After reading Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman, I'm inclined to think that Ms. Hoffman loves the South. Although her novel begins with 12 year old CeeCee living in Ohio with her parents, we soon learn that her mother longs to be back home in the South lamenting often that living in the North isn't living at all. CeeCee's life is tragic because her parent's lives are also tragic. Her father is often away leaving CeeCee alone with her crazy mother. You'll quickly realize that life in Ohio is a train wreck waiting to happen. Indeed, after her mother's accident, CeeCee is swept away to live with her wealthy, southern great aunt Tallulah. This book can be over-the-top sweet unless you are a fan of southern charm novels. It is interspersed with underlying tensions such as southern racism, mean-spirited ladies, and the loss of CeeCee's parents. The story moves along from one vignette to another, one character's story to another, but the end result is satisfactory. You'll cheer on CeeCee and Oletta, the African American cook and housekeeper, as they take on one challenge after another. I was troubled by the lack of young friends for CeeCee, with one exception. She seemed to be happy being swept up in the Savannah ladies' circles for most of this book. It is a nice story on many levels. I hope you'll enjoy it too.
Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm
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