Acclaimed novelist Anne Rivers Siddons's new novel is a stunning tale of love and loss. For as long as she can remember, they were Cam and Lilly--happily married, totally in love with each other, parents of a beautiful family, and partners in life. Then, after decades of marriage, it ended as every great love story does...in loss. After Cam's death, Lilly takes a lone road trip to her and Cam's favorite spot on the remote coast of Maine, the place where they fell in love over and over again, where their ghosts still dance. There, she looks hard to her past--to a first love that ended in tragedy; to falling in love with Cam; to a marriage filled with exuberance, sheer life, and safety-- to try to figure out her future.
It is a journey begun with tender memories and culminating in a revelation that will make Lilly re-evaluate everything she thought was true about her husband and her marriage.
I have read many of Anne Rivers Siddons books. "Peachtree Road" was my favorite. "Off Season" reminds me of the author's style of writing in "Peachtree Road." All of the readers senses come to life with every word on every page. The work is a dazzling display of character development that in turn makes you feel like you are there at every moment and that somehow, you too have shared Lilly's life. "Off Season" is a wonderful, warm, tender and fabulous read.
Hal
Kansas City, MO
writes,
While I do not agree that "Off Season" is Ms. Siddons best book, I will say it is her best since "Colony". I was disappointed in her more recent novels and feel that she has certainly redeemed herself with this haunting story of a widow revisting her childhood and her summers spent on the Maine coast where she met her husband. In many ways it is a coming of age story and in others a love story. Her character development is excellent and one feels they are actually at Edgewater watching Lilly as a tomboy and then a developing young woman. The author brings alive Lily's parents, brother and those who make up her world.
I, personally, was not happy with the ending which I thought could have been developed better which is the reason I did not rate this novel 5 stars. However, all in all it is a fine novel and a credit to Ms. Siddons.
writes,
I have read all of Ms. Siddons books and this is by far her best. Beautiful description, unusual insight, and the ability to dwell in her story kept me enthralled for hours. I have met Ms. Siddons at a book signing and lecture and she is as gracious as her beautiful stories. Of course, living in Maine, the base location of the book, also added to my pleasure.
