Bed & Breakfast: A Novel

by Lois Battle and Lois Bathe

Book Overview

Penguin is pleased to reintroduce readers to ?born storyteller? ( The Washington Post ) and New York Times bestselling author Lois Battle and her delightful holiday tale of Josie Taternall and her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0143116436
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.7" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

Way better than other books of this genre

great writing, interesting, 3-dimensional characters instead of stereotypes, and never predictable. This book was wonderful and held my interest --highly recommended for those who enjoy Pat Conroy's books

reprint of a well written regional charmer

Widow Josie Tatternall does not have fond memories of her womanizing dictatorial late spouse, who treated her like he did the soldiers he led. The septuagenarian owns the Point Bed and Breakfast in Beaufort, South Carolina. .Christmas is coming and feeling her age after calling 911 when her bridge playing pal Peatsy collapses, Josie wants her three adult daughters to visit her for the holidays. As her sister reminds her, that will take a miracle. Her oldest Camilla has not come home in ten years, vowing back then never; however, depressed that her job may be gone, her lover definitely gone, and her period probably gone due to she fears a pregnancy, Cam accepts the invitation. Her middle child Lila Gadsen of Hilton Head immediately accepts. She hopes seeing mom will allow her to escape for a week from her politician husband and his attitude, and their two teens with attitude that only prescription medicine alleviates the headaches. Her youngest Evie lives in Savannah where she writes a newspaper column that exposes her family to ridicule as they are often the topic. She also accepts her mom's invitation. The four Tatternall females converge on the Point with good intentions to let bygones be bygones. Christmas Eve is a catastrophe in spite of the good intentions. The three daughters are together for seemingly for only nanoseconds and each is ready to run home. This reprint of a well written regional charmer affirms that the family that gets together fights together, but hopefully also loves together. Josie is the star though her daughters obviously play key roles in the bickering and arguing, and some wise acceptance and consideration of others. Fans will enjoy this engaging family drama as everyone grows stronger with increased perceptive understanding of those you thought you already know. Harriet Klausner

Nicely done!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! The SC Low Country setting oozed with Southern charm. The characters were interesting, well-drawn, and inspired empathy. I especially like the author's descriptive style of writing, and prolific use of colorful adjectives, allowing me to visualize the details as I was reading it. I also liked how Part Two was presented in flashback, detailing the resolutions of the issues that evolved in Part One.

Interesting theme of trying to break-free of one's "culture"

I bought this book because I like the author (and she comes from my home town in Australia). This book is reminiscent ( in parts) of Gail Godwin's "A Mother and Two Daughters", though is more superficial and therefore easier to read. I enjoyed it, but think certain characters were not developed enough (youngest daughter, boyfriend , granddaughter etc). On the whole, an interesting glimpse at a daughter trying to escape the confines of her cultural heritage and her mother's coming to terms with mortality and attempts at reconciling a fragmented family.

Most believable characters

At one time I identified with Josie, the mother, and at another, with Lila, one of the daughters. Having reared four children in the south, I can tell you Ms Battle has wonderful, believable characters. I will recommend this book for the October selection for my book discussion club.