Leaving Cold Sassy (Paperback)

by Olive Ann Burns (Author) "AT THE time of her death in 1990, Olive Ann Burns had been working for five years on a sequel to her best-selling novel, Cold..." (more)
Key Phrases: Olive Ann, Miss Klein, Cold Sassy Tree (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This unfinished sequel to Cold Sassy Tree includes a reminiscence by Burns's editor, Katrina Kenison.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
When her long and valiant fight against cancer and congestive heart failure came to an end, Burns's last wish was that the finished chapters of the sequel to Cold Sassy Tree ( LJ 10/15/84) might reach her many faithful readers in published form. Leaving Cold Sassy honors that wish, but it represents an act of homage rather than a finished work of fiction. The extant 15 chapters are obviously in need of tightening and polishing, and the reader must depend on the editor's notes to learn of Burns's plans for the novel; the actual text barely introduces the story. Burns intended to tell, again in Will Tweedy's (her father's) voice, the fictionalized story of her parents' marriage--sorely tried by Depression poverty, incompatibility, and her father's infidelities, yet finally successful. Fans of Cold Sassy Tree will enjoy the affectionate recollections of Burns's editor and friend, which constitute one third of the text. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/92.
- Anneliese Schwarzer, formerly with "Library Journal"
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Delta; FIRST EDITIION FIRST PRINTING edition (February 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385312202
• ISBN-13: 978-0385312202
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #333,036 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Editor maintains integrity of novel after Burns' death., August 23, 1998

By A Customer

After reading and loving "Cold Sassy Tree," I was eager but apprehensive about reading the sequel because I knew that she had not lived to finish the work. After all, I had read novels which reflected an attempt to retain the style and focus of an novel after the orginal author had died; often I had been disappointed or underwhelmed.

The novel itself stops at the point where the author's life ended. At that point, though, the reader is given her notes which reveal how the book would have ended. If you can imagine having to leave a party early or move away from friends, having to rely on someone close to the action for a true account, this is the feel of the novel.

The wonderful surprise, however, surfaces in the last of the book, where her editor (agent? I don't have the copy nearby) tells Olive Ann Burns' story. And what an inspiration it is to read about this woman who kept working because her readers really wanted to know what happened to the characters she had created. My initial reaction upon completing the book was a thank you for the integrity with which the book was handled.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite a sequel, but so much more, June 1, 2001

By	Kristi P. Vega "Kristi P. Vega" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For those looking to satisfy their curiousity over what happens to Will Tweedy, sadly, this book doesn't quite give enough. What it does provide, however, is a the beautiful story of Olive Ann Burns, and how she came to write Cold Sassy Tree. Of course, the sad truth is that Ms. Burns didn't live to finish Will Tweedy's story. What she did write is just as entertaining as the first novel.

The rest of the book is a kind of biography of Olive Ann Burns, of how she came to write the book, the personal meaning the story held for her, and how being an author affected her life. I found her life fascinating, and the personal anecdotes charming, humorous, and so insightful.

For any woman who seriously thinks of writing a novel, this book is inspirational. So many times while reading this book, I saw myself in Ms. Burns, and took her words to heart. There is much to learn from her writing experiences, her writing process, her perspective on writing. Not the least of which is the touching and very compelling lesson--that you should not put off your dreams, your intentions to write, or whatever it is you hope to achieve in this life.

I wish there were more to read by this author--her stories make me laugh and cry, and always make me think about life. What more could you want from a book?

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could give two different ratings for this book, December 12, 2001

By	Nadyne Mielke (Mountain View, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wish I could give this book two different ratings. As a sequel to "Cold Sassy Tree", it fails miserably. It is unevenly written, and the story just doesn't flow very well.

However, as a tribute to the author and the sensation she sparked with the original book, it succeeds magnificently. Instead of learning what happens next to Will Tweedy, we learn about the author. It is amazing to me that the author wrote the original text while fighting cancer. I can barely manage to write a quick email when I just have a small cold!

If you are really expecting a sequel to "Leaving Cold Sassy", you will be well-served to pass up this book. If, however, you are interested in the author behind the book, you will find a reasonably satisfying answer to that question.