First Frost – January 20, 2015

First Frost Hardcover – January 20, 2015

Author: Visit Amazon’s Sarah Addison Allen Page | Language: English | ISBN: 1250019834 | Format: PDF, EPUB

First Frost – January 20, 2015
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• Hardcover: 304 pages


• Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (January 20, 2015)


• Language: English


• ISBN-10: 1250019834


• ISBN-13: 978-1250019837


• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 1.1 x 9.5 inches


• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)


• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  
  • #51 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Women’s Fiction > Domestic Life
  
  

I finished Sarah Addison Allen’s First Frost last night and as I write this review, it occurs to me that I have several strong thoughts/opinions to share. But first, a bit of background: First Frost picks up the story of the Waverley sisters, Claire and Sydney, back home in Bascom, NC, living settled, mostly happy lives in the shadow of their family legacy and the same, spirited apple tree living in the back yard. While all seems mostly well, there are undercurrents of dissatisfaction, and not just between the sisters: Bay, now 15, has revealed her feelings to Josh Matteson, who doesn’t reciprocate, and nine year old Mariah, who has suddenly developed a friendship with a girl no one knows. There is also the presence of a mysterious stranger who doesn’t seem to have the Waverley interests at heart.

So, on to my thoughts:

1) This book is filled with beautiful, luxurious statements that had me pausing to savor the words. A couple of my favorites: “…happiness isn’t a point you leave behind. It’s what ahead of you. Every single day.” “…it was like she’s brought the entire month of July with her.” Gorgeous writing.
2) A story doesn’t have to be about a big, sweeping tragedy or event to make it worthwhile. It can be about a series of small events that resonate with your life and cause you to think.
3) A touch of magical realism never hurts anything and generally helps.
4) We believe what we choose to believe.
5) Visiting with old friends, even old friends who need a good lecture, is always a welcome thing.
6) Sometimes, all it takes to get you out of a reading slump is one fantastically engaging book. This is it.

I loved this story, even if I did get frustrated at times, especially with Claire.

In 2007, I had the pleasure of reading Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen and found myself delighted by the unique and magical Waverley women. While I have read all but one of Allen’s books, I needed to refresh my memory to really appreciate the First Frost. Certainly it is not absolutely necessary, however like family it helps when you know the history.

In First Frost, we find out what happened to sisters Claire and Sydney Waverly and elderly cousin Evanelle who live in Bascom NC. Their story comes full circle with the Waverly women building on the strong bond they had come to share in Garden Spells and now are inseparable. Their husbands even have the highest regard for each other .

Once withdrawn and prickly, Claire is happily married to Tyler and they have a daughter named Mariah. Claire was happy as a caterer but now prepares mass quantities of candy made with her magical plants. If she is not as happy as she use to be, the money coming in will certainly help pay for her daughters college. While she loves her to distraction, she is also baffled that Mariah has no discernible gift. The wild sister Sydney, fled Bascom at 18 to disastrous consequences . Sydney is now happily married to Henry, her best friend from High School. Sydney owns a beauty salon, where she can work her magic styling hair. Her daughter Bay, who was six years old in Garden Spells is now fifteen. Bay’s special gift is knowing where things belong. Right now she feels she belongs with high school student Josh Matteson. This relationship dredges up unhappy memories from her mother’s childhood. In addition, Sydney longs to give her husband Henry a son to carry on the family business.

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