John and Louise Vess have conducted their lives seamlessly and honorably in the South Carolina home that has been in their family for generations. Upon John's sudden death, their daughter Annie-also a... This description may be from another edition of this product.
Pan Durban has a way with words ... and that's putting it mildly. She crafts each sentence with the same exquisite detail as a gourmet chef preparing haute cuisine -- and the results are truly delicious. This is a book to be savored and savored again. Rich lush, evocative, this author's style is captivating, lyrical, and a delight to read. Can't recommend it highly enough!
The Power of Language On Display!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
My sympathies go out to reviewers who, for whatever reasons, blame an author for their own inability (perhaps refusal) to work through complex language; it is simply an empty and wholly unfair criticism. The power of this novel is in the richness of the language. That it also tells a wonderful story is all that needs to be said about Ms. Durban's skill as a writer.DO read this book, it is an excellent, spell-binding novel that will leave you amply rewarded for your efforts, even if you, now and then, need to pull together greater powers of concentration to fully grasp the finer details. For heaven's sake don't embarrass yourself, or ruin the experience, by skimming for action!Here is something else you can do: Open the book to any page, pick any paragraph, and simply read for the love of language. You needn't have a clue about the characters, plot, or anything else, just a love of discovering language crafted in a way that will, very often, leave you breathless for its intricate beauty. It is similar, in effect, to reading poetry. One final note to all you English and Writing teachers: Passages from this book are tailor-made to be read aloud and will serve as excellent examples of how rich and powerful words can be coming from the mind of a skilled craftsperson.
Great story!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
After reading this book I went back and highlighted all of the deeply written paragraphs and read them over again. What great insight this author has to our inner thoughts and feelings that are never spoken to anyone. I have recommended this book to my friends and family.
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.