Sort of a literary, historical "Home Alone." Through a series of misunderstandings, young Lucy Gault's parents, thinking she has perished, leave her behind at their Irish country house. A beautiful and moving novel.

I picked this up the other day at the Starbucks in South Windermere, where there always seems to be a good selection of books. Though the coffee is typical Starbucks fair, I like that there are books left there for people (like me) to pick up and read. I've heard that there are other coffee shops in town that do the same, so I shall go on a quest for the best coffee and books in Charleston.

Survey says:

Best single origin coffee: Kudu African Coffee downtown

Best Viet Namese coffee (but no books) Bin Mah

Best blended coffee Muddy Water Coffee on the way to Folly Beach

Prettiest outside setting (but no books) Live Oak Coffee

I will leave this book one of these places soon

CAUGHT IN FOLLY BEACH

Woot! Look what showed up at Muddy Waters! And I found it!!!! After the following this book has gained in Site Watch, I'm very excited to have it in my hot little hands. Kiptrix is gonna be green with envy, as she's been checking up on it. But it's mine, all mine, she says rubbing her hands together in great glee!

Hey Petezoe! Can you join us this month at Muddy Waters? August 12 at 2pm. Hope so!

What a beautiful and tragic story. It is a short book, but the pages packed. I found myself wanting to race to find out what happened and how the story would reveal itself, but at the same time wanting to savor slowly the images created by the writing. Characters all richly fleshed out, shaped by sorrow. I shall have to go back and read this again, for the pieces I know I rushed past. This could have been a totally maudlin tale, but is instead skillfully told. Lucy, her parents, Ralph, Bridget and her husband Henry (who had the one line in the book that made me laugh out loud--"As often it was, his face was empty of expression even when he spoke. 'More happens in a ham,' Bridget's father had once said about Henry's face." I read that and hooted, for it's exactly as I had pictured him.)

This book was Shortlisted for the Booker Prize. I need to go see what beat it out that year.

Anyhow, Kiptrix and MartiP have each expressed an interest in this, so I shall let them duke it out at the next meetup on August 12!

Bringing with me today to the Meetup at Muddy Waters. (Bumma did try and read this in the meantime, but found it depressing and elected not to finish it or journal on it. She doesn't like to have to write and say she doesn't like something!)

I took this home from our BC meeting this afternoon. Look forward to reading it, and I'll give MartiP the same opportunity as soon as possible.

What a lovely book! Bookczuk described it very well. Yes, it was sad, but I had to keep reading to see what the future held for Lucy and the other characters. Beautifully written.

I'll bring this to our next BC meeting, and see if MartiP still wants to read it.

Given to MartiP at our BC meeting on Saturday afternoon.

I've been hit and miss on Man Booker Prize winners - some I've loved, and some not so much. I've heard very good things about this one, though, and look forward to reading it.