Customer Reviews

Leaving Cold Sassy

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After reading and loving "Cold Sassy Tree," I was eager but apprehensive about reading the sequel because I knew that she had not lived to finish the work. After all, I had read novels which reflected an attempt to retain the style and focus of an novel after the orginal author had died; often I had been disappointed or underwhelmed.

The novel itself stops at the point where the author's life ended. At that point, though, the reader is given her notes which reveal how the book would have ended. If you can imagine having to leave a party early or move away from friends, having to rely on someone close to the action for a true account, this is the feel of the novel.

The wonderful surprise, however, surfaces in the last of the book, where her editor (agent? I don't have the copy nearby) tells Olive Ann Burns' story. And what an inspiration it is to read about this woman who kept working because her readers really wanted to know what happened to the characters she had created. My initial reaction upon completing the book was a thank you for the integrity with which the book was handled.

I wish I could give this book two different ratings. As a sequel to "Cold Sassy Tree", it fails miserably. It is unevenly written, and the story just doesn't flow very well.

However, as a tribute to the author and the sensation she sparked with the original book, it succeeds magnificently. Instead of learning what happens next to Will Tweedy, we learn about the author. It is amazing to me that the author wrote the original text while fighting cancer. I can barely manage to write a quick email when I just have a small cold!

If you are really expecting a sequel to "Leaving Cold Sassy", you will be well-served to pass up this book. If, however, you are interested in the author behind the book, you will find a reasonably satisfying answer to that question.

For those looking to satisfy their curiousity over what happens to Will Tweedy, sadly, this book doesn't quite give enough. What it does provide, however, is a the beautiful story of Olive Ann Burns, and how she came to write Cold Sassy Tree. Of course, the sad truth is that Ms. Burns didn't live to finish Will Tweedy's story. What she did write is just as entertaining as the first novel.

The rest of the book is a kind of biography of Olive Ann Burns, of how she came to write the book, the personal meaning the story held for her, and how being an author affected her life. I found her life fascinating, and the personal anecdotes charming, humorous, and so insightful.

For any woman who seriously thinks of writing a novel, this book is inspirational. So many times while reading this book, I saw myself in Ms. Burns, and took her words to heart. There is much to learn from her writing experiences, her writing process, her perspective on writing. Not the least of which is the touching and very compelling lesson--that you should not put off your dreams, your intentions to write, or whatever it is you hope to achieve in this life.

I wish there were more to read by this author--her stories make me laugh and cry, and always make me think about life. What more could you want from a book?

I read "Leaving Cold Sassy", wanting to find out what happened to Will Tweedy. I enjoyed the sequel. But because it was unfinished, I was left with wanting more.

What really touched me was the writing of Ms. Kenison on Olive Ann Burns. Ms. Kenison presents the story of a truly amazing woman. Mrs. Burns was an incredibly strong woman, who seemed to remain positive and happy despite the trials and tribulations of her life. I enjoyed learning about the woman behind "Cold Sassy Tree", and how she came to develop the story of Will Tweedy.

Leaving Cold Sassy is a beauiful way to say goodbye to Cold Sassy as well as to its imaginative, artistic author, Olive Ann Burns. I realy enjoyed this unfinished sequel. But don't be disappointed when the book ends in the middle of everything, it really is beautiful.

lost to us forever. Such a great loss to the literary world and to all of us whose lives were enriched by COLD SASSY TREE. I was shocked when the story came abuptly to an end because I realized that so did the life of this wonderful author. Sure, I knew it before I read it! But I still had to see what came next, even if it would be unfinished. I have my imagination and I think often of how the story would have ended if the author was still with us.

Anyone who has read Cold Sassy should read this unfinished sequel...it is enjoyable and fun to return to that familiar territory inhabited by all the charming, really REAL characters. In a strange way they had become my friends and how enjoyable to see them again. Their lives will always be a mystery now and they will always pay tribute to this courageous woman who stuggled to finish this novel for our enjoyment.These books sit in a place of honor on my bookshelf and you can be sure I will read them over and over.

Those who have read the marvelous "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns will be sorely disappointed by this sequel. There is none of the charm and story telling mastery of the original novel in this pitiful book. It seems to be put together hastily and by people who did not care that it would bring shame to the original. Olive Ann was ailing when she wrote the few chapters of this sequel and it is almost as if a different person were writing it. It seems rushed and does a wonderful job of destroying the main characters that the original developed so beautifully. If you have read Cold Sassy Tree and are wondering whether or not to read this sequel, be warned, if you read it you would have a bad taste in your mouth and will feel cheated.
This book will take away from the warmth that you felt when you finished reading the fine book, Cold Sassy Tree.

Those who decided to go ahead and print these few chapters did Olive Ann Burns and her readers a disservice.

(LEAVING COLD SASSY is the unfinished sequel to Cold Sassy Tree with Reminiscence by Katrina Kenison)

After author Olive Ann Burns' first book, Cold Sassy Tree, became an instant hit when it was published in 1984, it received overwhelming accolades from readers and critics across the country. Everyone wanted a sequel, and Burns, who was struggling with cancer and later, congestive heart failure, wanted to write it. But she was the world's most particular writer: she had spent years writing and re-writing her first book, yet she hoped to have the sequel done by 1991. Bedridden for months at a time, finally losing her lifetime love, Andy Sparks, whom she'd met at The Atlanta Constitution and Journal, Burns fought against time to finish the sequel, called Time, Dirt, and Money.

But she had barely finished the first 14 chapters when she died quite suddenly at her and her husband's mountain retreat--The Write House, in Commerce, Georgia. So Mariner Books has put together both books, Cold Sassy Tree and its unfinished sequel in two soft cover editions to be re-issued September 2007. There readers can at least get a glimpse into the lives of Will Tweedy and his bride, Sanna, ten years after the first book ended.

This is a more grownup Will talking, his dialect rectified by schooling, but his appetites for resistant women just as powerful as in his childhood. His stubbornness and determination to win Sanna remind us of his Grandpa Blakeslee's stubbornness and determination to marry whomever he wanted, too. This book has no similar strong character like Grandpa to carry it, but Burn was planning to use Will's Aunt Loma to take his place. How it would have turned out, we'll never know.

But even more interesting than the fiction, I found Olive Ann's biography written by her friend, Katrina Kenison, to be a wonderful insight into the author's character, with all her quirks, optimism and determination.

Armchair Interviews says: read both books for a delightful journey into one writer's character and her favorite people.

Loved it and was very disappointed when it ended. The story about the life and death of the author was very uplifting as well as sad. What an entertaining writer and I couldn't put down Cold Sassy Tree or this half-finished sequel. Highly recommended if you enjoyed Cold Sassy Tree.

I sure was left wanting more! I loved Cold Sassy Tree and this partial sequel for the same reason..the telling of the tale. Some books I could just read forever because the language, the style, the feeling is all "just right". This is one of those kind!