A good summer read, particularly if you are visiting the low country of South Carolina. However, I have to admit that I would not have even looked twice at this book had I not enjoyed "Peachtree Road" so much. "Peachtree Road" is by far a deeper, more complex book, and overall, better literature. For me, "Low Country" does not sound like it was written by the same author; rather, it sounds more like it was written by an aspiring writer, someone who has not yet completely honed the art of descriptive writing without sounding overwrought and melodramatic.Still, I would recommend this book for anyone who has ever suffered a great loss -- of either a child, spouse or homeplace. I think Siddons nails it when describing the feelings of loss and/or being out of control. However, these feelings are described by her protagonist, Caroline -- a self-absorbed, wealthy, emptynester who has no responsibilities in life. "Caro" spends her days wandering around the islands, visiting the locals, sleeping a great deal, drinking bourbon mid-day, and painting pictures that she never seems to get around to selling. It is very hard for the reader to identify with such a self-indulgent creature, which makes her feelings less tangible. I watched her cry but couldn't cry with her.The end of the book left me feeling a bit disgusted with Caro... I do not want to spoil the ending but I thought her initial reaction to a tragic situation towards the end of the book was completely inappropriate and self-centered. There was someone who needed her immediately, but she took the mantra of "taking time for me" to an extreme before reaching out to the one who needed her. Sometimes in life you've got to stand strong and be the hero even when you're falling apart on the inside. Caroline seemed utterly incapable of dealing with anyone else's emotions before she had dealt with her own.
A little slow at beginning, but it paid off with wonderful characters. The ending was not what I was thinking, and may have been a bit of a cop out, but all in all a great read. I needed to come back to this review after visiting Hilton Head. When I read the book I focused on the characters, but after visiting Hilton Head, I now can understand better the author's take on land development. It now is obvious to me that she was influenced by the development on Hilton Head (and I verified this with a google search). Hilton Head is beautiful, but there is a piece of me that would have loved to have seen it "wild". The planned communities and the perfectly blended fast food restaurants are very pleasing for out of town vacationers, but left the island with very little "personality". The Gullah population is left as a tour with the local cultural discovery center...just as was proposed in the novel. I suppose development is inevitable, and if it must be done the tasteful way it is done on Hilton Head is probably best, but it just left me feeling like I was not in a real place. The novel highlights these struggles, and I'm not sure answers the questions totally, but definitely seems to question the concept of developing these island communities.
What do You think about Low Country (2002)?
I loved this book - and I cheated. I didn't actually read it, I listened to it on tape. I listen to this every spring, when the sun is warmer and I start dreaming of the future. ARS does a wonderful job describing the south with an amazing vocabulary that engages the reader. Her characters are people you want to grab and hold close to you and invite to dinners you don't have to throw but want to because the company is so wonderful. You can almost smell the salty marshes and the ponies and the native foods. If you haven't read anything by ARS then make this the first book you read. She captivates and keeps one interested to the very end. You'll love it!
—Jennifer
I have reviewed many novels by Anne Rivers Siddons. I have read many more. Ms. Siddons novels are, almost exclusively, about place - the pull of place, the safety that some places can provide and the comfort of familiar places. Indeed, the titles of her novels are places - Downtown, Colony, Burnt Mountain, Peachtree Road. This novel is also one about a place, a place which is home, provides security and must be saved from unscrupulous liars looking to profit. In that respect, it is no different from the far-superior Colony, my favorite book.Low Country takes place on the fictional Peacock Island, near Charleston. Caro grew up there with her grandfather among the locals in the Gullah Village. Caro believes she owns the island so when plans emerge to develop it into a plantation much like Sea Pines on Hilton Head, but with a tacky theme-park feel, she refuses to give the developer, her husband, the rights.Caro is a pathetic character. She cannot get past the accidental death of her daughter five years ago. Her death controls her life. She falls apart at the least provocation. It is this part of the story which ruins this novel. Instead of being a tough cookie in the fight against her husband, she is weak and lets others take on the batlle.It is terrible? No. I leave that term for Peachtree Road which I could not finish. If you have never read Ms. Siddons, start with Colony or Nora, Nora. Do not start here.
—Virginia
Ok, having now read two of Siddons books, I am beginning to think she is just not my new favorite author. Having read a half dozen books that are set in Charleston, I have become accustomed to some of the southern expressions found in many books. But some of her dialog was just cliche and repetitive. Again, Siddons characters are deep and well developed, but just a bit dark for my taste. Her descriptions of the wildlife and scenery are wonderfully crafted, but just not enough to make me fall in love with the story. Though I liked this better than her later "Off Season" I cannot say this is my new favorite.
—Mer929
