River Jordan [Kindle Edition]

Augusta Trobaugh (Author)

Book Description

"[The] South blooms again in Augusta Trobaugh's River Jordan." -The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)Sometimes a family grows from the most unlikely of friends. A lonely little girl living with a strict stepfather and mother. A woman just released from prison, seeking a job and a new purpose for her life. An aging matriarch with a sense of humor and a compassionate heart. Sit a spell by the gentle river of their merged lives. By the acclaimed author of Sophie and the Rising Sun (available in unabridged audiobook narrated by the late Rue McClanahan) and other Southern novels. Her next novel is Music From Beyond The Moon. Augusta Trobaugh has been nominated for Georgia Author of the Year, among many other honors.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Family secrets, redemption, and the power of love are Trobaugh's themes in this affecting novel set in a small southern town in the not-too-distant past. Jordan is a thoughtful and dreamy child, who escapes her stepfather's coldness and her mother's distance through the understanding of Peony, the family cook, whose last name, probably not coincidentally, is also Jordan. Peony's sister, Pansy, newly released from prison after serving time for accidentally killing her abusive husband, finds a place caring for Miss Amylee, Jordan's elderly grandmother. These African American, flower-named sisters, with their good cooking, good manners, and deep religious faith, find ways of dealing with a recalcitrant teen waitress, with Miss Amylee's fading attention, and with their beloved but simpleminded brother. Trobaugh's prose is deft and sweet: "'My name is Isaiah' [he] said in a way that made the word float out into the air all decorated with little curlicues." A comforting read. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

With innocent, heartfelt humor, River Jordan provides gentle escape for Southern readers of all generations. -- Southern Living

[The] South blooms again in Augusta Trobaugh’s River Jordan. -- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 450 KB
• Print Length: 198 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 161194094X
• Publisher: Bell Bridge Books (February 14, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007A4CQCY
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #423,568 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars beautiful southern writing BUT confusing April 21, 2004

By mamareadssomuch

Format:Hardcover

I loved SWAN PLACE by Trobaugh and thought I'd surely enjoy her new book. While the writing is flowing and superb in its detail, it leaves much of the plot amiss for the reader. At least it did for me.

First of all there are way too many Jordan references. Jordan is a young girl who lives with her mother and stepfather. Their househelper, Peony has the last name Jordan. Peony's sister is named Pansy Jordan but she has a fantastic dream and changes her name to River Jordan because she feels she needs to go there someday. Follow?

Jordan's parents go to Savannah on a trip and she gets to stay with Pansy and AmyLee (her stepfather's mother) which she enjoys. Then Gertie and her beau, Bill, come into the picture and well, the gang heads out of town to help the couple.

All through the story, Jordan has 'spells' and her mother administers castor oil on a daily basis. Her illness is never fully explained and is thought of as imagination. Oh it's just so confusing.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining July 29, 2008

By Tonya Speelman VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

River Jordan

This read starts out with a woman named Pansy, who is in jail for the murder of her husband. She was beat by him repeatedly and didn't mean for him to fall and hit is head, causing his death. In the end, when someone is dead, someone will pay the consequences. Pansy gets a visit from the Lord, telling her she is to be baptized in the River Jordan. Not sure what this means, Pansy gets freed and goes to live temporarily with Miss Amylee, a position of caretaker her sister Peony has arranged for her.

Then we have Jordan, who's mother is married to the son of Miss Amylee. Jordan has spells where she goes to another land, and they give her castor oil for this.

Gertie is another character, spoiled and just wants to get out of the town. So she goes on a date with a construction worker and you will have to read the rest to find out the best parts of this book!

I did enjoy this book. I gave it 4 stars because I didn't understand why Jordan had the spells, I didn't understand the stepdad and his lack of warmth. It was touched on in the book, but I have felt kind of lacking for a conclusion. A good read though no doubt! ENJOY!!

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ms. Trobaugh has done it again! February 23, 2004

By JJ VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

What a wonderful book!!! Ms. Trobaugh I hope that you read this so you will know how much I have loved & enjoyed all your books. This one is as good as the others and maybe even a little bit better. The south, with all its eccentric characters, is at it's very best & most beautiful in your books. Your characters are precious & I wish that I knew Aunt Rose & her girls personally, but especially River. Please write more like this.