Customer Reviews

Low Country

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I was very surprised to see all the negative reviews for "Low Country". I personally thought it was one of Anne Rivers Siddons' best books ever. I agree with the readers that say that her genre is somewhat predictable, but that is what makes her books almost comforting. I, for one, like happy endings. I loved "Colony" and "Fault Lines" and put this one on the same level. She chooses her surroundings carefully, but her characters always seem to be a part of their area. Any woman who has been through a crisis that shakes her marraige to the bone and makes her grow as woman and a partner can relate to her books.

After enjoying "Colony" so much last year I eagerly looked forward to this latest novel. I found I had to struggle to finish the book and was very disappointed at the lack of imagination at the end. Obviously this book did not inspire me to read anything further by Siddons.

Too much melodrama in this novel. Too many over-the-top characters. My favorite is the Jewish-Cuban-with-an-Italian-name, who minutes after meeting the wife of his boss, calls him "Mengele" to her face. Come on! Although i read some very nice passages, this book is nothing more than a glorified romance novel from the supermarket shelf.

I've read many of Anne Rivers Siddons books. This one wasn't really my favorite of all, but it kept me interested enough to stick with the story.

Caroline Venable had the lovely island plantation which she inherited from her grandfather whom she was very close to. But when her husband's company threatened to buy it out, and make a theme park out of it, Caroline had to fight every step of the way for it. But her fight won't be won without some hurt feelings along the way. Hopefully, she and Clay's marriage will survive her fight for the land.

The beauty of South Carolina and the islands of its outer banks is presented with tenderness and a love that the author can't hide.

Caroline Venable has fond memories of her time spent with her grandaddy on the island. It is a magical place where ponies run wild and the marshes sing with exultant airs; it lies among the reeds and bull rushes in an untouched state. Caroline's life holds a dark secret, and the turmoil is coming to a head, as the island is threatened to be developed by the person she would least suspect.

Siddons has produced a wonderful book with characters that employ your attention from the start. If you enjoy this authors writing, another superb book is COLONY. Kelsana 11/23/01

I loved Up Island. Now I have read Downtown and Low Country and I find it hard to believe that they were written by the same author as Up Island. While reading Low Country, and forcing myself to finish it I have come to the conclusion that Anne Rivers Siddons just cannot write. There were paragraphs that were so ridiculosly written that I would read them to my husband and we would just crack up. She introduces characters and forgets them (Lottie, Carter among others). She has another one transform while being out of the story for a few days (Sophia) and the most aggravating thing of all is the main character spends way too much darn time sleeping! This book made me crazy. Don't waste your time.

I have read all of Anne Rivers Siddons books, so I was eagerly anticipating this newest one. However, I was very disappointed. While this book hints at the rich imagery and phrases of Siddons's earlier novels, it doesn't come close to matching them. Caro is whiny and she goes into so many fugues where she misses her daughter that it gets annoying. If you want to read a book by this author, choose one of her excellent earlier novels and skip this one.

Ann Rivers Siddons was one of my favorite novelists. PEACHTREE ROAD was her first and her finest work. After PEACHTREE, I waited in anticipation for her next book. But it was just a different title, changed character names, and settings. So after reading 4, I became tired of her "recipe" novels. She has Southern roots. She writes about gutsy women and their choices in life. I wish she would venture outside her favorite genre in the future.

You would think Siddons was a Lowcountry native or lived in one of the many developed islands in coastal SC. Caro reminds me a lot of local women, who grew up with an appreciation of the Gullah culture and a fear of development. I still am haunted by the development of Dafuskie Island.

Siddons captures the two cultures living side by side extremely well.

I was very disappointed with Ms. Siddons' latest novel. Although I usually read her books in a couple of days (if not all in one night), the first half of this book dragged on. It did pick up during the second half, however the plot and ending were predictable.