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Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
Steel Magnolias meets The Help in Beth Hoffman’s New York Times bestselling Southern debut novel, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is in trouble. For years, she has been the caretaker of her mother, Camille, the town’s tiara-wearing, lipstick-smeared laughingstock, a woman who is trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen of Georgia. When tragedy strikes, Tootie Caldwell, CeeCee’s long-lost great-aunt, comes to the rescue and whisks her away to Savannah. There, CeeCee is catapulted into a perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricity—one that appears to be run entirely by strong, wacky women. From the exotic Miz Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in her backyard bathtub and uses garden slugs as her secret weapons; to Tootie's all-knowing housekeeper, Oletta Jones; to Violene Hobbs, who entertains a local police officer in her canary-yellow peignoir, the women of Gaston Street keep CeeCee entertained and enthralled for an entire summer.
A timeless coming of age novel set in the 1960s, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt explores the indomitable strengths of female friendship, and charts the journey of an unforgettable girl who loses one mother, but finds many others in the storybook city of Savannah. As Kristin Hannah, author of Fly Away, says, Beth Hoffman's sparkling debut is “packed full of Southern charm, strong women, wacky humor, and good old-fashioned heart."
Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is in trouble. For years, she has been the caretaker of her mother, Camille, the town’s tiara-wearing, lipstick-smeared laughingstock, a woman who is trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen of Georgia. When tragedy strikes, Tootie Caldwell, CeeCee’s long-lost great-aunt, comes to the rescue and whisks her away to Savannah. There, CeeCee is catapulted into a perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricity—one that appears to be run entirely by strong, wacky women. From the exotic Miz Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in her backyard bathtub and uses garden slugs as her secret weapons; to Tootie's all-knowing housekeeper, Oletta Jones; to Violene Hobbs, who entertains a local police officer in her canary-yellow peignoir, the women of Gaston Street keep CeeCee entertained and enthralled for an entire summer.
A timeless coming of age novel set in the 1960s, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt explores the indomitable strengths of female friendship, and charts the journey of an unforgettable girl who loses one mother, but finds many others in the storybook city of Savannah. As Kristin Hannah, author of Fly Away, says, Beth Hoffman's sparkling debut is “packed full of Southern charm, strong women, wacky humor, and good old-fashioned heart."
306 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2010
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37245 people want to read
About the author
Beth Hoffman
9 books1,508 followersTwelve days after Beth Hoffman’s first novel was published in 2010, she became a New York Times bestselling author with foreign rights selling to prestigious publishers in Italy, Germany, France, Poland, Norway, Hungary, Indonesia, Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom.
Following an extensive national tour, Beth returned home to Kentucky and the solace of her writing studio. Drawing from vivid memories of childhood on her grandparents’ farm and her love of animals, nature, and antiques, a surprising story quickly took form. When asked about her second novel, which is titled Looking for Me, Beth says: “This book encompasses my deepest passions—it’s the story that woke me in the night and demanded to be told.”
Before beginning her writing career, Beth was the president and co-owner of an interior design studio. An artist as well as an award-winning designer, her paintings are displayed in private and corporate collections in the United States, Canada, and the UK.
Beth lives, along with her husband and two very smart cats, in a restored Queen Anne home in a quaint historic district in Northern Kentucky. Her interests include the rescue of abandoned and abused animals, nature conservancy, birding, historic preservation, and antiquing.
Following an extensive national tour, Beth returned home to Kentucky and the solace of her writing studio. Drawing from vivid memories of childhood on her grandparents’ farm and her love of animals, nature, and antiques, a surprising story quickly took form. When asked about her second novel, which is titled Looking for Me, Beth says: “This book encompasses my deepest passions—it’s the story that woke me in the night and demanded to be told.”
Before beginning her writing career, Beth was the president and co-owner of an interior design studio. An artist as well as an award-winning designer, her paintings are displayed in private and corporate collections in the United States, Canada, and the UK.
Beth lives, along with her husband and two very smart cats, in a restored Queen Anne home in a quaint historic district in Northern Kentucky. Her interests include the rescue of abandoned and abused animals, nature conservancy, birding, historic preservation, and antiquing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 9,685 reviews
November 2, 2011
This book would be perfect for twelve-year-old girls, but it's just too precious for grown-up readers. Had it been published and promoted as a book for youngsters, I would have rated it higher and reviewed it more gently. But it was marketed as an adult book, so I'll rate and review it as such.
The writing, plot, and characters aren't all that bad for light fiction. I was able to finish it without hating it, which is increasingly rare for me with fluff novels. THE PROBLEM: There were a lot of opportunities for real depth here. The story could have explored serious issues such as mental illness, a child's loss of her mother, and racial tensions in the South of the 1960s. Hoffman kills every chance for depth and dramatic tension by tidily dispatching every crisis with perfectly worded homilies delivered at just the right moment by just the right character. These little sermons are happily accepted by the other characters, who never raise the issue again. They all float along in saccharine harmony until the next crisis, which will be just as neatly dissolved with another special conversation.
Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows get tediously predictable by about halfway through the book. There are some delightful characters, but they aren't believable when they're so easily swayed and soothed.
If you're looking for something sweet and fun and you're less critical of light fiction than I, you will probably find this a wonderful little escape. It has a lot of Southern charm and colorful characters, and there are some quite humorous escapades. I loved the photo journey of Miz Hobbs's remarkable traveling brassiere!
Aunt Tootie, Oletta, and Miz Goodpepper are lovable but not very convincing.
The writing, plot, and characters aren't all that bad for light fiction. I was able to finish it without hating it, which is increasingly rare for me with fluff novels. THE PROBLEM: There were a lot of opportunities for real depth here. The story could have explored serious issues such as mental illness, a child's loss of her mother, and racial tensions in the South of the 1960s. Hoffman kills every chance for depth and dramatic tension by tidily dispatching every crisis with perfectly worded homilies delivered at just the right moment by just the right character. These little sermons are happily accepted by the other characters, who never raise the issue again. They all float along in saccharine harmony until the next crisis, which will be just as neatly dissolved with another special conversation.
Sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows get tediously predictable by about halfway through the book. There are some delightful characters, but they aren't believable when they're so easily swayed and soothed.
If you're looking for something sweet and fun and you're less critical of light fiction than I, you will probably find this a wonderful little escape. It has a lot of Southern charm and colorful characters, and there are some quite humorous escapades. I loved the photo journey of Miz Hobbs's remarkable traveling brassiere!
Aunt Tootie, Oletta, and Miz Goodpepper are lovable but not very convincing.
August 4, 2014
I adore this style of writing, dripping with deep southern charm set in the summer of 1967 Savannah, Georgia. What a sparkling gem of a debut for Hoffman. I'm gonna have to compare this book a little because of the age of the main character to Secret Life of Bee's with a 12 year old girl named CeeCee living in Ohio, with her tender heart in shambles after the passing of her mentally-ill mother and having an absent father with no parenting skills. This event changes her life as she moves to live with her wise, little Aunt Tootie and her dearest friend and housekeeper Oletta. Told with a beautiful and unique voice and vividly described setting, wonderful eccentric side characters and neighbors. This is a lush story that squeezes your heart, so full of warmth, humor and charismatic characters so real, you just feel like could run over to sit-and-share with them while sipping Iced sweet tea in Tootie's backyard basking in the aroma of Magnolia and Wisteria blossoms.
You just can't help but adore Aunt Tootie, Oletta, Miz Goodpepper and Mrs. Odell these generous, spunky, loveable characters that seem to know just what to do to heal CeeCee's tender broken heart and help her bloom simply by being themselves. CeeCee adds to there lives as well to seal a strong circle of friendship.
so touching I was crying, laughing and cheerfully embracing this story that feeds the soul and leaves an intoxicating, aromatic delight of great southern food and exotic flowers. A must read for anyone who enjoys southern stories like Ya Ya's series, Steel Magnolia's or The Help.
You just can't help but adore Aunt Tootie, Oletta, Miz Goodpepper and Mrs. Odell these generous, spunky, loveable characters that seem to know just what to do to heal CeeCee's tender broken heart and help her bloom simply by being themselves. CeeCee adds to there lives as well to seal a strong circle of friendship.
so touching I was crying, laughing and cheerfully embracing this story that feeds the soul and leaves an intoxicating, aromatic delight of great southern food and exotic flowers. A must read for anyone who enjoys southern stories like Ya Ya's series, Steel Magnolia's or The Help.
October 13, 2009
I cried real tears at parts of this lovely story of young CeeCee Honeycutt, a little girl who suffers unimaginable loss at the hands of a mentally ill mother and unsympathetic father. But like the spider web-trapped hummingbird rescued in Chapt. 27 by pulling "the stickiest strings free of the bird's delicate wings," a community of concerned women carries out a similar attempt for CeeCee. In both cases, a wounded creature is allowed to enjoy the life it should. I loved this book that climbs from frustrating despair to capturing a real glow in life restored.
March 20, 2011
I'm probably the only person in the U.S. of A. who didn't like this book. I just don't get what everyone sees in it. It was so sugary sweet I thought it was going to put me in a diabetic coma. And the characters were such steriotypes. Like the wise Oletta who says "Child, child, you've got a whole lot of healin' to do. But the Good Lord sent you to the right place. Ain't nobody walkin' this green earth got a bigger heart than Miz Tootie". Argh!! The author was constantly barraging the reader with forced, awkward sounding metaphors. "I was nestled deep in the feather bed like a baby bird in a nest". "A string of cream-puff clouds seemed to bump into the treetops". "I noticed an adventuresome earthworm...it lay there sizzled up like a forgotten sausage on a grill." I haven't seen so many bad metaphors since Creative Writing 101. I expected a lot from this book because of all the rave reviews, but I was really disappointed.
July 11, 2018
”Momma left her red satin shoes in the middle of the road. That’s what three eyewitnesses told the police. The first time I remember my mother wearing red shoes was on a snowy morning in December 1962, the year I was seven years old. I walked into the kitchen and found her sitting at the table. No lights were on, but in the thin haze of dawn that pushed through the frostbitten window, I could see red high-heeled shoes peeking out from beneath the hem of her robe. There was no breakfast waiting, and no freshly ironed school dress hanging on the basement doorknob. Momma just sat and stared out the window with empty eyes, her hands limp in her lap, her coffee cold and untouched.”
Cecelia Honeycutt, a young girl with a physically absentee father, at least most of the time, and a mother whose moods swayed from highs to lows, psychotic, until one day when CeeCee is twelve and her mother dies a tragic death.
Her father has at least enough sense to find a relative to take care of her, and he arranges for CeeCee to live with her great-aunt Tallulah, who prefers to be referred to as Aunt Tootie.
”As he pulled away from the curb, a light breeze blew the paper from the box. It spun end over end and swirled into the street. I left it there and watched my dad’s car disappear.
“It was a familiar sight.”
Gradually, CeeCee accepts her new life in Savannah, and begins to get a glimpse of the South her mother had always shared her love of, the climate, their appreciation of the gracious way of living.
”I loved this time of night, how everything softened and lost the hard edges of day, and how, if the wind moved just right, the live oaks would murmur tender green words across the shadowy lawn. Sitting with a book in the warm circle of light from the table lamp had become my favorite way to end the day.”
”Don’t go wastin’ all them bright tomorrows you ain’t even seen by hangin’ on to what happened yesterday. Let go, child. Just breathe out and let go.”
Filled with a charmingly eclectic cast of characters, this was a sweetly tender story of a young girl whose life brings her to a place where she can face her darkest fears and, hopefully, conquer them.
May 31, 2020
This book was a total escape for me. I got lost in the world of precocious, 12-year old Cecelia Honeycutt who experienced growing up in a depressing Ohio home, with an absentee father and a psychotic mother that dies tragically.
Hope finally appears with a flare, upon the arrival of her unknown, great-aunt Tallulah Caldwell. Aunt Tootie drives CeeCee off to Savanna, Georgia, and a bright new life begins.
The book flowed with Southern charm, unforgettable characters, and everyday adventures filled with wisdom and love.
Here's an excerpt that I related to:
"I loved this time of night, how everything softened and lost the hard edges of day, and how, if the wind moved just right, the live oaks would murmur tender green words across the shadowy lawn. Sitting with a book in the warm circle of light from the table lamp had become my favorite way to end the day."
I also read at night. I lost a lot of sleep over this book, because I had a difficult time putting it down. I wanted it to go on forever...
Hope finally appears with a flare, upon the arrival of her unknown, great-aunt Tallulah Caldwell. Aunt Tootie drives CeeCee off to Savanna, Georgia, and a bright new life begins.
The book flowed with Southern charm, unforgettable characters, and everyday adventures filled with wisdom and love.
Here's an excerpt that I related to:
"I loved this time of night, how everything softened and lost the hard edges of day, and how, if the wind moved just right, the live oaks would murmur tender green words across the shadowy lawn. Sitting with a book in the warm circle of light from the table lamp had become my favorite way to end the day."
I also read at night. I lost a lot of sleep over this book, because I had a difficult time putting it down. I wanted it to go on forever...
January 9, 2014
A book very reminiscent of "The secret life of Bees", "Midnight in the garden of Good and Evil" and a book that at times is so predictable it feels like it has copied the dozens of other books that involve southern charm, race relations, mother daughter relations and young women who rise above disadvantage and ultimately triumph. At times the book would take a turn and I would think "but hasn't this plot line been in so many other books?" Even the names of the characters are so predictable of a southern novel. That said, I read the book in two days......it captivated me. The characters were strong and story line engaging but what did it for me was the imagery. This book was an indulgent sensual bath- at times leaving me raw and sad and then at others being full of comfort, love and goodness. It's a mentally visual feast full of splendid gardens, old homes, lovely architecture, a first visit to the sea, peacocks, hummingbirds and a host of crazy, colorful, indomitable southern women who know how to cook up some comfort food and tell tall tales. I was not surprised that the author was previously the head of a successful interior design firm. And for someone like me, who loves the aura of old houses and splendor of gardens this book just engaged my senses. Just when it verged on being trite one of the characters would offer pearls of wisdom or insight that were so beautifully stated I would be knocked down. And the underlying storyline about grief and overcoming it is something I understand and am interested in. A very satisfying read.
March 5, 2010
I wanted to give this book 2 stars, but that felt a little unfair. There’s nothing wrong with the book per se, but it definitely didn’t live up to my expectations. The story is about CeeCee, a young girl from Ohio whose mother just died. CeeCee goes to live with an aunt in Savannah, Georgia where she meets several eccentric Southern ladies. The story itself was fine, but I didn’t find a lot of substance there. The characters were all interesting enough, but pretty one-dimensional, and the storyline was a little too good to be true. I also felt like CeeCees ‘voice’ wasn’t that authentic. She came across as way too mature for a 12 year old girl. I just couldn’t see a lot of her thoughts and words coming from a girl that age. This book is good if you need a quick, ‘pick-me-up’ kind of book, but it’s not the kind of book I felt the need to rush out and recommend to all my friends after reading it.
February 2, 2010
Beth Hoffman wrote an incredible first novel. This book to my breath away and I could not put it down. Cee Cee Honeycomb is growing up with a very troubled mother and a father that ignores his entire family.
Cee Cee is on an emotional roller coaster. She does SURVIVE....
This book is full of Southern charm and I coould just see myself sitting with her on the porch and the beautiful gardens of Savannah.
Cee Cee meets and is taken care of by some wonderful people that I would love to call my friends.
I cried in this book many times and could imagine being a part of Cee Cee's life back in the 1950's. Think big Pink Convertible with the top down of course.
If you loved THE HELP and SECRET LIFE OF BEE'S you must read this wonderful story of love, friendship and beauty. I will be taking a trip to Savannah this summer to see those beautiful flowers ......
May 10, 2010
For some reason I was little hesitant to pick this book up. It's definitely not a book I would normally read, but it was one of my group's BOtM so I gave it a try. Despite my initial reluctance to try it, once I started reading I couldn't put it down.
CeeCee Honeycutt is a little girl who grew up in a house that was anything but normal. Her mother was constantly going through different moods, she had no friends to speak of, and her father was consistently leaving to go on business trips. When CeeCee's mom dies, her world gets turned upside and she is sent to live with family in Savannah Georgia. There she meets an unbelievable cast of characters that help her discover what life is really about.
Each character in this book was unique and entertaining. They each had a different story to tell, and a different lesson to teach CeeCee. At the base level this book is about just about a girl who is trying to keep her life from falling apart, but as you dig deeper there are so many different stories that a person can relate to. Threads of racism, prejudice, philosophy of karma, friendship etc... It was a short, quick book that was filled with life lessons and wrapped in a heartwarming package.
I loved it!
CeeCee Honeycutt is a little girl who grew up in a house that was anything but normal. Her mother was constantly going through different moods, she had no friends to speak of, and her father was consistently leaving to go on business trips. When CeeCee's mom dies, her world gets turned upside and she is sent to live with family in Savannah Georgia. There she meets an unbelievable cast of characters that help her discover what life is really about.
Each character in this book was unique and entertaining. They each had a different story to tell, and a different lesson to teach CeeCee. At the base level this book is about just about a girl who is trying to keep her life from falling apart, but as you dig deeper there are so many different stories that a person can relate to. Threads of racism, prejudice, philosophy of karma, friendship etc... It was a short, quick book that was filled with life lessons and wrapped in a heartwarming package.
I loved it!
March 17, 2012
★★★★☆ (This is a review of the audiobook.) This was charmingly narrated by Jenna Lamia who convincingly sounds not only like an intelligent, forlorn little 12 year-old girl, but the many moods of CeeCee herself – worry, happiness, embarrassment, guilt, wonder, revenge, fear, grief, sadness, humor, forgiveness, and delight. Ms. Lamia performs the various accents, Northern and Southern, female and male, with distention and authenticity. There are some wonderful, touching scenes in this coming-of-age story and she delivers them nicely.
September 16, 2012
one of my favs ever!!!
December 31, 2010
It wasn't the worst book I've ever read, but it was pretty flat, and I was disappointed after all the good reviews I read about it. And I had a lot of issues with the book that stopped me from really enjoying it:
The characters were pretty flat and stereotypical. The benevolent old Southern white society lady who saves her little grand-niece. Her grumpy-but-oh-so-loveable black maid. The smart but troubled young girl. The crazy mother. I was very aware that these were characters, made up by some author. I particularly had issues with the crazy mom. The author clearly tried to give her some depth, but the character just felt so overdone. I tend to be really critical of "Mentally Ill Mother" characters because 1) they're a commonly used plot device, and they have to be really well-written to pull it off, and 2) my mother struggled with alcoholism and depression when I was growing up, so I generally either really relate to the stories or it just seems phony to me. In this story, it seemed contrived. I don't know - maybe the author really had experiences like CeeCee's, and maybe some people with mama-issues related to this story, but I sure didn't.
There wasn't really any conflict in this story. I guess the conflict was supposed to have been CeeCee coming to terms with the loss of her mother, which I found utterly un-compelling, or the issues related to Oletta and her friends killing a white man, which was neatly wrapped up in a page. But honestly, it was 300 pages of CeeCee living the charmed life in her big rich Southern house with her big rich Southern aunt. Gee, how interesting.
And then there was this little gem: "Northerners have no idea what real living means, and they don't know a damn thing about etiquette or hospitality." Oh, whatever. This book romanticizes the South to a ridiculous degree. Maybe it’s just my Minnesota pride talking, but it really grated on my nerves – and I’m not against Southern charm in novels by any means. But I don’t think moving to the South solves everyone’s problems, and the idea that being in the North caused her mother’s illness and CeeCee’s unhappiness is simplistic and ludicrous. And it alienated me, as a reader, and made me get all defensive.
The writing was all right, but it was very deliberate - nothing about this book seemed effortless to me, it all seemed planned and made up. I think in a really good book, it almost seems that the author is channeling the story and the characters instead of making them up - that was not the case with Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.
For better, Southern folksy charm books with real substance I would recommend Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, The Secret Life of Bees, The Help, To Kill a Mockingbird, Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood, or Where The Heart Is. This book wasn't an utter waste of time, it was a simple and pretty quick read, but there are plenty of similar, better books out there.
The characters were pretty flat and stereotypical. The benevolent old Southern white society lady who saves her little grand-niece. Her grumpy-but-oh-so-loveable black maid. The smart but troubled young girl. The crazy mother. I was very aware that these were characters, made up by some author. I particularly had issues with the crazy mom. The author clearly tried to give her some depth, but the character just felt so overdone. I tend to be really critical of "Mentally Ill Mother" characters because 1) they're a commonly used plot device, and they have to be really well-written to pull it off, and 2) my mother struggled with alcoholism and depression when I was growing up, so I generally either really relate to the stories or it just seems phony to me. In this story, it seemed contrived. I don't know - maybe the author really had experiences like CeeCee's, and maybe some people with mama-issues related to this story, but I sure didn't.
There wasn't really any conflict in this story. I guess the conflict was supposed to have been CeeCee coming to terms with the loss of her mother, which I found utterly un-compelling, or the issues related to Oletta and her friends killing a white man, which was neatly wrapped up in a page. But honestly, it was 300 pages of CeeCee living the charmed life in her big rich Southern house with her big rich Southern aunt. Gee, how interesting.
And then there was this little gem: "Northerners have no idea what real living means, and they don't know a damn thing about etiquette or hospitality." Oh, whatever. This book romanticizes the South to a ridiculous degree. Maybe it’s just my Minnesota pride talking, but it really grated on my nerves – and I’m not against Southern charm in novels by any means. But I don’t think moving to the South solves everyone’s problems, and the idea that being in the North caused her mother’s illness and CeeCee’s unhappiness is simplistic and ludicrous. And it alienated me, as a reader, and made me get all defensive.
The writing was all right, but it was very deliberate - nothing about this book seemed effortless to me, it all seemed planned and made up. I think in a really good book, it almost seems that the author is channeling the story and the characters instead of making them up - that was not the case with Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.
For better, Southern folksy charm books with real substance I would recommend Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, The Secret Life of Bees, The Help, To Kill a Mockingbird, Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood, or Where The Heart Is. This book wasn't an utter waste of time, it was a simple and pretty quick read, but there are plenty of similar, better books out there.
March 30, 2015
Great hysterical book set in Savannah. The characters were the best part. Another great southern fiction.
October 18, 2014
What a wonderful, heart warming surprise this book was.
Exceptionally well written. It had me laughing out loud, crying into my hanky, and then laughing again.
The "unpredictable escapades of Miz Hobbs’s remarkable traveling brassiere" had me laughing until tears rolled down my face. Probably because it reminded me of my daughter, who hung one of my bras on a moose statue in a park in New Hampshire, took a photo and posted it on Facebook. I was in New Jersey at the time or I would have smacked her!
There's a cast of genuine, lovable, female characters that I enjoyed spending time with and left with reluctance.
I wish the book had been much, much longer. I wish that I hadn't finished it in one sitting.
November 26, 2014
This book was fantastic, I felt like I was in the story. The characters were so authentic and realistic they had me hooked from the beginning. I found myself getting choked up and then laughing out loud, a thoroughly delightful listening experience.
CeCe, is an isolated young girl who lives with her bipolar mother and an absentee father. She has no friends, or family that visit, her only real attachment is to an elderly neighbor who has loved and watched over her since she was a baby. After her mothers untimely death, a new chapter in CeCe's life starts when she goes to live with her, Great Aunt Tootie in Savanna, GA. Aunt Tootie, as it turns out, is the Salt of the earth and lives in grand home that is full of wonderful smells and warm memories. Over time she, her friends, and her hilarious neighbors, help CeCe to heal and learn how to open her heart to love and friendships.
Oletta, Aunt Tooties' maid, (long time friend), and CeCe, quickly become thick as thieves. After a mishap while on a trip to the beach, the two of them have a secret that may be their undoing. Many amusing adventures and wonderful feelings of comradery, simply make this charming book one I would definitely recommend to all.
Jenna Lamia does a stellar job with all the different women's voices. It's amazing how she did so many different voices all with the southern accent. Each character had a different dialect and were distinctly recognizable. Spectacular Job.
CeCe, is an isolated young girl who lives with her bipolar mother and an absentee father. She has no friends, or family that visit, her only real attachment is to an elderly neighbor who has loved and watched over her since she was a baby. After her mothers untimely death, a new chapter in CeCe's life starts when she goes to live with her, Great Aunt Tootie in Savanna, GA. Aunt Tootie, as it turns out, is the Salt of the earth and lives in grand home that is full of wonderful smells and warm memories. Over time she, her friends, and her hilarious neighbors, help CeCe to heal and learn how to open her heart to love and friendships.
Oletta, Aunt Tooties' maid, (long time friend), and CeCe, quickly become thick as thieves. After a mishap while on a trip to the beach, the two of them have a secret that may be their undoing. Many amusing adventures and wonderful feelings of comradery, simply make this charming book one I would definitely recommend to all.
Jenna Lamia does a stellar job with all the different women's voices. It's amazing how she did so many different voices all with the southern accent. Each character had a different dialect and were distinctly recognizable. Spectacular Job.
August 21, 2010
"The afternoon sun sent fireworks of light sparkling off the hood ornament- a miniature silver angel with open wings and her arms stretched out in front of her, palms forward, as if she were ready to push aside anything that dared get in her way."
First off I want that hood ornament! Sadly they don't put them on cars anymore. *sigh* This quote really jumped out at me because it describes the story as a whole. Ceecee will be protected by the brave, fierce, and beautiful women of Savannah, and they will fight tooth and nail for this girl, just like the angel.
Poor Ceecee has had a hard time to say the least. Her crazy mother gets killed. In a way it proves to be a good fortune for her, but just like any other girl she is devasted. Though her mother did more harm then good and many a time she wanted her gone, deep down she knows she always hoped that her mom would someday be a normal mother. Her father is basically out of the picture, and just avoids the whole situation as much as possible. He does do one good thing for her; he decides that Ceecee will go to Savannah with her great-aunt Tootie. That one decesion will change Ceecee Honeycutt's life forever.
The southern charm always gets to me. Right off the bat I love books with this kind of setting. The story is not only set in the south but in the 1960's. I'm glad the author didn't try to shove down our thoarts the Civil Right movement, but she does give us clear displays that this in fact is happening. It's not the central idea to the novel but is part of the telling how Ceecee comes to see the world through different eyes. The whole cast of women were great. Starting with Oletta all the way to even Viola. It's actually hard to believe there could be so many generous people, but I do want to believe.
The only reason why I didn't give it the whole five stars was because it seemed just a tad too perfect. Other than that the story is lovely and makes you smile to see that people could care so much about one girl. One person after all can make a huge difference.
First off I want that hood ornament! Sadly they don't put them on cars anymore. *sigh* This quote really jumped out at me because it describes the story as a whole. Ceecee will be protected by the brave, fierce, and beautiful women of Savannah, and they will fight tooth and nail for this girl, just like the angel.
Poor Ceecee has had a hard time to say the least. Her crazy mother gets killed. In a way it proves to be a good fortune for her, but just like any other girl she is devasted. Though her mother did more harm then good and many a time she wanted her gone, deep down she knows she always hoped that her mom would someday be a normal mother. Her father is basically out of the picture, and just avoids the whole situation as much as possible. He does do one good thing for her; he decides that Ceecee will go to Savannah with her great-aunt Tootie. That one decesion will change Ceecee Honeycutt's life forever.
The southern charm always gets to me. Right off the bat I love books with this kind of setting. The story is not only set in the south but in the 1960's. I'm glad the author didn't try to shove down our thoarts the Civil Right movement, but she does give us clear displays that this in fact is happening. It's not the central idea to the novel but is part of the telling how Ceecee comes to see the world through different eyes. The whole cast of women were great. Starting with Oletta all the way to even Viola. It's actually hard to believe there could be so many generous people, but I do want to believe.
The only reason why I didn't give it the whole five stars was because it seemed just a tad too perfect. Other than that the story is lovely and makes you smile to see that people could care so much about one girl. One person after all can make a huge difference.
November 18, 2010
Okay, Readers. I can see the local AMC marquee now -- "SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT" in scrolling big caps -- and, suitably, it's only a matter of time before Warner Brothers, Imagine, Touchstone, or maybe Castle Rock see the possibilities and potential of this hugely adored novel readers have fallen in love with.
I hope there will be a day when this amazing book's enlightening quotes, soul-inspiring words of wisdom, and beautifully developed characters are gathered from the pages and placed before our eyes in a blockbustering delightful and heartfelt movie. I can foresee the talented cast. I can hear the whirlwind of emotions voiced by the delicately sweet and blooming, yet painfully innocent, book-loving 12-year-old storyteller. And there I will be, front and center.
Inside the classy and metaphorically graced hummingbird hardback cover of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt are 306 pages of "saving" grace. With chapters so wonderfully satisfying and emotionally fulfilling, I lost myself, in the best possible way, within this book and found my heart savoring the power of love, beauty of life, and the prominence of God radiating throughout. Read this story.
From one motherless daughter to another, thank you, Cecelia Rose Honeycutt, for saving a little piece of me.
I hope there will be a day when this amazing book's enlightening quotes, soul-inspiring words of wisdom, and beautifully developed characters are gathered from the pages and placed before our eyes in a blockbustering delightful and heartfelt movie. I can foresee the talented cast. I can hear the whirlwind of emotions voiced by the delicately sweet and blooming, yet painfully innocent, book-loving 12-year-old storyteller. And there I will be, front and center.
Inside the classy and metaphorically graced hummingbird hardback cover of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt are 306 pages of "saving" grace. With chapters so wonderfully satisfying and emotionally fulfilling, I lost myself, in the best possible way, within this book and found my heart savoring the power of love, beauty of life, and the prominence of God radiating throughout. Read this story.
From one motherless daughter to another, thank you, Cecelia Rose Honeycutt, for saving a little piece of me.
September 12, 2016
A sweet and tender book that delivers with plenty of southern charm. I loved the simplicity of this story. A full cast of wonderful colourful characters, it depicts the essence of southern hospitality in a heartwarming way. Although at the beginning the story is tinged with sadness it's delivered with a softness that makes you feel all gooey inside.
The women who rally around CeeCee when she goes to live with her Great Aunt in Georgia become paramount in changing CeeCee's life for the better with lots of uplifting lessons learnt along the way. A truly wonderful book!
The women who rally around CeeCee when she goes to live with her Great Aunt in Georgia become paramount in changing CeeCee's life for the better with lots of uplifting lessons learnt along the way. A truly wonderful book!
July 7, 2010
Not fond of this book.
Here's the recipe for this book:
Steal liberally from Pollyanna (including the prism scene), Fried Green Tomatoes(all our woes can be solved by talking to a wise Southern woman), and Steel Magnolias (Southern Belles having a slap down in public);
Add a pinch of Southern racial anecdotes ala The Help(although the maid never minds making food while everyone else has fun, she's just happy to be a friend, and on her feet all day.);
Add the author's own interest in decorating (and being rich);
Dump in a bag of sugar.. wait, no, two bags of sugar, and three bundles of gooey pink cotton candy;
As you stir this mixture together, bit by bit add unrealistic expectations for traumatized children;
Don't bake, that would ruin the sweetness!
Garnish with a picture perfect happy ending, more sugar, and a huge sticky sweet pink bow.
Excuse me, I think I need treatment for diabetes now.
Here's the recipe for this book:
Steal liberally from Pollyanna (including the prism scene), Fried Green Tomatoes(all our woes can be solved by talking to a wise Southern woman), and Steel Magnolias (Southern Belles having a slap down in public);
Add a pinch of Southern racial anecdotes ala The Help(although the maid never minds making food while everyone else has fun, she's just happy to be a friend, and on her feet all day.);
Add the author's own interest in decorating (and being rich);
Dump in a bag of sugar.. wait, no, two bags of sugar, and three bundles of gooey pink cotton candy;
As you stir this mixture together, bit by bit add unrealistic expectations for traumatized children;
Don't bake, that would ruin the sweetness!
Garnish with a picture perfect happy ending, more sugar, and a huge sticky sweet pink bow.
Excuse me, I think I need treatment for diabetes now.
March 29, 2010
I'm about to say something startling, not to say that is out of the norm for me. This book was better than "The Help". There it is and yes, you read that correctly, so you don't need to check it again...LOL. I would seriously listen to this one on audio CD, though....excellently done! I have to be honest and say this book was a bit reminicent of 'The Help' in some ways...but I'm not willing to share what those things are, you would have to read it. I currently live in Savannah, GA...which is where most of the book takes place. I can't say enough about this book...and if I did, I couldn't possibly do the book justice....just read it....I'm not going to say more than that.
I will say that I cried several times..this book touches the heart.
I will say that I cried several times..this book touches the heart.
March 7, 2016
A charming southern style read...reminded me of those strong willed women -and of course their Georgian style etiquette -in steel magnolias. An enjoyable read.
December 28, 2012
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is a heart-warming, tender, poignant and charming story, sprinkled with a whole lot of love. It includes both very sad and very funny moments. Set in Georgia, it is a Southern tale full of quirky, eccentric, most lovable, resilient female characters. One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the fabulous names of the characters. In addition, I adored the descriptions of Savannah. I could almost imagine the beautiful houses, the characters, the town itself. I could almost taste all of that delicious food that Oletta made. I could almost smell the beautiful flowers described throughout. I could almost feel that glorious sunshine in Georgia.
Although this book is not dissimilar to The Secret Life of Bees, I much preferred this one and enjoyed it a whole lot more. Even though I felt I had read the story before in comparative books, and I wouldn’t normally like sugary sweet, which this book was on all accounts, I still loved it. If you are looking for a light, emotive and fuzzy read with captivating characters, this book is ideal.
Although this book is not dissimilar to The Secret Life of Bees, I much preferred this one and enjoyed it a whole lot more. Even though I felt I had read the story before in comparative books, and I wouldn’t normally like sugary sweet, which this book was on all accounts, I still loved it. If you are looking for a light, emotive and fuzzy read with captivating characters, this book is ideal.
November 17, 2015
The opening blurb on Goodreads "Steel Magnolias meets The Help". Apt comparison for sure. Full of Southern charm with the subject of growing up female in the 60's handled tenderly. A slight twist in that the little girl in the story is not southern by birth, coming to live in Savannah after her mother dies in a freakish accident.
I found the cast of characters engaging and easy to love or not, and laughed out loud a few times with the antics of the often eccentric but thoroughly charming women.
Life lessons and pearls of wisdom abounded on subjects every girl needs to learn,forgiveness, grieving,responsibility,nurturing one's self esteem and finding your passion or fire.
I understand this was a debut novel, and I say bravo! I will be looking out for more form this author.
I found the cast of characters engaging and easy to love or not, and laughed out loud a few times with the antics of the often eccentric but thoroughly charming women.
Life lessons and pearls of wisdom abounded on subjects every girl needs to learn,forgiveness, grieving,responsibility,nurturing one's self esteem and finding your passion or fire.
I understand this was a debut novel, and I say bravo! I will be looking out for more form this author.
October 26, 2022
This is a Chick Lit book. If you ever need a prime example of a Chick Lit book you can use this one. The second half of the book (after the sad part) is every little girl's dream. Old gals too. The story is about a 12 year old who goes to live with her great aunt in Savannah, Georgia during the 1960s. The girl's mother died in a tragic accident and her father was incapable of giving her what she needed. The wealthy great aunt lives in a luxurious antebellum mansion.
This is not a young adult book. It has some mildly racy parts.
So now, please excuse me while I go snip some roses from the garden...
This is not a young adult book. It has some mildly racy parts.
So now, please excuse me while I go snip some roses from the garden...
March 25, 2010
I am often a fan of Southern literature because it is frequently filled with colorful, eccentric characters, beautiful descriptions, and improbable situations. At its best, it is also infused with humor. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt lives up to the traditions and expectations.
Cecelia Rose (CeeCee) lives in 1960's Ohio with her increasingly unstable mother, who was the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen, and an increasingly absent father. Her mother, transplanted to the North, was never able to thrive there and becomes lost in a world of Goodwill prom dresses and irrational behaviors that humiliate CeeCee. Circumstances lead CeeCee to a great-aunt in Savannah, a woman as dedicated to saving CeeCee as she is to saving the beautiful old houses in her town.
Is it possible to commit murder by garden slugs? What is the “black boomerang of karma” going to do next? What happens to the racist white man who attacks blacks in a world too quick to believe a bad white man over three good black women?
I found this to be a tender, delightful story with characters I came to love. Well, I didn't love Miz Hobbs, but then, who would?
Cecelia Rose (CeeCee) lives in 1960's Ohio with her increasingly unstable mother, who was the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen, and an increasingly absent father. Her mother, transplanted to the North, was never able to thrive there and becomes lost in a world of Goodwill prom dresses and irrational behaviors that humiliate CeeCee. Circumstances lead CeeCee to a great-aunt in Savannah, a woman as dedicated to saving CeeCee as she is to saving the beautiful old houses in her town.
Is it possible to commit murder by garden slugs? What is the “black boomerang of karma” going to do next? What happens to the racist white man who attacks blacks in a world too quick to believe a bad white man over three good black women?
I found this to be a tender, delightful story with characters I came to love. Well, I didn't love Miz Hobbs, but then, who would?
April 1, 2020
I loved this so much. If you like sweet, charming stories about quirky southern women, I think you will enjoy this one. Set in the 60’s, it touches on some heavy themes but it’s not deep or gritty or especially realistic, and sometimes I’m just in the mood for that.
After her mentally ill mother is killed in a car accident, 12 year old CeeCee leaves behind her unhappy childhood home in Ohio to live in Savannah, Georgia with an aunt she never new she had. Aunt Tootie and her friends help CeeCee to heal and discover the joy in life. In many ways this novel reminded me of one of my favorite books as a child, Auntie Mame.
After her mentally ill mother is killed in a car accident, 12 year old CeeCee leaves behind her unhappy childhood home in Ohio to live in Savannah, Georgia with an aunt she never new she had. Aunt Tootie and her friends help CeeCee to heal and discover the joy in life. In many ways this novel reminded me of one of my favorite books as a child, Auntie Mame.
April 9, 2016
I loved everything about this book, the characters especially. I experienced every kind of emotion while reading this, but the smiles outweighed the heartaches.
Until I have time to write more, and to avoid spoilers, I'll just say that Ceecee's mother, once loving, sinks into psychosis, and twelve-year-old Ceecee ends out with a distant relative in Savannah. A wide variety of things happen in this book, but none felt forced, just the result of interesting characters.
P.S. The audio by Jenna Lamia was wonderful.
Until I have time to write more, and to avoid spoilers, I'll just say that Ceecee's mother, once loving, sinks into psychosis, and twelve-year-old Ceecee ends out with a distant relative in Savannah. A wide variety of things happen in this book, but none felt forced, just the result of interesting characters.
P.S. The audio by Jenna Lamia was wonderful.
January 15, 2011
This was my book club's monthly pick, and that was the only reason I finished it. The characters are stereotypes, with one or two quirks tacked on to make them "eccentric". The conflict, where it exists at all, is neatly wrapped up so that CeeCee can learn a valuable lesson, PSA-style. The description is overwrought and repetitive (everything is "sun-dappled" and looks like "miles of lace"), and the voice seems to swing between 8 and 38 years old. There's no real continuing plot; the book is more a collection of anecdotes. Books written that way can be good, but in this book, there are so many that each one seems diluted, quickly glossed over to get to the next scene. Readers aren't given time to connect to the characters, the supporting characters aren't given time to develop, and the main characters don't change at all. Not that they need to-- their flaws are things like being too nice, too optimistic, too forgiving. Ugh. Way too syrupy-sweet girl-power for my taste. By the end of the book, I felt like I was the one who'd been hit by an ice cream truck.
October 7, 2021
This book was as sweet as peach pie! It was wonderful and made me smile even though it occasionally made my heart hurt. The characters were fabulous and I wish I could hang out with them. I won’t forget any of them anytime soon.
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