Customer Reviews

The Book of Marie

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Terry Kay has crafted a beautiful, realistic look at the people of his native state of Georgia and their reactions to the arrival of integration and the many changes it brought to their lives. The citizens of Overton, GA, a small rural community with a class C high school, are seen as teenagers in the 1950s, and again at their 50th high school reunion.

Marie, an outsider from the North who joins the senior class in 1954, is an outspoken critic of all things Southern, and is shunned by her class members except for Cole, the popular football quarterback and very traditional Southern male. Despite their cultural differences, an unexplained attraction emerges.

After their graduation and separation, their strange friendship is continued and revealed through the letters they exchange as the years pass. The arrival of the 50th Reunion vividly shows the changes that have occured in Overton because of integration and civil rights, and the direct effect it has had on the lives of the class of 1954.

Through his many brilliantly developed characters Kay also addresses the issues of male aging, and the importance of place and friendship in creating a satisfactory life.

The Book of Marie has captured a sometimes forgotten generation and its role in history.It is a stunning discovery.

Written by Georgia Writers Hall of Fame author Terry Kay, The Book of Marie is a novel centered upon the fiftieth reunion of the Overton High School class of 1955. Protagonist Cole Bishop remained friends with high school classmate Marie Fitzpatrick well after graduation, yet has been struck by her surprisingly accurate predictions. Each of them witnessed America itself changing, sometimes violently; in 1962, a young black girl was killed at a civil rights demonstration, and the next day a Georgia home was burned. These and many more events reveal the at time painful tribulations a nation went through, as changes were made in the lives of whites and blacks alike. The Book About Marie is as much about individual bonds and knowing a place as home as it is about the turbulent spectrum of history, and evokes emotion, connection, heartbreak and hope. Highly recommended.

This is by far the best book I have read in a long time! I was not able to put it down, finally finishing it at 3:30am. Wow what a great book. Terry Kay is an awesome writer.

This novel by Mr. Kay flows in such a way that you don't realize you're reading. It almost feels like a memory and because of this connection you physically feel the emotions of the main character, Cole.
I'm not one for long reviews, but I did want to take a moment to leave a good note about this book because it's another wonderful story from Terry Kay that must be read by anyone that wants a better understanding of the South and of America. It's also another great read by one of the world's greatest authors.

I have enjoyed reading this book. I am so glad that I was not born in Overton, Georgia back in the ninteen-fifties because I would have been shot dead long time ago. This book tells a lot of secrets of the segregation of the public schools, libraries, water fountains, and much more in the slave days. But one person at a young age change all of that and the little town of Overton, Ga. and all the people in without a clue..... Read the book to find out what really happened....

Terry Kay has masterfully captured the "what ifs" and "whys" of real life, the excruciating way old love continues to haunt, taunt and touch. This book, which deftly switches between the first and third person to take us from the narrative to the innermost thoughts of our protagonist, finds a way to make us feel good about what we lost. When all is said and done, is it possible that regret and redemption are inextricably linked? In a life lived, yes they are. And we are somehow comforted by that.

This is a very good book about a high school reunion in GA. Terry Kay gives wonderful word pictures all through this book. His discriptions are so good.It is a great 'read'.

I love Terry Kay, he has to be my favorite southern writer! This book, like all of his books is wonderful! I would highly recommend it to anyone. I love how he develops characters and the story line. I feel that I know all of the people in the book, and consider them close friends! Great book to take on a vacation or to read at home at night in your easy chair! I have read all of Terry Kay's books! Write more please!

I have read all of Terry Kay's books and this is one of the best. To bad he is not known as much. His stories are about people you woud like to know. Frank Burton

I wanted to cry after A Book of Marie was over. I did not want it to end. You do not know the conclusion until last few pages. It is one book that you keep reading until you finish. It has emotional and insightful thoughts. A MUST ON YOUR READING LIST.