Family secrets and regrets, memories and inevitable tragedies of life are the subject of this book from Kensington Press.
I have to add a disclaimer here because Kensington is usually a "safe" choice for books - meaning that one doesn't normally find questionable language or situations in their books. This book has a little of both and I'd rather you know that before reading the book. Although not vulgar or explicit, it isn't something I would usually read if forewarned. It is, however, descriptive of real life issues that all of us deal with in one way or another. I'll also say that I've read much worse as assignments for English and American Literature courses in both high school and college. Overall, the book was both funny and poignant.
Mrs. Ella Dubose is an eccentric old gal who loves the genteel life of the South. Mrs. Ella packs a pistol in her pocketbook that she's liable to wave threateningly when she believes she has just cause. She has a marijuana plant growing on her porch which is used from time to time to combat glaucoma. One of her sons has a Companion which has caused some rifts in the family - most especially with her deceased husband, Earl. Goldie, her Native American companion, (a.k.a. cook, maid and errand runner), keeps her mostly out of mischief. But there are some things even Goldie can't predict or prevent.
When two of Mrs. Ella's children, Little Earl and Olivia, suggest that her mind is going and that she needs a complete physical , she's had enough! Mrs. Ella takes Goldie and escapes to a favorite hotel from summers past, The Priscilla, in Myrtle Beach. While so much of Myrtle Beach has changed through the years, The Priscilla remains the same, old-fashioned hotel lost in time.
With strict instructions to the Staff that they are staying "incognito", Mrs. Ella holds a secret she believes she must share with her writer son who lives "up north." She persuades Tyler to take time away from promoting his new novel and join her. He is very different from her other children and Mrs. Ella's secret may hold the key as to why. Tyler has his own secret to share with his mom regarding his health. Meanwhile, back home, Mrs. Ella's other two children have called out the police in two states to track "that crazy woman" down via her license plate.
Readers will catch a glimpse of life during WWII, when boys went off to war and so many didn't return. It was the era of Big Bands, "proper" behavior, and heartbreak. You'll laugh at Mrs. Ella's downright outrageousness, and the lifestories of Ella and the characters in her life will tug at your heart.
If you are part of a book club, there are questions for discussion at the end of the book. (Claire, if you are reading this, Mrs. Ella reminds me so much of your Mom.) And yes, I would definitely read it again.
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