Customer Reviews

Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes is a charming collection of stories that range from sweetly sentimental tear-jerkers to laugh out loud funny slice-of-life tales. And, best of all, there isn't a dud in the entire bunch. All of the stories were obviously written with love and each is an author's memory of living in the South. The book is broken up into three sections titled: Precious Memories, Family Portraits (wow, do these ladies have some nutty relatives and neighbors!) and Beloved Critters. Being an animal lover the "Beloved Critters" section contained some of my favorite stories in the collection. The hands down winner for me was Donna Ball's UP JUMPS THE DEVIL. It's about a big, slobbering, affectionate dog that sends an entire town into an uproar and gives one grasping old bitty her comeuppance. This story had me in stitches and will be reread whenever I'm in dire need of a good laugh. The book is a little pricey, at $14.95 for only 171 pages of storytelling, but I feel its stories are worth splurging on (or saving for).

This book is worth the price. I was only part way done with it, when I had to e-mail my friends and tell them all about it. I was chuckling and sighing through the stories, and enjoying it every bit, good enough to read aloud. And when I do, I swear I start to have a bit of a twang in my words, even though I'm not from the South. The authors' voices are sure and strong, the stories are funny and heartwarming, and I really can't say enough good things about them.

This is a book sure to get you out of a funk. In particular, "Up Jumps the Devil," by Donna Ball had me falling off my chair because I was laughing so hard! I must have been pretty loud, too, because my husband ran up wondering what all the commotion was about. Of course, I gave him the book, and had the prime opportunity to see him fall off his chair, too. Good job, ladies! I'm buying this book for my relatives in North Carolina, Florida, and Texas, and sending it to them.

"Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes" is a book of short stories. The kind of stories that family and close friends tell at reunions. The kind of stories in which truth is stranger and funnier than fiction.

You'll walk to Bible School with children in the depression. You'll wait at home with the women while the men folk go hunting. You'll see both sides of the long standing feud between a southern woman and her in-laws. You'll meet a mixed breed black dog named Lucifer who went to a picnic and a revival.

Get a glass of sweet tea, and sit in a rocker by the fireplace. Rock your way back in time with five southern women storytellers as your tour guide. You're sure to end each story with a smile on your face and a contented sigh.

Published May 2000 by BelleBooks, authors Deborah Smith, Donna Ball, Nancy Knight, Sandra Chastain, Debra Dixon, Virginia Ellis.

I love the title of this book so much! This is a book of stories by Southern women writers. A lot of the stories really struck a chord with me. I laughed. I cried. The stories that stuck with me are "Grandma Tells a Tale," "Fingerprints," "Cookie the One-Eyed Horse," "Grandpapa's Garden," and "Sweet Tea." They are everything that is good about Southern fiction: strong sense of place, interesting characters, tug at your heartstrings, quirky, and just plain Southern.

I needed a break, a short, fun break from all the nutrition and health books I've been reading lately. "Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes" gave just what I needed. It's a delightful collection of anecdotes, the kind you tell when your family gets together for a reunion and that usually start off "Hey, remember that time when Aunt so-and-so did such-and-such?" All infused with Southern flavor.

Come and cry, laugh, and smile as the authors transport you to the South. You only need a stay a little while, as the stories are only about 5-10 pages on average (perfect for a short story before you go to sleep!)

"Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes" is a charming, fun-filled nostalgic look at life in the South. It is down to earth, funny and refreshing. The six author's stories made me look at my family with new eyes and new chuckles.

One of my all-time favorites. If you are Southern, you cannot help but identify with these charming stories. If you are not Southern, this will give you a true peek into our culture.

This book is the epitome of everything that is good and decent in this world. The stories speak to your heart and leave the reader wanting more. At the book's end, I found myself hungry for more. I want to know what else happened to these wonderful, delightful people. I simply wasn't satisfied with the small glimpses into their lives. I needed more tales to satisfy my craving. The stories were extremely humorous, but at the same time, gave life lessons to all of us. I sincerely hope there is a part two book in the offing! Hats off to some very talented ladies.

Open the cover of this book and prepare to enter the real South. Through this collection of short stories the authors have given us snapshots of how life is viewed by real Southerners--that is mostly with a sense of humor and always with heart. I loved this book from first page to last. Filled with love and family, quirky characters and just plain folks it's a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon. One more thing, no matter what part of the country you're from you will recognize people you have known and loved, because some things are universal.

This book is a joy. It's like having someone sit down and say "I remember..." and off goes the story. These stories are funny and poignent and gentle and enjoyable. These stories really capture the spirit of the South- the faith, the strength and the pride. This book has been added to my bookshelves and will stay there and be enjoyed for years to come. I have even bought a few extras for my relatives down south.

Well worth reading.
Enjoy