Sweetgrass

by Mary Alice Monroe

Book Overview

Mary Alice Monroe returns to the heart of the Low Country with a richly textured story about family, loss and the heartbreaking compromises people make in the name of love.

Sweetgrass is a historic tract of land in South Carolina that has been home to the Blakely family for eight generations. But Sweetgrass--named for the indigenous grass that grows in the area--is in trouble. Taxes are skyrocketing. Bulldozers are leveling...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0778328074
• ISBN13: 9780778328070
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Mira Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Yawn!

Because of the reviews I ordered this book. It’s so boring I wonder if we’re reading the same book. I’m half through and will finish only because I’m not a quitter. Truth is, I don’t want to waste the time I’ve put in so I can count it as read.

Simple country life and lessons to be learned.

Excellent beach read ! This is one book you do not want to put down. Lessons learned in life, love and racism. Writer brought characters and images to life. Reading this on the beach IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, you will see why.......

Powerful Family Saga

Sweetgrass is a former plantation that has been in the Blakely family for generations. Twenty-first century urbanization now threatens the Carolina Lowlands, and Sweetgrass is one of the few remaining marshy areas along the Eastern Seaboard. When family patriarch Preston Blakely suffers a crippling stroke, the family begins to divide over the devastating choices to be made for the land's future. Prodigal son, Morgan, returns from a long hiatus from the family to find his aunt and brother-in-law ready to sell Sweetgrass to a development company, for the family's good, of course. Monroe guides the reader through the Blakely-family's struggle to survive illness, economic dilemmas, and the ever-growing pressure of urban sprawl. Each character faces the challenges of growth, and the story spans numerous facets without overwhelming the reader. This novel only seems lacking in some aspects of Morgan's story, which could have been flushed out with only a little more effort. With her usual lush writing, Mary Alice Monroe delivers another emotional punch, while opening readers' eyes to very real issues. -C.W.

Escape to the Low Country

Sweetgrass, named for the grasss that is grown in the area, is a very special piece of land that has been in the Blakely family for eight generations but is now in danger of being lost forever and replaced by housing developments. Mary June is torn about her feelings about losing Sweetgrass. She has many happy memories about the land but there are also some tragedies that haunt her. Preston, Mary Junes husband, is ill and is not able to fight for the land that has meant so much to him. Nan, living in a marriage that has held her back is now beginning to see how much her family and legacy means to her. Morgan, the long lost son, returned out of obligation to his family to help out but soon figures out that Sweetgrass is in his blood and he must fight to keep it. Against them all is Hank, Nans husband and Adele, Prestons sister. They both are willing to do just about anything to get Sweetgrass for themselves to develop. Mary Alice Monroe once again writes an uforgettable story set in the South Carolina Low Country that tells of love, forgiveness, and the strengh of a family. If you are a fan of southern fiction, there are few authors who evoke the kind of love and effection for this very special land like Mary Alice Monroe does. Treat yourself to this book, or any of her other titles such as - Plantation or The Beach House and you will not be sorry.