I enjoyed The Help both as a book and a movie and enjoyed watching The Secret Life of Bees even though I did not read the book. When the cover of this one said it was of the same genre I went for it. It did not disappoint. Miss Ibby is the main character. Had to smile at her name-Liberty Alice Bell. Only in the south would they come up with names like Vidrine and Ibby!
While the book is overall a coming of age novel about a
dysfunctional family, these characters are rich; some literally, others
figuratively! Fannie, Queenie and Doll are as full of life as Ibby. They love,
fight, and cherish each other. They also are a bit unique within their own
lives.
Fannie—a young woman who does not trust banks, married a
boat captain, was a stripper and now is a leading lady of New Orleans
society. Was not happy when her own son
married beneath him and is now raising her granddaughter after the widowed
Vidrine drops Ibby off and never returns. She loves Ibby and wants her to be very
happy. The dolls she gives her on each
birthday will ensure that.
Vidrine—a woman who marries above herself and when widowed
does the only thing she can for her daughter—gives her to her detested
mother-in-law. Was that an act of
selfishness so she could go off and lead her own life or of selfless love
because she realized she lacked the many skills necessary to provide for her
daughter?
Queenie-she came with the house. She is the true glue in the book. She takes
everything ins stride, counsels everyone in the house and always has their backs
regardless of the mess they may be making of things. Ibby learns so much from her.
Doll—sassy, loving, smart.
Given the ending of the book, it is no wonder! I will not say more for fear of ruining the
book for those who haven’t read it yet.
Ibby—shy, resilient, daring and cautious. She is growing into a strong southern
woman! She stands up to Annabelle, the
neighborhood bully. She does not see the
color of a person’s skin but the character of their soul—something that was
part of coming of age in the Civil Rights Movement.
The book provided many more twists than I had imagined. Who would have thought of a nun who used to
be a stripper! I must say I was engaged
until the very last page and happily so!
