Customer Reviews

Charleston

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Charleston is yet another one of Alexandra Ripley's historical fiction novels. The book begins during the middle of the Civil War and continues on towards 1898. The story surrounds on the Charlestonians, all whom are related to each other somehow or the other. The Tradds, the family that it is focused on, is made up of Mary Tradd, a brainless beauty as the mother; Pinckney Tradd, the new head of the family since the father died during the war, he's worried about how he can bring money in for the family; Stuart Tradd, a young boy not even in his teens during the war, but decides that he's going to defeat the Yankees no matter what; and Lizzie Tradd, the youngest, who isn't quite like any other girl after the war.
This book describes the lives of the Tradd family, and the struggles of their attempts to earn enough the support the family. The animosity towards the Yankees and other "New People" are expressed with the Charlestonian's way of "politing them to death."
Although the book doesn't carry you to the main character, Lizzie Tradd, until you are well into the book, it is still interesting to read about Pinckney, Aunt Julia, and other extraordinary characters.
I greatly admired Charleston's old traditions, like the Saint Cecelia Ball, and the old custom of ringing Saint Michael's Bells every hour. After reading this book, you won't be left with any doubt that Charleston is a very quaint, original, and alluring city.

Boy, was this book ever hard to track down! Seems that most people who read it want to keep it for their own collection - and I just became one of them! Besides the fact that Ripley is one of my favorite authors, Charleston is one of my favorite cities, and historical fiction is my favorite genre of literature, this book caught my attention from the first page and kept it all the way until the last.
This heartwarming, often heartbreaking novel reveals the triumphs and tragedies that were 19th century southern America. From sending young men off to fight their brothers,to facing the adversity of Reconstruction, to the struggle between between races and classes, Ripley absolutely captures the latter part of a tumultuous century.
Leading us on this journey is the novel's heroine, Elizabeth Tradd, raised in wealth and finery until the Civil War leaves her family bordering on poverty. "Lizzie", despite the set-backs, however, manages to use her tenacious spirit and her magnetic charm to establish a life for herself while all the while striving to mend the lives of her family and friends.
Lizzie is truly an inspirational character that I grew to love, laugh, and cry for. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys strong characters, fine writing, and an adoration for all things beautiful.

I have read every historical romance set in the Old South that I have gotten my hands on and this one is by far the best!!!!! I have been a HUGE Gone with the Wind fan since I was a teenager, but to compare these two books is unfair, I think. They both take place in the South around the time of Civil War, but the simliarities stop there. Scarlett, the heroine of GWTW, is selfish, greedy and manipulative (dont get me wrong, I love her for it, even try to emulate her at times) but facts are facts. Scarlett had to "lie, steal, cheat or kill" to survive after the war, and we celebrate her for that. Elizabeth Tradd, Margaret Tradd, Julia Ashley and Lucy Anson, the main "ladies" in this book are everything we love about true heroines. Julia Ashley, unmarried spenster who is truely the head of the family, is strong, smart, calculating and at times, hard. She amazingly saves the Ashley Plantation from certain ruin, even as the Yankees are at her front door. Margaret Tradd, she is the closest to being like Scarlett, she is selfish, and manilpulative, but unlike Scarlett, she is dim witted and flighty. You almost feel sorry for her, but remember that , even if she is dumb, she is a southern lady in every aspect, so you know she will be ok. Lucy Anson, my only complaint about her is that she doesn't get enough "page time" (if you will) in this book. She is one of those amazing charecters in a book that is very important, yet largely ignored. Then there is little Lizzy Tradd. She is the main charecter in this book, but you do not get to really know her until well into the book. She is beautifully plain, genuinely kind and over whelmingly strong. The men in this book are just as dynamic as the women, but are depectied as they should be: Stong, honorable, yet flawed southern gentlemen, who have these incrediable women whispering what needs to been done into their ear.
The stongest most predominate character in this book, however, is the city itself - Charleston. This city is not run by the citizens who live there, they are run by the city. I found myself yearning to learn more about this wonderful, fairtale like city. I could almost see my self walking up the steps to the Saint Cecila Ball. I could swear while reading this book that I could hear the bells of St. Micheal counting off the hours. If for nothing else, read this book simpliy to learn more about one of this country's greatest cities.
I have read this book, FOUR yes count them ONE TWO THREE FOUR times. I always find something that I missed, and never feel like I already know what is going to happen.
***Sadly I recently found out that Alexandra Ripley died at the age of 70, peacefully in her home in Virginia. I am saddened by the fact that we will not have any new works from this lovely, inspiring writer. We love, Ms. Ripley, RIP.******

Although it's also not the most engaging piece of historical fiction I've read either. Which is unfortunate, as there are so few books written about the Civil War and it's aftermath on the people and their families. Charleston is the story of the Lizzie (Elizabeth) Tradd and her brother Pinny (Pinckney) Tradd of Charleston, South Carolina and starts just prior to the end of the war. Pinny is injured in battle and returns home with Shad (Joe) Simmons, who the Charlestonians would consider as white trash. Lizzie is still a young girl who keeps every hurt and emotion tightly wrapped inside of her, and Shad is the only one who can break through to her inner self.

The story continues as the Tradd family attempts to recover their home(s) and livelihood in the aftermath of the Civil War, and continues Lizzie's story into adulthood with a disastrous marriage, childbirth, business successes and failures, a love discovered later in life and a lifelong friendship that might blossom into something more.

Although I greatly enjoyed the historical details and the glimpses into the lives of upper crust of Charleston society, unfortunately the author used a good 2/3 of the book setting up Lizzie's background and childhood and not enough time on her adult life and loves, and that's much too long for me. I would have preferred to start Lizzie's story as an adult and then tell her background via flashbacks. If you're looking for a fast paced storyline I recommend you search elsewhere, but if you want to sit back a savor a slice of life in 19C Charleston society this might be worth your while. I'm giving this one four stars for the history and look at southern life and two stars for a very slow paced storyline, rounded out to three. Not great, but not bad either.

I really enjoyed this book. After reading Gone With the Wind, I was craving a similar book. This was similar and turned out to be very enjoyable. I stayed up very late reading it, and finished it in a few days. If you read it, you must read the sequel, On Leaving Charleston. The book leaves off without a clear ending. The second one gives an explanation.

And the historical perspective. I liked the character descriptions except the end with Lizzie Tradd. It was almost as if Ripley had a deadline and just finished the book off without developing the reasons.

As an avid lover of historical and romantic fiction this book is one of the best that I have ever read! If you liked gone with the wind or scarlett you will love this book. The characters are origional and inspiring. After reading this book I want to visit charleston. Also read the sequel on leaving charleston because it is wonderful also.

i absolutely love this book. it makes me think i was born in charleston in the 1850's and i did live through this book! don't forget to read "ON LEAVING CHARLESTON" the follow up. it is also great!these are my 2 all-time favorite books!!!

Probably one of the best historical novels about Charleston that captures the Pinkney's, the Tradd's, and the Anson's while keeping with the historical accuracy of the times.

If you're a fan of North and South by Jakes - you'll LOVE this book!

Great book about the City of Charleston SC and the people living in there during the Civil War. Not only a novel with a lot of history about the area but a great saga about how the Civil War affected the lives of the people of Charleston. The people of Charleston were a very proud and gracious people who's families had lived in the area for generations, the Civil War destroyed their homes and lives but not their spirit.
There is a sequel to this book " ON LEAVING CHARLESTON" also by Alexander Ripley, which continues the saga of the people in the "CHARLESTON".