Customer Reviews

Isle of Palms

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Hello-she's baaaaaaaack- that low country lovin, livin, writin, Dorothea Benton Frank.

As with her previous 2 releases, ISLE OF PALMS, is also set in the author's beloved birthplace region and is a tribute to everything from it's salty marshes to it's eccentric inhabitants.

IOP is the author's best book yet.Frank provides equal parts drama, southern heritage and razor sharp one liners(reminiscent of Jersey girl, Evanovich).

The character of Anna Lutz Abbot is richly layered and supported by an ensemble cast that is flawed,but,loving and loyal.Anna's narrative is truly southern as well as sassy!

After reading all 3 of Frank's books, I have added a much needed, soul feeding, low country visit to my 'things to do before I die list.'

The 2 days spent reading this book was a long over due treat and well worth the wait since PLANTATION. My only regret is I didn't have my feet and backside firmly planted in the sandy beaches of South Carolina while reading it!

If you are looking for a fun and entertaining beach book (especially about the low country beaches of South Carolina), Dorothea Benton Frank's Isle of Palms is just the book. Having previously written Sullivan's Island and Plantation, Frank's third book is her best effort yet.

Summer is coming and 37-year-old Anna Lutz Abbot decides that it is time to take control of her life. Three traumatic events occurred during Anna's childhood, and she has pretty much lived her life as a victim. A divorcee' raising an 18 year old daughter, Anna decides to buy a house, make a career change and find a romantic interest. A terrible wrong in her life must also be righted. Things don't always develop as Anna expects, but sometimes the surprises are the most rewarding.

What makes Frank's books so much fun are the sassy writing, witty dialogue, and colorful characters. Frank's descriptions are hysterical. At one point, she tells us the difference between Southern gentlemen, bubbas and red necks-something that only a person raised in the South could do without offense. Her characters are especially memorable from gay ex-husband Jim, to Lucy the intellectually challenged and surgically altered bombshell neighbor to beautiful daughter Emily, who comes home from college in Gothic attire.

On the minus side, this story is a bit unbelievable in parts. Anna doesn't quite deal with issues involving both parents and her childhood. Also, the book is written entirely in the first person. Most of the chapters are seen through Anna's eyes, but several are told by the nosy neighbor, Miss Mavis. At the start of a new chapter, it was sometimes confusing to figure out who was speaking.

But negatives aside, Isle of Palms is an entertaining read. It was especially timely as I actually read it on a South Carolina beach, and am familiar with many of the sights Frank mentions. Her latest book, Shem Creek, has just been published. I think I'll save it for my new low country vacation.

The first few pages of this story was very slow reading, but once I got used to the casual and conversational narrative, and the local dialect, I became deeply engrossed in Anna's colorful life story. The setting was awesome, and the secondary characters were delightful! I'd definitely rank this as one of the best books I've read this year!

This is the third book and the third time I was held hostage by this author's words! I loved this book so much that I couldn't get a lick of work done until I finished it! The characters are deeply defined to the extent where I find I am missing them. I want to go to the Isle of Palms and have my hair done by Anna herself!

Great story! I only wish there were more Jims in this world!! :::sign:::

As it pours outside my Manhattan apartment window--for what it seems like the 90th consecutive day--my favorite escape has been in the pages of ISLE OF PALMS. Anna's voice, the quirky characters, and the warm, salty breeze from the beach by Anna's house have enveloped me in their southerness and I am content to just cuddle up on my leather sofa with a really good book. I almost don't mind the pitter patter of rain on my metal windowpane, it provides a certain rhythmic backdrop, drowning out all other city noises, so that I can be more easily transported to the Isle of Palms and all she has to offer. Ms. Frank certainly has a way with words and relaying emotions on paper and, while the story is multi-leveled--as are the characters--reading this book is a breeze. A perfect beach read.

Please, please don't miss reading this book! It's hilarious, charming, and so so low country. I've read all of Dorothea Benton Frank's books, and this is the best one yet. It kept me laughing and intrigued from beginning to end. I loved Anna! What a survivor! Life may have dealt her a few lemons but she sure knew how to make lemonade. I also loved the flamboyant Jim, crazy Lucy and Brigette, the Bronx bomber who so quickly adapts to life on the Isle of Palms. The only problem with this book is that it ended too soon. Please keep them coming, Ms. Frank, you're the best!

I choose this book to read because I was attending a DBF book signing (Shem's Creek) at the end of the week. Meeting Dottie Frank was an honor. She is a spunky, interesting lady. I was certainly impressed when I went up to her and mentioned a phrase in this book and she repeated it word for word. ("my tongue had probably earned about 20 million Frequent Flyer Miles to rush my immortal impudent soul to a special torture chamber in purgatory")
This book started out sad...mother dying, mean grandmother, rape...but after Anna moves out on her own, her life definately takes a turn for the better. I liked this book. However, the only confusing part was, some of the chapters were told through the eyes of the old next door neighbor. I don't think the idea was complete. I don't understand the significance of it.
There was a reviewer who mentioned something about too much written about food. What was she reading? Must have been on a diet. I don't agree.
Another reviewer said something about the grandmother not being pertinent to the story. Couldn't be more wrong. Definately was pertinent.
This is truly an enjoyable read with just a few flaws. It's worth the read.

This is her best yet. Love her characters in this book. I just didn't want it to end. Women's southern fiction at its best.

I had a little trouble getting into this book initially. It wasn't my "type" and I thought the Southern jargon and sharp-tongued wit would wear thin after a few chapters. Was I ever wrong! I ended up laughing out loud and even starting to throw a few "y'all"s into my daily conversations. This story had just the right mix of emotion and humor - I thoroughly enjoyed this lowcountry tale!

Dottie continues to astound her readers with magical tales of Lowcountry life. Each one takes me back and makes me homesick. Even if you haven't been lucky enough to have at least visited the Charleston area you would still completely LOVE this book as well as her prior ones. She is by far my favorite author and an incredible person to boot. Do yourself a favor and indulge yourself with this wonderful read!