The Sarah Addison Allen Fan Group discussion

I just picked up Garden Spells again, and the thing that always strikes me most about Sarah Addison Allen's work is her lush, luxurious writing. In Chapter 1 we meet Claire, Evanelle (probably my favorite Waverley!), and of course the Waverley garden -- the source of all of Claire's special ingredients.

"...All the locals knew that dishes made from the flowers that grew around the apple tree in the Waverley garden could affect the eater in curious ways. The biscuits with lilac jelly, the lavender tea cookies, and the tea cakes made with nasturtium mayonnaise the Ladies Aid ordered for their meetings once a month gave them the ability to keep secrets. The fried dandelion buds over marigold-petal rice, stuffed pumpkin blossoms, and rose-hip soup ensured that your company would notice only the beauty of your home and never the flaws. Anise hyssop honey butter on toast, angelica candy, and cupcakes with crystallized pansies made children thoughtful. Honeysuckle wine served on the Fourth of July gave you the ability to see in the dark. The nutty flavor of the dip made from hyacinth bulbs made you feel moody and think of the past, and the salads made with chicory and mint had you believing that something good was about to happen, whether it was true or not."

When we meet Fred Walker, we also find out the some of the quirks of the families living in Bascom -- the Waverleys are strange, the Runions are talkers, the Plemmons are shifty, and the Hopkins men always marry older women. Which of Bascom's families is your favorite?

The last key tidbit that we find out is about the Waverley apple tree. According to local legend, eating an apple off of that curious tree in the Waverley's yard will show you what the biggest event of your life will be. This tidbit may be important when we meet Tyler Hughes, the handsome art professor next door...

In Chapter 2, Sydney Waverley and her five-year-old daughter, Bay, are trying to escape domestic abuse and return to the safety of Bascom. Once they arrive, Claire welcomes them with fresh sheets and strawberry Pop-Tarts -- courtesy of Evanelle, who had a premonition that these things might come in handy. What do you think about the relationship between the sisters? What about the relationship between the sisters and the Waverley name?

This book was so magical for me. I hadn't heard of Sarah and got it as a free Friday nook book! I will certainly reread it along with you guys again to prep for First Frost !

Laura wrote: "This book was so magical for me. I hadn't heard of Sarah and got it as a free Friday nook book! I will certainly reread it along with you guys again to prep for First Frost !"

Read her other ones, too, if you haven't already done so. They're wonderful, though my personal favorite is "Garden Spells."

This book really resonated with me- I picked it first as just a fun, q

That's what I get for typing on a bumpy bus! I meant to say that I didn't expect the insight into the roles we find ourselves in and how we don't have to be trapped by them.

Although it's unimaginative, the Waverlys are really my favorites. Both sisters are so beautifully flawed (i even think a paper could done on the psychology underneath those flaws), and Evanelle is quirky, personable, and simply delightful. Second favorite are the "Clark women [who] craved the spotlight" (69). Emma Clark Matteson is another conflicted, but very believable, human character. In spite of her legacy, she wants to be nicer - to connect with other women, unlike her mother who only plots the outcomes she desires. As Emma struggles with her inner self, i find myself liking her despite the behavior she exhibits.

I can't remember why I picked up Garden Spells, probably my library. But I've been a huge fan of Sarah's ever since. The Sugar Queen is my favorite book, period. But yes, I'll join in here.

Ka wrote: "Although it's unimaginative, the Waverlys are really my favorites. Both sisters are so beautifully flawed (i even think a paper could done on the psychology underneath those flaws), and Evanelle is..."

I agree! So many of these characters are sympathetic -- you really fall in love with the whole town in some ways. I especially love the Hopkins family though, I just think they are simple, good people.

Claire's childhood with her mother is something I can relate to. My mother liked the party and I felt like an afterthought. I found out as an adult that she always respected my independence, granted more than she should have, but she just didn't think she had to worry about me. But as an adult, you really do crave stability, I get that.

Angelique wrote: "What do you think about the relationship between the sisters? What about the relationship between the sisters and the Waverley name? "

I think the relationship between Claire and Sydney is strained for both, uncertain, full of unresolved issues from their past lives together & separate as well as their current lives together and separate.

The real or perceived reputation of a family name can put a lot of pressure on each next generation down the line, which can bring family (like sisters) together or pull them apart. It's only once they accept what the name means for them that they can truly move forward and have their own lives.

Love this book and will happily re-read! I wanted to write down some memorable passages as I read and since I haven't had time to do so I have not yet begun my re-read. I'm borrowing from the library so I don't own it. Wonder if I can find it used at my local book store.

Angelique wrote: "Ka wrote: "Although it's unimaginative, the Waverlys are really my favorites. Both sisters are so beautifully flawed (i even think a paper could done on the psychology underneath those flaws), and ..."

Thanks, Angelique, and I would agree that the characters are sympathetic. I've been *away,* reading The Peach Keeper,, but now that I'm back in the pages of Garden Spells, I'm finding even the slightly strange Mrs. Kranowski adds an interesting feel to the story. It allows readers to see into the happenings from which Claire has tried to both separate and integrate herself. She wants so much to belong, but she also doesn't really want to participate. Sometimes, i feel that way.

Underneath that tension between the Waverley sisters, there is a deep love, too. Claire finds herself thinking of "all the things she wished she could take back;" in fact, she "always wondered if she was the one who made Sydney hate being a Waverley" (42). People don't usually have those kinds of regrets if there isn't abiding love.

The love-hate relationship with the family name is a tough question. Claire, of course, wants to belong, to have roots. Though she doesn't really know it, so does Sydney. If she didn't, she wouldn't have tried so hard to emulate her mother. The sisters have just chosen different ways of *being Waverley.*

I wish this book had been in my repertoire when I was writing a weekly paper applying theory to a text. The novel I used was rich, but this one is richer with material that would have worked beautifully.