![Sweetie](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sImC8oJE1nYjw_oE64fIZal9yqCk44u4wy2igUgB--Q5SqLacasGKnw-dSB5CtsbiRr5McHz1Jg1-43ffvmEQubaguOwomrRvNfCTS5AmGXFJOrfXAavWkOvMitjkptCkcXidAGQRgryKVXFdlWbjOKYZWqRLvNpkX3g_HDlJQi6kyJa5d0NhCn0echDgr5lZkyl2q3mBlmUmZNFTKd8WZ27nGZSxaN3Fedw=s0-d)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tbr0lF0hHgg5wUoza--rJ3cDyffNA1mbCJTsuvnB2XsIi-0uvLaAYgU049TF_fprLD84O8a5293aDoGfMBo0CNdNnmLLErGUhT_IErhtqd6SxUZ5HfR5Gn1V5m2E42ASbSlLn7_uuZDZRJMlXur2V40LpmvNvMd-LY9S7ttET47NDlf9g=s0-d)
Title:
Sweetie![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vdqJSF2rI4Kwn_cB8czw7YdzDfyudlGk2h4SOo4ofHjh7NFkDFUyAx0dvyBwA0_RWTCvFCNHkW_iNPZMAL_JwFX6U3fdRQz-tYOApM2G2BpmOf07SI5rxGTNZhd3JTlTFEBq6jb8Zyxo9mjaafdOPViFA88zrbJQSZywGwiA1IIY7jfA=s0-d)
Author: Kathryn Magendie
Pages: 200
Published: 2010 Bell Bridge Books
Read for: LibraryThing Early Reviewers
My Rating: 4 stars
*This book is being offered by the publisher as a free Kindle book until the end of the year! Check it out.
I'd like to introduce you to Kathryn Magendie: an author that bridges the gap between literary fiction and genre fiction, and deserves a closer look.
Magendie's writing is soothing and poetic, and is paired with a great plot that sucks you straight through the book. Apart from the first couple of pages that it took me to get into the rhythm of the book, I really didn't want to set it down. The real surprise, though--the icing on the cake, so to speak--is the balance achieved between the lyrical writing, the realistic characters, and the captivating story.
Sweetie![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vdqJSF2rI4Kwn_cB8czw7YdzDfyudlGk2h4SOo4ofHjh7NFkDFUyAx0dvyBwA0_RWTCvFCNHkW_iNPZMAL_JwFX6U3fdRQz-tYOApM2G2BpmOf07SI5rxGTNZhd3JTlTFEBq6jb8Zyxo9mjaafdOPViFA88zrbJQSZywGwiA1IIY7jfA=s0-d)
is the story of Melissa: ever the outcast: ever the new girl in the new town, who makes friends with the untamed Sweetie. It is a coming of age story, and has some heartbreaking moments that go hand-in-hand with growing up. It is a Southern novel, combining sorrowful nostalgia with just the right touch of humor. It is also a bit magical, leaving you pondering and wondering even after the story has ended.
I was surprised to find myself reading slower toward the end of the book. I didn't want it to end! (That doesn't often happen to me.) It brought to mind Fannie Flagg (
Standing in the Rainbow![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sccSeL8-iF6YkcVQ5aC_FxQWSS-8Ox9l5kev-5SpN4ePg30KodDSayPIygKeNeayToeWDi_cyfj4ivNPEIlnKL4JwDaQBzZJqtFE2yUj79MDzVx5etpeUJkx8X42BBo4LY07RYG0fnLJ0ZDMgazi2wIcli9KZVA7YYFrKYVHx3mafbgsc=s0-d)
), Lee Miller (
Fair and Tender Ladies![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uQfkPsrxT_x-flyTuZDp0qGdzI-qp0FMHlDaqOUbIVY6UnbPoQ5RT3dTtQg3JL9VI2db5EMKRHfWDmRcRU8kuoxHsjU1DuST0U7ciJ-5YFnAUqg1p9ZfjG9TugHSPhoihy7Z4HsvCoVFEp-jXmZu68XSS6nYDIDd7YDMKJLQ9OsQXCDZs=s0-d)
) and Natalie Babbitt (
Tuck Everlasting![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_to0Rax64WRjInwPRoxJ3hnY8TXzIcng0Rr5sRj1hBmu2lJt0efkq8tefCSkVh3amKHhncJtUL77MTarrXzwBb7_bjd2dloiLbDMuh-4ZD1ySsEoS2o1S2XcpNPj0xdq7scuAVvVfwxO-aH3ZCbUfR3tTNoEago1Mj10i7BAuDdcisuXvM=s0-d)
). While it was thoughtful (and all of those other adjectives I've been throwing around,) it wasn't sappy, unrealistic, or overdone. Like I said, amazingly balanced.
This is Kathryn Magendie's third novel, and the second that LibraryThing has provided me for review. Both been very enjoyable reads. I am still of the opinion that the titles and cover art chosen do not properly represent the novels they contain: the outsides are rather sickeningly sweet while the novels themselves are a nice balance of engaging plot and thoughtful prose. I am hoping that this does not impede the awareness of this up-and-coming author. I would love to see her work become more well known.
This sounds like a good read - thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteAnn
I wonder how many books are overlooked because of horrid or incongruous covers?
ReplyDelete