Leaving Cold Sassy by Olive Ann Burns Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Leaving Cold Sassy
Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book for the first time 10 years ago and am reading it again...This book should be a classic.Book Review: Great partner with Cold Sassy Tree
Summary: 4 Stars
(LEAVING COLD SASSY is the unfinished sequel to Cold Sassy Tree with Reminiscence by Katrina Kenison)
After author Olive Ann Burns' first book, Cold Sassy Tree, became an instant hit when it was published in 1984, it received overwhelming accolades from readers and critics across the country. Everyone wanted a sequel, and Burns, who was struggling with cancer and later, congestive heart failure, wanted to write it. But she was the world's most particular writer: she had spent years writing and re-writing her first book, yet she hoped to have the sequel done by 1991. Bedridden for months at a time, finally losing her lifetime love, Andy Sparks, whom she'd met at The Atlanta Constitution and Journal, Burns fought against time to finish the sequel, called Time, Dirt, and Money.
But she had barely finished the first 14 chapters when she died quite suddenly at her and her husband's mountain retreat--The Write House, in Commerce, Georgia. So Mariner Books has put together both books, Cold Sassy Tree and its unfinished sequel in two soft cover editions to be re-issued September 2007. There readers can at least get a glimpse into the lives of Will Tweedy and his bride, Sanna, ten years after the first book ended.
This is a more grownup Will talking, his dialect rectified by schooling, but his appetites for resistant women just as powerful as in his childhood. His stubbornness and determination to win Sanna remind us of his Grandpa Blakeslee's stubbornness and determination to marry whomever he wanted, too. This book has no similar strong character like Grandpa to carry it, but Burn was planning to use Will's Aunt Loma to take his place. How it would have turned out, we'll never know.
But even more interesting than the fiction, I found Olive Ann's biography written by her friend, Katrina Kenison, to be a wonderful insight into the author's character, with all her quirks, optimism and determination.
Armchair Interviews says: read both books for a delightful journey into one writer's character and her favorite people.
Book Review: I wish I could give two different ratings for this book
Summary: 3 Stars
I wish I could give this book two different ratings. As a sequel to "Cold Sassy Tree", it fails miserably. It is unevenly written, and the story just doesn't flow very well.However, as a tribute to the author and the sensation she sparked with the original book, it succeeds magnificently. Instead of learning what happens next to Will Tweedy, we learn about the author. It is amazing to me that the author wrote the original text while fighting cancer. I can barely manage to write a quick email when I just have a small cold!
If you are really expecting a sequel to "Leaving Cold Sassy", you will be well-served to pass up this book. If, however, you are interested in the author behind the book, you will find a reasonably satisfying answer to that question.
Book Review: Inspiring tale of a women's life and death
Summary: 5 Stars
I began reading Leaving Cold Sassy because, like many others, I wanted to find out what became of Will Tweedy. By the end of the book, I was left wanting to know about the extraordinary person behind Will Tweedy. Olive Ann Burns was a truly remarkable human being, that was just that, HUMAN. In Cold Sassy Tree she shared her family history with us. We got to know her father and her grandfather and the rest of the Burns clan from Commerce, GA. In Leaving Cold Sassy we were able to get a glimpse of Olive herself. Thank you so much Katrina Kenison for sharing Olive Ann Burns with us. I envy you for having such a wonderful friend. I am honored to know just a piece of her life and what she had planned for the residents of Cold Sassy. Leaving Cold Sassy is inspiring and devastating and incredible. Everyone should give both it and the original Cold Sassy Tree to the people they love, or would like to get to know or know in passing or...Book Review: Interesting but unfinished sequel to Cold Sassy Tree
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this book since I so loved Cold Sassy Tree. That first book is what I've always thought what great Southern literature represents. So I eagerly bought the sequel ~~ not knowing that it was unfinished and that it also contained a biography of the author by her editor. It was kind of disappointing as I thoroughly enjoyed the first book.
This one is a portrait of a grown-up Will Tweedy ~~ and not as the lovable character that is fondly remembered. After all, he is now grown up and facing adult issues. It is also not as well-drawn out of a character as in the first book. It is still interesting to read but somehow, it doesn't leave me with a satisfied feeling as Cold Sassy Tree did. Then when I realized that the author had died before completing the book, it all came together for me.
It is interesting ~~ and is a jog down memory lane. I really enjoyed reading the author's bio by her editor ~~ it gave me an insight to an author that I wish had written more.
12-1-04