Sweetgrass [Paperback]

Mary Alice Monroe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2010

Sweetgrass is a historic tract of land in South Carolina that has been home to the Blakely family for eight generations. But Sweetgrass—named for the indigenous grass that grows in the area—is in trouble. Taxes are skyrocketing. Bulldozers are leveling the surrounding properties. And the Blakelys could be forced to sell the one thing that continues to hold their disintegrating family together.

In this poignant novel of hope, acceptance and the powerful gift of forgiveness, Mary Alice Monroe paints an intimate portrait of a family that must learn to unravel old patterns and weave together a new future.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When his domineering father, Preston, suffers a stroke, environmentalist Morgan reluctantly returns to help run Sweeetgrass, the aging family plantation, even though he said he'd never go back to South Carolina after guilt over his older brother's death made him flee to Montana. Mary June, Morgan's mother, has grown estranged from her husband, but his stroke causes her to take a hard look at their past. Amid all this emotional chaos, Morgan's Aunt Adele is trying to force them to sell Sweetgrass to developers. Once again, Monroe, author of Skyward (2003), makes expert use of metaphors as she weaves the story of the region's Sweetgrass baskets into the story, and subtly addresses the urgent need to protect the environment. Monroe makes her characters so believable, the reader can almost hear them breathing. The lush details in this prodigal-son tale bring the low-country setting to life, and flashbacks tell the story of a young love rediscovered. Readers who enjoy such fine southern voices as Pat Conroy will add the talented Monroe to their list of favorites. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Skyward is a soaring, passionate story of loneliness and pain and the simple ability of love to heal and transcend . . ." -- Anne Rivers Siddons

"The Book Club skillfully weaves the individual story threads into a warm, unified whole that will appeal to readers . . ." -- Library Journal

"Mary Alice Monroe writes from her heart to the hearts of her readers. It is a quality of emotional honesty . . ." -- Charleston Post & Courier

"With its evocative, often beautiful prose and keen insights into family relationships, Monroe's latest is an exceptional and heartwarming work." -- Publishers Weekly starred review on The Beach House

"With novels like this one and The Book Club, Mary Alice Monroe continues to be one of the leaders . . ." -- Midwest Book Review on The Four Seasons --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Mira; Original edition (May 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778328074
• ISBN-13: 978-0778328070
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Alice Monroe is known for her intimate portrayals of women's lives and keen eye to setting. Monroe brings to life the many colorful people and the compelling story layers of her home--Charleston and the the beaches of the lowcountry.


Mary Alice Monroe's books have achieved several best seller lists including the New York Times, SIBA, and USA Today. She has served on the faculty of numerous writer's conferences and retreats and is a frequent speaker. She serves on the board of the South Carolina Aquarium, the Leatherback Trust, and the Charleston Volunteers for Literacy. Her first children's book received several awards, including the ASPCA Henry Bergh award. In 2008 Monroe was awarded the prestigious SC Center for the Book Award for Fiction.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Family Saga February 20, 2006

By Wantz Upon A Time Reviews

Format:Hardcover

Sweetgrass is a former plantation that has been in the Blakely family for generations. Twenty-first century urbanization now threatens the Carolina Lowlands, and Sweetgrass is one of the few remaining marshy areas along the Eastern Seaboard.

When family patriarch Preston Blakely suffers a crippling stroke, the family begins to divide over the devastating choices to be made for the land's future. Prodigal son, Morgan, returns from a long hiatus from the family to find his aunt and brother-in-law ready to sell Sweetgrass to a development company, for the family's good, of course.

Monroe guides the reader through the Blakely-family's struggle to survive illness, economic dilemmas, and the ever-growing pressure of urban sprawl. Each character faces the challenges of growth, and the story spans numerous facets without overwhelming the reader. This novel only seems lacking in some aspects of Morgan's story, which could have been flushed out with only a little more effort.

With her usual lush writing, Mary Alice Monroe delivers another emotional punch, while opening readers' eyes to very real issues.

-C.W.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Escape to the Low Country July 12, 2005

By Annie VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Sweetgrass, named for the grasss that is grown in the area, is a very special piece of land that has been in the Blakely family for eight generations but is now in danger of being lost forever and replaced by housing developments.

Mary June is torn about her feelings about losing Sweetgrass. She has many happy memories about the land but there are also some tragedies that haunt her.

Preston, Mary Junes husband, is ill and is not able to fight for the land that has meant so much to him.

Nan, living in a marriage that has held her back is now beginning to see how much her family and legacy means to her.

Morgan, the long lost son, returned out of obligation to his family to help out but soon figures out that Sweetgrass is in his blood and he must fight to keep it.

Against them all is Hank, Nans husband and Adele, Prestons sister. They both are willing to do just about anything to get Sweetgrass for themselves to develop.

Mary Alice Monroe once again writes an uforgettable story set in the South Carolina Low Country that tells of love, forgiveness, and the strengh of a family.

If you are a fan of southern fiction, there are few authors who evoke the kind of love and effection for this very special land like Mary Alice Monroe does. Treat yourself to this book, or any of her other titles such as - Plantation or The Beach House and you will not be sorry.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story! August 22, 2005

By Robin V. Schenck

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I ordered this book for my mother's birthday and she loved it! Now I am reading it and find the story oh so southern (like Mom) and so very charming. The characters come right out of any small southern town with all the family issues one who expect and include: greed, love, devotion and the return of the prodigal son. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys this type of reading.