Customer Reviews

Dancing In The Lowcountry

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

 

 

The jacket synopsis led me to grab this book for something to read on a recent flight. The references to North and South Carolina, it's traditions and customs, were what pulled me in. Though it's meant to be a fairly light read, it was too thin in detail for me. I would've thought a culinary writer could really dig in to the smells and sights, sounds and ambiance, that is uniquely The South. The main character, Ella, was not especially likable. There's some who mistakenly think that old fashioned bigotry served up with a side of honeyed hush puppies has a charm to it. I don't. And I don't think it begins to give shape to true belles who are more complex ladies. I wanted to know more about the setting and the people to make it real. It just wasn't.

I'm obviously in the minority, but I did not like this book. I bought it almost without looking because I love his food writing, and have all his books on that subject.
But this was too cutesy (except for one thing I'll mention later)by more than half, and predictable; many characters, while amusing, are too one-dimensional.
But if you liked Jan Karon's NC series, you'll probably like this. The saving grace here is his obvious affection and knowledge of the locale. I thought, once into it, my elderly southern mother might like it---until I got to the sex scenes, which were fine for me, but probably a bit much for her! But those are a big contrast to the rest of the book.

DANCING IN THE LOWCOUNTRY is a novel about relationships --- those we are born into and those we choose on our own. Set in the warm, lush beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry, the book centers on Ella Dubose, a Southern lady of a certain age, whose flower may be fading but who still wants to control her own destiny.

When her adult children begin questioning the wisdom of her independence, she gathers up her companion, a Cherokee Indian named Goldie, and drives down to a genteel seaside inn on Myrtle Beach. There, while waiting for her eldest son Tyler, a successful New York City novelist, to join her, she meets up with a gentleman doctor from New Jersey and the romantic sparks fly. But Ella and Tyler each have some unfinished business to attend to with one another, and while she awaits her son's arrival, she relives some memories from times gone by and contemplates the choices we make in our lives that end up defining us.

James Villas, a successful food and wine writer for over 25 years, has an obvious passion for the people, places and details of his Southern heritage. An award-winning cookbook author who has often explored the culinary traditions of the Southern United States (THE GLORY OF SOUTHERN COOKING, MY MOTHER'S SOUTHERN KITCHEN), he has as confident and sure a style with fiction as he does with biscuits. DANCING IN THE LOWCOUNTRY is replete with the essence of South Carolina, from the descriptions of the dining table fare (just reading about the hush puppies is sure to make your mouth water) to the beach fishing to the detailed scenes describing the one and only Carolina Shag --- a unique dancing style typical of the area. (In fact, Villas's descriptions were so intriguing that I had to check it out for myself --- there are some great videos of Carolina Shag dancing available on YouTube.com.) He has an ear for nuance and an eye for detail, and his sense of place is pitch-perfect.

Part of the delight of DANCING IN THE LOWCOUNTRY is its ability to evoke a different place and time --- a time when boys asked girls to shag to the music of bands like the Drifters, and when people dressed up for dinner. The tale moves seamlessly between its modern-day storyline at Myrtle Beach with Ella and Goldie to Ella's reminiscences of growing up in the area. As she steels herself to tell Tyler the full truth about his life, she remembers the two men who most clearly marked her past and tentatively explores the possibility of a future with Edmund.

DANCING IN THE LOWCOUNTRY is a perfect autumn read, when the change in seasons naturally encourages us to be a bit reflective about our lives. Villas's obvious love for his setting and subject matter imbues the novel with classic Southern charm. And like a great beach song, a perfect slow dance, or a special Southern dinner among friends, the memory of these characters stay with you long after you have finished their story.

--- Reviewed by Lourdes Orive

"Dancing in the Lowcountry" is a delectable southern feast served up by the inimitable James Villas. Set in an old upper crust hotel in Myrtle Beach, SC, the novel revels in the sights, sounds and tastes of the Grand Strand beach setting. One is swept away by the memories of the 1950's with beach music and a poignant mystery of old Charleston and young lovers. Fast paced and very witty, the novel takes you from the bustling economy of the 'new' Charlotte, NC to the fried food eateries of Calabash. You can literally smell the hushpuppies! Mr. Villas captures the mood and flavors of the southern experience in the memories of a grand dame who carries a pistol and likes her cocktails. Romance awaits and deep family secrets are about to explode. Fascinating characters abound and you are swept along in a most lively fashion. I adored the novel and its rich humor!
Phillip R. Poovey - Raleigh, NC

This is not my usual type of book, and I've never read the author's other works, so I had really nothing to compare this to. The description encouraged me to buy it, and I had it for almost a year before I got around to reading it. And I was pleasantly surprised. This is a pensive and thoughtful story about an elderly woman looking back at her youth in the 40's. She mourns lost youth and lost loves, and struggles with secrets that she's kept hidden from her closest family for decades. She feels that she needs to tell the secrets she's been keeping, but can't seem to find just the right moment; and her eldest (favorite) son is likewise trying to find a way to tell her that he's dying of cancer.

Ultimately, the story is about putting memory in its place and realizing that the present is where duty and courage are needed. The future is an unknown, but it's not devoid of promise, either.

Recommended. This is not a quick-moving book - it's full of flashbacks to the 40's; to memories good and bad; coming to terms with guilt and fear; and the realization that one needs to let go of the past.

Note on Kindle formatting: Excellent. I did not note any issues.

"Dancing In The Lowcountry" is written with keen sensitivity and warmth. The bittersweet encounter between Ella's "old South" and the modern world is conveyed with keen insight to the tenderness and fragility of human nature. Although there is an abundance of charm and wit, "charming" and "witty" are not sufficient to describe this delightful novel. Mr. Villas has crafted an elequent and engaging tale, written from life experience and empathy. Highly recommended reading!

The story line for this book is good but the characters are unlikeable, shallow stereotypes. The main character, Ella, comes across as a tottering old fool at the age of 73. Ella and her family look down their nose at people different than they are. They are very disrespectful to everyone including each other. The whole family treats Goldie, Ella's Cherokee helper, as though she is a child. In one scene when Goldie is telling a story about Cherokee beliefs, Tyler basically rolls his eyes and says "whatever". This from a man who has traveled the world and is highly educated? In the end I didn't feel that any of the characters learned anything or changed in any way.

One of the editorial reviews says "When you are from the South, as I am, these are the characters you wish were in your family." I am from the South and very glad these characters are not part of my family, except for maybe Goldie.

As mentioned in some reviews, the sex scenes are graphic. They could have been less graphic and still told the same story.

I thought I'd finally found another source of stories set in the south that I love so much. It started out fine, but the details of men and men sex were not necessary and a little offensive. I don't have anything against gay relationships, but I really don't want to dwell on the technicalities of their sexual exploits. Way too much information, it seemed totally in contrast to the "genteel" mood of the story. I would have had just as much sympathy for Jonathan and Tyler without the details. I will problably not read another of his books, just to avoid the sex descriptions.

This book started off positively. I was instantly pulled in by the main characters. However, after the 1st sex scene, I prayed there wouldn't be more. I am not into reading gay sex scenes, and these were unsettling to me. I stopped reading it and deleted it from my Kindle after getting to the 2nd same-sex scene.

It would have been a lovely book without the sex scenes. If that aspect doesn't bother you, then I recommend reading it.

If it were possible to give negative stars, this book would be a -5. I rarely give up on a book, but I could not finish this mess. One stereotype after another, with every bigoted name possible, just banging the reader over the head . I tried to stay with it, thinking the author was trying to make a point, but i'm afraid there was no point.