dannycakez8808's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
I really loved this book! The writing was intriguing as well as the story line and large cast of characters. I love the Southern themes, magic in the air/Buttonwood tree, and of course all the family drama. This generational story of family secrets and lies made for excellent story telling.
I really loved this book! The writing was intriguing as well as the story line and large cast of characters. I love the Southern themes, magic in the air/Buttonwood tree, and of course all the family drama. This generational story of family secrets and lies made for excellent story telling.
karaklos's review
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up.
South of the Buttonwood Tree was an odd book for me. I’m not a magical realism fan unless it is very subtle and this was a bit much for me. A tree that dispenses wisdom/fortunes through wooden buttons? A woman that finds lost things by listening to the wind? Another woman that heals people by collecting and dispersing moonlight (with some kind of dancing involved)? A crow with golden eyes? Houses that speak and rebel? None of these were developed very well to make them feel natural or real.
The story takes place in a small town in Alabama where everyone knows everyone’s business. I had a difficult picturing the town and where the tree was vs. where the stores and homes were.
The story alternates between two young women: Blue Bishop (bad family) and Sarah Grace (good family). Blue finds a baby at the buttonwood tree and the mystery of where she comes from uncovers many more mysteries.
The characters were interesting and likeable. I liked how the author used the townspeople’s conversations with the local judge to reveal details about the Bishop family.
The twists at the end of the story were surprising but a bit convoluted. There were a lot of lessons about forgiveness told to us. I felt like the author wrote this to be a movie. A very light (and sometimes corny read) but a nice reprieve from some of the darker themes I’ve been reading lately.
South of the Buttonwood Tree was an odd book for me. I’m not a magical realism fan unless it is very subtle and this was a bit much for me. A tree that dispenses wisdom/fortunes through wooden buttons? A woman that finds lost things by listening to the wind? Another woman that heals people by collecting and dispersing moonlight (with some kind of dancing involved)? A crow with golden eyes? Houses that speak and rebel? None of these were developed very well to make them feel natural or real.
The story takes place in a small town in Alabama where everyone knows everyone’s business. I had a difficult picturing the town and where the tree was vs. where the stores and homes were.
The story alternates between two young women: Blue Bishop (bad family) and Sarah Grace (good family). Blue finds a baby at the buttonwood tree and the mystery of where she comes from uncovers many more mysteries.
The characters were interesting and likeable. I liked how the author used the townspeople’s conversations with the local judge to reveal details about the Bishop family.
The twists at the end of the story were surprising but a bit convoluted. There were a lot of lessons about forgiveness told to us. I felt like the author wrote this to be a movie. A very light (and sometimes corny read) but a nice reprieve from some of the darker themes I’ve been reading lately.
rose_herczeg's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
buttercup23's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
papilooonglegs's review
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kmcw24's review
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
oh_em_gee's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ginkgogirl's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
iheartya311's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This isn't usually the type of book I read but I loved it! The story flowed nicely and was consistently interesting. I liked the writing and the characters. Adding this author's other work to my TBR!
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