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Cold Sassy Tree  By  cover art

Cold Sassy Tree

By: Olive Ann Burns
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Publisher's summary

The one thing you can depend on in Cold Sassy, Georgia, is that word gets around fast. If the preacher's wife's petticoat shows, the ladies will make the talk last a week. But on July 5, 1906, things take a scandalous turn. That is the day E. Rucker Blakeslee, proprietor of the general store and barely three weeks a widower, elopes with Miss Love Simpson, a woman half his age and, worse yet, a Yankee! On that day, 14-year-old Will Tweedy's adventures begin and an unimpeachably pious, deliciously irreverent town comes to life.

Olive Ann Burns's classic best seller brings to vivid life an era that will never exist again, exploring timeless issues of love, death, coming-of-age, and the ties that bind families and generations.

©1984 Olive Ann Burn (P)1993 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Rich in characterization and dialogue, this novel is well-suited to the audio format; Tom Parker superbly conveys this great wealth." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Cold Sassy Tree

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story!

This is the only novel written by journalist Olive Ann Burns which is a pity because it if beautiful. It brings laughter, tears, and reflection. The book was released 31 years ago and is set in 1906.

The narration is quite good, but is too slow; at 150% of recorded speed it is perfect.

Just listen to this novel; I promise you will love it.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

EXCELLENT STORY

What made the experience of listening to Cold Sassy Tree the most enjoyable?

THE READER. HE DID A WONDERFUL JOB!

What other book might you compare Cold Sassy Tree to and why?

MABYE SOME OF STEINBECK'S BOOKS. BECAUSE THE CHARACTERS WERE SO ALIVE. SUCH AS SWEET THURSDAY.

What does Tom Parker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

HE BROUGHT REAL LIFE TO THE CHARACTERS. ESPECALLY GRANDPA.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

SEVERAL. THE TIME WHEN GRANNY WAS ILL AND DIED AND THE PREPARATION FOR THE FUNERAL. AND ANOTHER (SPOILER) I WON'T SAY. BUT NEAR THE END OF THE BOOK.

Any additional comments?

THIS WAS MY SIG. OTHER'S FAVE BOOK SO FAR.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Performance + Quality Writing = Fantastic

If you could sum up Cold Sassy Tree in three words, what would they be?

absorbing, engrossing, immersing

What did you like best about this story?

The writing is rich.

What about Tom Parker’s performance did you like?

Tom Parker's performance was very believable and his voice was very nice to listen to. He sounds like a story-teller should. He made me feel like I was on the porch, listening to a great story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There are parts of this book that make you laugh and parts that make you cry and parts where you can't quit until you find out what happens next.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I didn't want it to end

Great vacation book. Good for the whole family in the car. I felt like I knew the town and the family, and didn't want to say goodbye.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable book

Loved the characters living in the south told by a 14 year old boy. Great fun. The narrator was perfect.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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One of my favorites and read superbly!

One of my favorites and read superbly! Well worth a listen to find a simpler time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Cute story

Easy listen, very cute story about a simpler time. Nice break from heavier topics I’ve been listening to lately.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really good

Very well written and read. It painted a time period I found fascinating and I enjoyed every minute.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Surprised by how much I liked it

I really ended up loving this story. It is a coming of age story, but geared toward adults- not juvenile fiction geared toward teens. I loved it! A great narrator adds charm and heart to the story.

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    4 out of 5 stars

great little story

Would you listen to Cold Sassy Tree again? Why?

no nothing against the book I just would rather listen to something new. I would enjoy another story like Cold Sassy

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cold Sassy Tree?

I liked the train part when he was saying boy howdy

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I liked his accents and how he brought life to each character

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