Saving Ceecee Honeycutt

A Novel

By: Beth Hoffman

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Steel Magnolias meets The Help in this Southern debut novel sparkling with humor, heart, and feminine wisdom.

Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is in trouble. For years, she has been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille-the tiara-toting, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town-a woman trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen. But when Camille is hit by a truck and killed, CeeCee is left to fend for herself. To the rescue comes her previously unknown great-aunt, Tootie Caldwell.

In her vintage Packard convertible, Tootie whisks CeeCee away to Savannah's perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricity, a world that seems to be run entirely by 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.

Laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching, Beth Hoffman's sparkling debut is, as Kristin Hannah says, "packed full of Southern charm, strong women, wacky humor, and good old-fashioned heart." It is a novel that explores the indomitable strengths of female friendship and gives us the story of a young girl who loses one mother and finds many others.

©2010 Beth Hoffman (P)2010 Penguin Audiobooks

Beautiful story!

What did you love best about Saving Ceecee Honeycutt?

That before I had even made it to the 5th chapter, I had experienced a myriad of emotions.

What did you like best about this story?

It is so beautifully worded and reminds me so much of my own childhood and growing up in the south surrounded by strong, southern women. They are so refined and have such a graceful way of speaking and doing things. But underneath those flowery exteriors is tempered steel. Southern women are also some of the most eccentric people bar none! The author was able to capture that perfectly.

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

Her southern dialect is perfection. For most of the book, I felt like my aunt Freddie Jeane was telling me the story.

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

I cried three or 4 times before the 10th chapter - but I believe the part in the peach orchard where it finally hits her that she knew more about her mother's death was the most moving.

Any additional comments?

Love this book - I'm quite disappointed that the author only has one other out. I guess I will be waiting for her to write more.

Fabulous narrator! Did not want the story to end.

Fabulous narrator! She truly brings the characters to life. Did not want the story to end.

slow start for me but well worth sticking with

wonderfully performed. it is hard to believe it is just one person narrating. reminds me of the movie Steel Magnolias.... Showcase of Strong Southern Women

Very Enjoyable

A light listen and good narrator. It kept my interest from beginning to end and I couldn't wait to get back to it. Recommend it highly.

Oh, my! So, very, very good!

Any additional comments?

So surprised I liked this book, thought it would be sappy and thin and wordy and unenjoyable. Boy, was I thrown off my seat in surprise. Couldn't get enough, craved it like chocolate....
Give me more, more, more!

Southern Charm at its best. Lovely book when you want a feel good read, excellent narrator, well defined characters and pe

Lovely book when you want a feel good listen with an excellent narrator, good character development and an author who has this genre mastered.

Wonderful!

I was born in the south and truly enjoyed the telling of this story! The reader did a fantastic job, pleasant to listen to.

Bought the hardcover for my mother

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I enjoyed this book so much I gave it to my mother to read and share with my aunt. Beautiful story of female relationships - familial and family-like.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the women who save Ceecee - mind, body, and spirit. Together they are the perfect mother.

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

Lamia's performance is true to the dialects and personas of the characters. She doesn't try too hard and thereby is genuine and accessible.

If you could rename Saving Ceecee Honeycutt, what would you call it?

Real Ladies Wear Hats and Swim Nude

Any additional comments?

Heart-warming and heart-rending by turns - miss the characters like absent friends.

Sweet, tender story of love and friendship

I absolutely love Jenna Lamia! What a fantastic reader. The story is sweet and full of hope and friendship.

What can I say? I laughed...I cried. And I really loved the story. Well done!

Great

It is nice to have a book that actually leaves you feeling good. Very tender and insightful writing.