what form it takes, can pull you out. I recommend this story to anyone who needs a reminder of that.
Perri is a daughter of privilege. She grew up in Atlanta, in a community more or less
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immune to the depression plaguing the nation. At least that’s what Perri thought. Mary Dobbs is a teenager who has watched her family struggle her entire life. As the daughter of a pastor, she fully believes that God provides, because she’s experienced it in her daily life. When Dobbs moves in with her aunt in Atlanta it is to give her the chance for a different kind of life. She meets Perri and after a family tragedy, becomes the one friend that Perri can really count on. The two girls experience highs and lows with Perri slowly growing in her relationship with Christ at the same time Dobbs begins to lose her faith, when old family secrets are revealed.
One lesson to take away from this book is that even in the darkest times, one little bit of God’s love, no matter what form it takes, can pull you out. I recommend this story to anyone who needs a reminder of that.
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LibraryThing member msh09
Loved, loved, LOVED this book! What a sweet (yes, the title is perfect) story of friendship between two very different girls in Atlanta, set during the Great Depression. Perri is from the elite class in Atlanta and Dobbs is from Chicago, staying with her aunt in order to get a better education.
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Dobbs father is a traveling preacher. Her family always wonders where their next meal is coming from. Dobbs and her family have a faith that can move mountains. I have never read a book by Elizabeth Musser, but I can assure you that I will read many more. The characters that she created and the challenges they faced were very real. Many Christian Fiction books tend to make lives a little too pretty and tied in a little bow. Musser depicts the real life struggles of life and faith in the lives of Dobbs and Perri. And the wonderful gift of friendship that God can use to lift us up when nothing else can. As Dobbs told Perri towards the beginning and as Perri told Dobbs towards the end......sometimes we need someone else to say the prayers for us that we can't voice for ourselves. Show Less
LibraryThing member vintagebeckie
The Sweetest Thing is another beautifully written novel from the pen of Elizabeth Musser. Musser manages to capture depression era Atlanta and bring it into focus for the reader. And once again her characters are authentic, revealing truth and a depth of feeling not often found in books. I have
Perri Singleton is the pampered, but not quite spoiled seventeen year old used to all the finest in her world. Her world is filled with parties, teas and pop-calling. The Depression has been going on for 3 years, yet it hasn’t touched her life in any significant day. Until the banks close and the unthinkable happens. Enter Mary Dobbs Dillard, ever enthusiastic daughter of a preacher, who has grown up knowing what hardship, hunger and poverty looks like first hand. Theirs is an unusual friendship, yet one that deepens through their struggles with life and faith. Told from both of their perspectives, The Sweetest Thing presents a wonderful story of lost and found faith and the discovery of just what is the sweetest thing in life.
As with her other novels set in Atlanta, Musser bring its Depression-era identity to life. Some landmarks that existed in 1933 still stand today — the Fox Theatre, the Georgian Terrace — and some have been changed or repurposed since those earlier days — the Alms Houses, Five Points — but all come to life in a way that the reader can truly experience the city in its former state. I could see West Paces Ferry (a very busy street now) stretching out into fields and woods.
Should you read The Sweetest Thing if you are a Georgia or Atlanta native? Oh yes! Should you read it if you are not? Oh, my, yes! This is a novel for everyone — a story filled with wit, poignancy and truth — The Sweetest Thing is Highly Recommended.
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read three of Musser’s other books — The Swan House, The Dwelling Place and Searching for Eternity. All are excellent, but I believe The Sweetest Thing is my favorite so far. Perri Singleton is the pampered, but not quite spoiled seventeen year old used to all the finest in her world. Her world is filled with parties, teas and pop-calling. The Depression has been going on for 3 years, yet it hasn’t touched her life in any significant day. Until the banks close and the unthinkable happens. Enter Mary Dobbs Dillard, ever enthusiastic daughter of a preacher, who has grown up knowing what hardship, hunger and poverty looks like first hand. Theirs is an unusual friendship, yet one that deepens through their struggles with life and faith. Told from both of their perspectives, The Sweetest Thing presents a wonderful story of lost and found faith and the discovery of just what is the sweetest thing in life.
As with her other novels set in Atlanta, Musser bring its Depression-era identity to life. Some landmarks that existed in 1933 still stand today — the Fox Theatre, the Georgian Terrace — and some have been changed or repurposed since those earlier days — the Alms Houses, Five Points — but all come to life in a way that the reader can truly experience the city in its former state. I could see West Paces Ferry (a very busy street now) stretching out into fields and woods.
Should you read The Sweetest Thing if you are a Georgia or Atlanta native? Oh yes! Should you read it if you are not? Oh, my, yes! This is a novel for everyone — a story filled with wit, poignancy and truth — The Sweetest Thing is Highly Recommended.
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Media reviews
From publisher
This beautifully written, so well-informed novel transports you to the early 30’s and brings Atlanta to life. A truely touching story of friendship and faith that with characters as real as the ones I grew up with.
I felt that the author provides a cultural glimpse into the southern
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aristocracy but also the ways in which the depression ended up affecting the highest of highs and lowest of lows in society. It painted a picture that showed that while the affects were quite different- the emotional story and end results almost leveled the playing field.
This isn't a Christian fiction novel where everything stays neat and tidy and everyone lives happily ever after. There are hardships, trials and heartaches that are very easy to relate to in todays world.
I was given a free copy of this book to review by Bethany House. I am not required to write any positive or negative reviews. Just my own humble opinions. Show Less