The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc : A Novel [BARGAIN PRICE] (Paperback)

~ (Author) "SISSY STEPPED INTO the main terminal of the New Orleans airport and was captured by that Louisiana aroma that encircle her memory and swept her..." (more)
Key Phrases: pickled watermelon rinds, telephone truck, yellow sundress, Billy Joe, Betty Ruth, Amy Lou (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

While most readers may not immediately recognize the author's name, many will be familiar with her TV work. She's written for Dynasty, The Waltons, Love Boat, and Knots Landing and is probably best known for the "Who Shot J.R.?" episode of Dallas. Her television background serves her well in this debut novel. Her timing is excellent and the plot twists are both delightful and surprising. Sissy LeBlanc lives by a code she calls "The Southern Belle's Handbook." When a pithy idea pops into her head, she instinctively knows how that code applies to her life. Sissy understands her role as granddaughter of a suffragette, daughter of a newspaper editor, wife of PeeWee, and mother of three, but lately she's been feeling restless. When her high school sweetheart comes back to Gentry, LA, after a 14-year absence, Sissy decides that it is time to make some changes in her life if they cause a little scandal, so be it. Readers may be reminded of the movies Fried Green Tomatoes and Something To Talk About. Despres's heroine has spunk, her villains get their comeuppance, and her ending is psychologically satisfying. Recommended for public libraries with large collections of women's fiction. Pam Kingsbury, Florence, AL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

This debut novel by prominent television writer Despres (whose credits include the infamous "Who Shot J. R.?" episode of Dallas) tells the story of an unhappy housewife and the trouble she stirs up while conducting an adulterous love affair during the long, hot summer of 1956. Set in the small southern town of Gentry, Louisiana, this tale of lust, jealousy, and regret unfolds playfully amid a colorful cast of eccentric small-town characters. And although the story maintains a humorous bent, it doesn't shy away from addressing serious issues, such as racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and sexual abuse. Sissy LeBlanc, married for 14 years to a man she detests and mother of three children she can barely stand, finds herself bored, lonely, and up for some excitement. Conveniently, her old high-school sweetheart mysteriously appears back in town. Their reacquaintance sets in motion a series of events that reveals shocking secrets and hard truths for many of the story's main characters. Fans of romance and contemporary women's fiction will especially enjoy this rather quirky novel. Kathleen Hughes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; 1st Perenn edition (August 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060505885
• ASIN: B0002MKEES
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,184,643 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real deal, April 24, 2002

By	Theresa Mcdonald "Terri McDonald" (new orleans) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc: A Novel (Hardcover)

As much as I love living down here in the Deep South I enjoy reading a good book about it even more. This was one of the rare books set in the South that accurately portrayed and didn't make us look like charicatures of our real selves.

Set in rural Gentry, Louisiana Sissy's story is essentially a flash back to her early adult years when she was trapped in a loveless marriage with PeeWee LeBlanc, a man she never really loved in the first place. This particualar summer her high school sweetheart returns to Gentry and stirs up his and Sissy's desire once again. Throughout the book we see views of young Sissy in high school and of adult Sissy struggling to be the reputable wife and mother while fighting her feelings for Parker. These glimpses show just how Sissy ended up stuck in Gentry with PeeWee and often make you wonder which was the scandalous summer - her high school one or the one that is the "main" focus of the story.

This was a most entertaining and often enlightening read. There were some very dark themes in the book but they were well handled and balanced by all the good Southern charm and humor dispersed through out. I look forward to more from this author.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sissy Rocks!, December 8, 2001

By	Richard Walter (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc: A Novel (Hardcover)

Sissy is sexy, sassy, savvy, and sweetly, seductively sinful. Ain't nobody--certainly no mere man--push her 'round. Here is honey-dipped hilarity from start to finish, with much to say about the way men and women get along and, perhaps more pertinently, the way they do not. Loraine Despres writes with a Southern-fried quill that flows with characters who are fiercely, wholly, completely human. Sissy Leblanc's Scandalous Summer is laff-out-loud funny and keenly erotic. Its author serves up a feast, a banquet, that pops and sizzles with dialog that is so sharp you should read it with a supply of BandAids at the ready.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caution ~~ you won't be able to put this one down!, April 26, 2002

By	Busy Mom (Ohio) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc: A Novel (Hardcover)

I happened to see this book and knew that it was going to be a fun read ~~ it has all the ingredients I look for in a book ~~ saucy, sexy and hilarious. Sissy LeBlanc, without trying to, stirs up trouble wherever she goes. Married to PeeWee, Sissy realizes that she is bored in her marriage. When a high school flame breezed in from out of town, she hooks up with him and trouble ensues in their path.

It has the perfect characters ~~ there is the wimpy husband, Peewee who could never stand up to his father, there's the father-in-law who is evil to the core; there is the psychopathic older son, Chip, who uses his mother's trangressions to his benefits, as well as torturing people and dogs with his chemistry set; the adorable middle son, Billy Joe and the cute little daughter, Marilee. There is Parker, the old high school flame who could never get Sissy out of his mind; Belle, the sassy grandmother who is proud of her granddaughter; the cousin who is of mixed race and how Sissy trys to help her to get ahead to college. There is the typical nosey-body neighbor who couldn't wait to tell Peewee about his wife's sin ... and so forth. These characters will stick with you long after the last page is turned.

Written with typical southern dry wit and humor ~~ this book is absolutely perfect for people to take on vacation. You'll fall in love with Sissy and her pickled watermelon rinds. You'll enjoy reading about her scandalous summer in 1956 where she shocked everyone in Gentry with her love affair with Parker. You'll find yourself rooting for her as well. This is just a great book to read! It was a near-miss for me ~~ one that I am glad to have picked up!...