Leaving Cold Sassy: The Unfinished Sequel to Cold Sassy Tree [Hardcover]

Olive Ann Burns (Author), Katrina Kenison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1992

Fifteen chapters of an unfinished sequel to the best-selling novel Cold Sassy Tree are drawn to a conclusion by Burns's editor who also reflects on the inspiring life of Olive Ann Burns. 75,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As she battled cancer, Burns (1924-1990) completed 14 chapters of a sequel to her 1984 bestseller Cold Sassy Tree , leaving behind at her death part of a 15th chapter and notes on how she intended to develop the novel's characters and plot. This new visit to the fictional town of Cold Sassy, Ga., features the original novel's protagonist, Will Tweedy, now 25 and too dang skinny to fight in WW I. Encouraged by local matchmakers, Will nervously courts schoolteacher Sanna Klein. Although the completed chapters do not cover their marriage, the births of their four kids or their hardships, these events are foreshadowed; in fact, most of the characters are based on Burns's immediate family and the story draws on their experiences. While it's tempting to relax and enjoy the outrageous southern situations, humor and attitudes here, the knowledge that the narrative will abruptly end (leaving conflicts sadly unresolved) dictates a cautious approach. Readers should prepare for an interrupted work-in-process, an uneasy sense of a writer's voice about to be stilled. Kenison, Burns's editor and friend, has packaged this second book respectfully and affectionately, adding an overlong, eulogistic portrait in which she limns the author's creative growth and painful but productive final years. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When her long and valiant fight against cancer and congestive heart failure came to an end, Burns's last wish was that the finished chapters of the sequel to Cold Sassy Tree ( LJ 10/15/84) might reach her many faithful readers in published form. Leaving Cold Sassy honors that wish, but it represents an act of homage rather than a finished work of fiction. The extant 15 chapters are obviously in need of tightening and polishing, and the reader must depend on the editor's notes to learn of Burns's plans for the novel; the actual text barely introduces the story. Burns intended to tell, again in Will Tweedy's (her father's) voice, the fictionalized story of her parents' marriage--sorely tried by Depression poverty, incompatibility, and her father's infidelities, yet finally successful. Fans of Cold Sassy Tree will enjoy the affectionate recollections of Burns's editor and friend, which constitute one third of the text. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/92.
- Anneliese Schwarzer, formerly with "Library Journal"
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 290 pages
• Publisher: Ticknor & Fields; 1ST edition (October 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899199089
• ISBN-13: 978-0899199085
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,126,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Editor maintains integrity of novel after Burns' death., August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Leaving Cold Sassy (Paperback)

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.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could give two different ratings for this book, December 12, 2001

By 

Nadyne Richmond (Mountain View, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leaving Cold Sassy (Paperback)

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite a sequel, but so much more, June 1, 2001

By 

Kristi P. Vega "Kristi P. Vega" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leaving Cold Sassy (Paperback)

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?