Customer Reviews

The Red Hat Club Rides Again

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Red Hat Club Rides Again"(by Haywood Smith) is a fun read and a nice little diversion for gals of a certain age(ahem).Six 50 somethings take to the road, the air and the sea for some wild adventures and fun times. For over 30 years they've been sharing each others joys and woe, and you get the feeling this will continue for the rest of their lives.

In this book, they stand by their buddies through sickness and health,and through good times and bad. They take Vegas by storm, as they rescue one of their own from a drug addiction, they even go to group counseling to help a friend through rough spots and are there in force when one falls ill. A cruise ship doesn't know what it is in for with our gals aboard, stirring up some merry mischief and tantalizing times.

Although I thought there were times when there was just a little too much detail on the togetherness(for example, one did the others "colors" and we have to read through each and every color they try on to see how they look in it),Miss Smith fills the pages with a wonderful humor and will take you away from the everyday hum drum of life for a while.At some points, she goes back to their youth, so we get a good idea of how long and what these ladies have been through together, to bring them to the closeness they still enjoy. The adventures these Red Hats take us on, mix the comedic with the poignant times. They of course are a little far fetched, but fun none the less. Miss Smith even includes a nice low-carb recipe for Dark Chicken Salad at the end of the book.

If you have enjoyed a friendship or friendships over the years, that have taken you through the highs and lows of your life, you will certainly understand how these gals feel about each other.

Enjoy the read....Laurie

more recommended reading:
Senior Citizens Writing: A Workshop and Anthology, with an Introduction and Guide for Workshop Leaders

Angela's Ashes: A Memoir of a Childhood

Back When We Were Grownups

I absolutely loved this book. It's a story of friendship and love - no matter what - and it's told so wonderfully by Ms. Smith. I laughed until I had tears streaming down my face - and then laughed some more. And I cried.

I was right there with them through every trial, tribulation, and joy.

I want to join the Red Hat Club!

Though the membership are all in their fifties, the Red Hats still meet every month for lunch though their choice of locale has changed somewhat since Teeny has twenty million earned during the Clinton stock market boom to waste. Instead of always a high class Atlanta area location, the group also meets elsewhere incuding the Bahamas though that was part of a month long plastic-surgery extreme makeovers cruise.

When member Pru breaks the substance abuse tenet of the twelve commandments, her southern sisters (Georgia, SuSu, Diane, Linda, and of course Teeny - someone has to pay for this extravaganza) ignoring tradition 5 of minding your own business, converge on Las Vegas. Sin City is not prepared for the invasion of the Red Hats who plan to intervene and kidnap Pru so that they can take her to clean herself up in the Rockies at an exclusive rehab center, but first they must play the slots.

The Red Hat Club once again proves that life begins at fifty as these Southern steel magnolias refuse to allow time or family relationships to interfere with their long time friendships. The current tale is intriguingly deep yet irreverent as the members satirically assault anything in their way, just ask Elton John, who will surely wear a red hat in his next public appearance. Haywood Smith provides a warm delightful tale of strong friendships that mean helping one another live life to the fullest.

Harriet Klausner

I'm from the South and of a certain age to appreciate every single predicament, emotion and conversation this lovely cadre of friends share. I love that they've stayed close since junior high and that they work on their bonds.

Each of the women has her own story, but I swear, I loved them all.

The main plot of "saving" their lost friend in Vegas seemed ancillary to me, but it didn't get in the way of the girls' converstaions, which made me laugh out loud.

What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the banquette during their monthly lunches!

I'll read every adventure these gals have.

Enjoy!

Most are familiar with the historic warning cry, "The Redcoats are coming! "The Redcoats are coming!" Today, according to author Haywood Smith (born Anne Haywood Pritchett), the rallying cry should be "The Red Hats are coming! The Red Hats are coming!"

What is it about Southern women (Steel Magnolias, Being Dead Is No Excuse, etc) that makes them such fascinating protagonists? Don't know what their secret is - just that it works.

"The Red Hat Club Rides Again" is a tribute to all women in midlife who have suffered a few setbacks and bounced back. (It's a bit like the bravado song "I'm Still Here.) Of course, not all in that age group are fortunate enough to have a multi millionairess gal pal who can grease any number of wheels and make life a lark. So, reality isn't an issue here. If you enjoy an imaginative romp, give a listen to this group as they set sail for a plastic surgery cruise and jet off to Las Vegas to rescue a friend.

Cynthia Darlow deserves a sequin embroidered red hat for her entertaining voice performance - never too much drawl, always pinpoint articulation and timing.

- Gail Cooke

A great "light" read. If you liked The Red Hat Club, you will enjoy the sequel. Some of the adventures had me laughing outloud. If you haven't read the first in the series, you may be a little lost in keeping the characters straight. I hope the author keeps writing about this group of friends, they are not your run of the mill red hat wearing ladies!!

Great book, lots of fun! These are well writen fun books that are a brief departure in the 'chic lit' genre from reading about single girls problems with boys, friends, and jobs. Enjoy!

A truly fantastic read! This book speaks to women of all ages, drawing you in immediately. How can you not love the Red Hats? Impossible to put down, I read it in one night- you simply can not go to sleep without knowing exactly how the story of the Buckhead Babes will end. George, Susu, Linda, Dianne and Teeny could all easily be your very best friends and their troubles are ones that you could face tomorrow. Easy to relate to, wonderfully entertaining- the perfect literary equivalent of a chick flick. The story is a terrific take on everlasting friendship and this book is a definate must-read! Enjoy...

I love this book - such a great novel detailing the friendship and bonds of a group of women over the years. I'll be re-reading it!

This was my second Haywood Smith book and I enjoyed it just as much as the first one! Haywood has managed to convey every woman's desire for the kind of friendship these ladies enjoy! I certainly wouldn't mind any one of them and ahem, would truly enjoy a down-to-earth wealthy friend. Ha, ha. Dream on. I thank Haywood for taking me a bit out of reality to a fun diversion.