Customer Reviews

Flies on the Butter

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been a Denise Hildreth fan since the time I found the first Savannah book. While this book is a bit different, I loved it just as much. As I read, I found myself taking a journey into my own childhood memories, both pleasant and at times difficult to remember. Rose's grandmother reminded me so much of my own Granny--sitting on the front-porch swing just listening to her hum and watching the cars drive by, playing at her house with all my cousins, the wonderful meals (oh how I miss her biscuits and sausage gravy), and the countless church potluck dinners (including all those pesky flies). Being a Georgia girl, I loved Denise's descriptions of the south and all the wonderful people who live here. Rose's story stirred a multitude of emotions within me, and left me thinking of my own life and path to Christ long after the last word was read. This book was truly a blessing to me.

Rose Fletcher is on her way back to South Carolina after being away for many years. She's tried to escape her southern heritage by living up in DC, hiding her accent and cutting all connections with her past. However she's discovered that her past cannot escape her especially with the trip she is now taking back to her home. The story is Rose's drive from DC to South Carolina interwoven with memories from her past. The reader is shown how scenes from her childhood have affected her life today. As Rose's trip continues, she and the reader see how no matter how you try to escape where you came from, your home will always be with you no matter what.

If you liked the Savannah series, you'll like this book one too. While it doesn't have the humor or eccentric characters as the Savannah books, Flies does have that southern charm and great storyline that draws you in. Rose is a character that slowly grows on you. I didn't like her at first but then as more of her story is revealed, I felt more sympathetic towards her. Although I do not agree with her reasons for having an affair, it is understandable why a working woman in the prime of a budding career would not want to have children. I liked also the characters Rose met along the way, each realizing that they met her for a reason and then chose to pray for her. I also enjoyed reading about the food. Southern food is the absolute best, fried chicken and pork chops. I live in Virginia but not in the part that's considered real southern. My boyfriend on the other hand lives in that southern part so a lot of what happens in the book happens in his hometown. So I found a bunch of familiar things that I could relate too such as the boiled peanuts, Fun Dip, and the ice cold coke. And I really want to go to one of those roadside diners one day. That meal that was given to Rose at the diner sounds so good. While reading this book, I was reminded of the movies Elizabethtown and Junebug. The whole southern bit about slowing down. This book really moved me. I laughed and I cried. It's definitely one of the best books I've read this year so far.

Denise Hildreth has once again written an excellent novel, one I couldn't put down. If you want a story that will move you and touch your life, then I highly recommend this book for you.

I first discovered Denise Hildreth when I picked up and read "Savannah from Savannah" and I was hooked. That southern flavor permeated the pages, and I adored the quirky family she had created.

Denise gave me three wonderful Savannah novels.

So I was a little disappointed when I found out "Flies on the Butter" was a departure from the beloved characters I had grown to love. But, as Denise herself says, "...sister needed to know that she could write about something other than crazy people from the South."

Well, sister can know for sure...she can write, powerfully write.

"Flies on the Butter" is the story of Rose Fletcher, both who she once was and who she is today, and how the two finally merge into the person she was meant to become.

The story bounces between present day and Rose's memories of her childhood growing up in the South. A stark contrast is created immediately between the two, and it is obvious that Rose is running from the girl she once was, creating a new and improved Rose that is sleeker, sharper, and able to keep her emotions under tight reign.

As the novel unfolds, we learn slowly (isn't that how everything is done in the South?!?) just why Rose feels this need to be so different, and why anything reminiscent of her childhood sends her running the opposite direction.

You can sense foreshadowing of events to come...like a spectre of hope tinged with foreboding...And I love it. It kept me reading long past lights out, and longing for more of Rose's memories. How sweet to picture her wrapping her arm around her granddaddy's head and rubbing that soft spot on his ear, falling asleep as he rocked her on his lap on the porch swing...but Denise writes it so much better than I do!

There's a sense of something highly spiritual (the world would describe it as mystical) going on as well...divine encounters with strangers that leave glory-bumps on your arms and a longing for God to love you like He obviously loves Rose.

Can you tell I drank up this novel like a parched soul on a hot, dry day?? I do believe this is a "read once a year" novel for me...when I need to be reminded of God's love for me and His divine plan includes where I came from as well as where I'm going?

I cannot recommend "Flies on the Butter" any more highly...get this book. Pour yourself a glass of sweet tea, sit on the porch swing, and enjoy Rose's journey...it will make your journey so much more fulfilling....

Happy Reading!

Deena
[...]

What a privilege to witness the moments when God brings a person to such brokenness that she finally submits to His gentle care. This book gave me hope for those in my life struggling to find faith in Jesus and/or to surrender to Him--that the prayers of others DO have an impact on the strugglers' journeys and that God loves them enough to persist in His pursuit. (Even when I can't see the glory part coming!)

At first I, like another reviewer here, worried that I wasn't going to like Rose all that much, but how she grew on me and how I ultimately identified with her and cheered her on! Don't the best characters do that? Maybe we are initially repelled because we see the less-than-positive aspects of ourselves in them, and perhaps we are inclined to judge them too.

I learned some things in this book, and I was encouraged (and entertained). Thank you, Denise!

I loved this book! I was crying w/in the first 3 chapters because of the memories from my childhood that were flooding my mind. Events that I thought were lost or buried from my past came back as I read. I grew up in a very small town, so I could relate to this so much. What I thought was boring and mundane about my town and my past, I now see has shaped me into the person I am today, especially going to church every time the doors were open. This is just a wonderful story of a girl who had totally chosen the world over Christ, and the grace and forgiveness that He is just waiting to offer us!!

Thirty-something Rose Fletcher, a successful lobbyist in Washington, D.C., is on her way to visit her small town Southern home for the first time in a long time, but there's a lot more to her than meets the eye. The novel's fairly traditional prodigal/coming home plot is enlivened by the author's Southern charm, wit, and sensibility. The storyline flows smoothly, the flashbacks are natural, and the character development is strong. It's the kind of book that won't let you stay at arm's length; it demands to pull you in. And you won't be sorry.

What a welcomed relief "Flies on the Butter" was for me. born, breed, and still breathing southern life - I could relate (minus the affair) to Rose and her journey. Even in the south we at times get to busy to reconize the blessings around us. Growing up with a Grandfather who was sure to be sitting on his front porch looking for "someone" to visit, a Grandma always trying to feed us, and memories of siblings and cousins doing crazy things brought back wonderful memories. Each stop Rose made along her journey - was just a part of her destiny - because each person she met along the way were just God's intercessors - on Rose's behalf. I'm glad to know in our day to day lives - God is still helping us find our destiny in Him - He is just perfecting us as we follow "our" journey - and when we come to the end of ourselves - He's there ready to pick us up and put us back on our feet again. He knows just when to send strangers, and Chrisophers to help us too. If life has been to busy lately - pick up "Flies on the Butter" - go to a quiet place - and take a well needed journey with Rose and God.
WARNING: Hide the fly swatter if you keep the book in sight because everyone will try to kill the fly on the cover:-)

It's FABULOUS!!! To quote Savannah, "OH MY STARS!'

You'll need tissues for this one...to wipe away the tears from your eyes and beverage spewed all over the page from your laughter.

Reading Flies was cathardic...healing...blessing...amazing...story totally hit home.

Denise's books are like Cokes...let's hope she keeps 'em comin'!

Denise Hildreth deprived me of sleep once again. Having been disappointed that there wasn't another book coming in the Savannah series, there was still no doubt that I would read the next book that Denise would write. The title got me first, the pesky fly made me smile, but the contents of a painful past, a hardened heart and a longing for home kept me up until morning. When Rose Fletcher started on her journey I had multiple ideas of where I thought this book might be headed. Few of my ideas were found on the page, but my heart was opened regardless of how we got to the destination. The weaknesses of the main character Rose prompted no sympathy in me in the beginning. However, the back flashes that were woven with such fluidity allowed me a glimpse into the "Rosey" that so many loved that your heart softened which I have always felt revealed the ability of a true storyteller. By the time I closed the final page I had shed more tears than I think I shed in all of 2006. Thank you Denise for being brave enough to step out of what people have grown accustomed to and allowing us the privilege of traveling where your mind has taken you. I'm looking forward to where it will take us next.

BUY THIS BOOK! Each page takes you further along the journey of redemption until you feel like you are growing and going right alongside the main character. Hats off to Denise Hildreth for writing such a heart-warming book without coming across as preachy - only human!