Customer Reviews

Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This is a delightful book. It took so many experiences of relocating and shed a very humorous light on them. I learned so much about Vermont, B&B's, and running a restaurant.
While from the South, I found the references to Southern ways to be so very true, we need to giggle at ourselves sometimes.
I found the universal truths in the book to come from the character development of many of the characters, but especially LeeLee. I could so relate to her in the way that she had to pull it together for her family's survival and in the process became a stronger person. Each of the main characters developed as the story unfolded, again making this book so relevant at so many levels.
I truly enjoyed reading a book that was related to real life and made me laugh at the true reality of it all!

While this novel was not the most compelling story I have ever read, I did find it to be an enjoyable book, and Ms. Patton did a nice job conveying the difference in culture that exists between Southerners and New Englanders. Having lived 9 years in New Hampshire/VT, and 8 years in Tennessee - I can relate to the stereotypes of both. I think Ms. Patton very well captures what I view as the Southern perspective on Yankees and the Southern philosopy on life in general. I'm not sure she was able to portray all the nuances of the Northerner and life in northern New England (how did she forget to mention frost heaves??) but the flavor was there. I think Ms. Patton was able to poke a little fun at both Northerners and Southerners alike, and perhaps reveal a little insight as to why we so frequently misunderstand each other's intent and nature. Overall - this was a quick fun read, and will be especially humorous to those of us who have lived both above and below the Mason Dixon line.

This is a book full of humor, love and adventure. I loved every minute of it
and read it in two days. I really look forward to Lisa's next novel and hope
it picks up where this one leaves off. A wonderful book. Congratulations,
to a great writer. No boring moments.
Joyce

Wow. Let's see. The poor wealthy debutante heroine is offered a Pepsi by the Yankee realtor. She should've KNOWN life was about to take a nose dive! I mean, come on! Is she really expected to suffer like this? Pepsi! For a Southern belle! Oh, the humanity.

Okay, kidding aside, I really wanted to like this book. But as others have pointed out, it was so riddled with stereotypes that it bordered on the ridiculous. Southern women are Steel Magnolias, y'all, and ain't no one ever gonna love you more than your sorority sisters and Daddy. Southern men are philanderin', good-lookin' devils, bless their hearts. Yankees...well, ever since the War of Northern Aggression, I think y'all know where we stand on them uptight, repressed, unfriendly fatties.

Sigh. Hard to believe this one got published. So disappointing. This book is a strike against Southern authors everywhere.

Having lived in the south all my life (eleven years of it in Memphis, TN), I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The ending was a let down; however, it left the door open for a sequel I suppose. This would be a great movie---Reese Witherspoon or Kate Hudson come to mind........ This is a light-hearted, quick read. Enjoy!

This book makes for a great weekend read. For those of us who love southern characteristics will find it amusing, though if your a true southern, you may not agree with everything. This book wittingly contrasts the charateristics of the north's personality and the south. With a touch of feminist ( her slimy husband leaving her for another woman, she has to pick up the pieces...)attitude, all in all its simply a holiday read. Not deep, but not too shallow.

While not great literature, this sure was fun to read. With abandon, Patton skewers Northerners and Southerners alike (although I did wonder how she thought that Fran Drescher sounds like a New Englander - huh?)

I liked the story of Leelee's journey.....how she rose to the challenge of running an inn in Vermont, on her own, when she never even wanted to move there. She is clever and does not dwell on her situation, but makes the best of it. She starts out totally dependent and ends up as .... a Steel Magnolia!

The author painted a lovely picture of female friendships and how they get us through the bad times. Too many authors depict their female characters in isolation and that is just unrealistic.

I loved the unusual ending too. Clever.

Funny and heartbreaking, this book kept me turning the pages. I hear a sequel is on the way and look forward to it.

I absolutely loved this book. A story about a southern woman who moves north to run an inn in Vermont, it has all of the situational humor you'd expect. But it also has wonderfully developed characters and an engaging plot. The perfect book to read while you're curled up next to a fireplace!

Highly recommended!

The people in the North and South are different! I've seen a boss from up north be presented with a birthday cake from his staff, thank them and carry that cake to his office. The next day he brought the leftovers back for the workers to "enjoy". What's thought of as manners in the South is overkill up North. But I've met some very lovely and friendly people up north, they can't help the fact that half the year they are stuck inside and don't get out enough to be comfortable with the kind of up close and personal way we do things.

This book showed the funny ways we both have of living life and taking what life gives us in stride. Being yourself and taking pride in your work is what this book was all about and enjoying those around you with all their weird ways is part of the fun!

I'm looking forward to the next book which I hope will find Peter Owen taking his fair share of southern comfort!!

I just read the customer review from a reader in CA and I find myself wondering if she read the same book?? She did admit to only skimming it! I also wonder what ever happened to civility and "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!" I am not insinuating you can't have an opinion but honestly, why be so mean spirited about it? The professional reviews have all been outstanding. Hmm... maybe they actually read it instead of just skimming it.



I loved this book! I fell in love with the warm and witty, Leelee, and was completely charmed by the quirky characters she meets along the way. The book takes you on a journey of a woman who finds herself in a horrible situation (by no choice of her own)and way out of her comfort zone! In it she finds not only the strength and gifts she didn't even know she possessed but also discovers who she is and what she is really made of. Leelee teaches us, among many things, how to have joy in the adventures and misadventures of life. The writer takes you on this journey in ways that sometimes will make you cry and other times will just make you belly laugh. I was so very sad when the book ended and like another reviewer, I simply can't wait for the sequel!


Take a lesson from Leelee. Learn to lighten up and have some fun along the way!