The Sugar Queen

By: Sarah Addison Allen

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

In this irresistible follow-up to her New York Times best-selling debut, Garden Spells, author Sarah Addison Allen tells the tale of a young woman whose family secrets - and secret passions - are about to change her life forever.

Twenty-seven-year-old Josey Cirrini is sure of three things: winter in her North Carolina hometown is her favorite season, she's a sorry excuse for a Southern belle, and sweets are best eaten in the privacy of her hidden closet. For while Josey has settled into an uneventful life in her mother's house, her one consolation is the stockpile of sugary treats and paperback romances she escapes to each night - until she finds it harboring none other than local waitress Della Lee Baker, a tough-talking, tenderhearted woman who is one part nemesis and two parts fairy godmother.

Fleeing a life of bad luck and big mistakes, Della Lee has decided Josey's clandestine closet is the safest place to crash. In return she's going to change Josey's life - because, clearly, it is not the closet of a happy woman. With Della Lee's tough love, Josey is soon forgoing pecan rolls and caramels, tapping into her startlingly keen feminine instincts, and finding her narrow existence quickly expanding.

Before long, Josey bonds with Chloe Finley, a young woman who makes the best sandwiches in town, is hounded by books that inexplicably appear whenever she needs them, and - most amazing of all - has a close connection to Josey's longtime crush.

As little by little Josey dares to step outside herself, she discovers a world where the color red has astonishing power, passion can make eggs fry in their cartons, and romance can blossom at any time - even for her. It seems that Della Lee's work is done, and it's time for her to move on. But the truth about where she's going, why she showed up in the first place - and what Chloe has to do with it all - is about to add one more unexpected chapter to Josey's fast-changing life.

Brimming with warmth, wit, and a sprinkling of magic, here is a spellbinding tale of friendship, love - and the enchanting possibilities of every new day.

©2008 Sarah Addison Allen (P)2008 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

“Like the most decadently addictive bonbons, once started, Allen’s magically entrancing novel is impossible to put down.” (Booklist [starred review])

“Bewitching…. Such a pleasurable book.” (Publishers Weekly)

Kept hoping it would be over soon

The author carries the reader along in very predictable ways with very little character or relationship development. Not much thought went into descriptive language that would unfold for the readers’ pleasure. I was bored, but listened to the end while doing chores or going to bed. Doesn’t demand much attention nor does it deserve much. A mediocre performance which misses opportunities to intone nuance.

wonderful story

I love this story. It's charming, romantic, insightful, magical, touching, and fun. It's definitely one of my favorites by this author and I love all of her books. There's always a little bit of magic that's acknowledged, but doesn't drive the relationships or plot. This one is particularly original and touching. I can't say anymore without giving things away...

Meh.

I chose this as some kind fluff in between some pretty serious Literature for my Literature class, and it was a little too "fluffy" for my taste. I enjoyed her other works. I was definitely disappointed in this one.

Great twist ending

I love the ending and the characters. I definitely recommend this book for anyone look for a good clever story.

Magical Realism!

I loved this book. The characters were interesting and the storyline was nuanced and fun. Magical realism at its best!

Magical Realism Chick-Lit about Relationships

Enjoyable listen. Kinda slow, but I cared about the characters and what happened to them (evidenced by how often I felt the need to yell at them from my treadmill). This is a book about relationships more than romance, though there’s plenty of that too with various couples. Can’t say I enjoyed it as much as Garden Spells (by this author), but the magical realism I loved in that book served here too, adding to the story without overwhelming it. The ending was satisfying. I preferred this narrator, Karen White, to the one in Garden Spells as I could always understand her. She did a great job differentiating the characters and I felt the voices she chose suited them.

Outstanding

I loved this book, it is a fantastic story and it’s read by a great narrator.

The Sugar Queen

I have enjoyed all of Sarah Addiaon Allen's books, the characters are interesting and the story is full of magic.

Cute and entertaining, but falls flat a bit

Where does The Sugar Queen rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've only listened to 3 so far, and this would rank as #2.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most interesting- the emotions tied up in why people in Blad Slope act as they do. The psychology behind Margaret's actions is particularly interesting, and made her a more likable character. Least interesting might be Josie herself- she seemed more of a slate for the story to run itself on, rather than a focal point sometimes.

What about Karen White’s performance did you like?

Brilliant narration! She gives the characters believable voices, doesn't over-act. Perfect, really.

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

When Margaret's former lover finally spoke to her again.

Any additional comments?

Something was lacking in this one for me. I adored Garden Spells, and wanted more of that magic. I found myself irritated with most of the characters in this book, especially the situation with Chloe. I didn't think there needed to be so much pressure for her to forgive a man who cheated on her- I think it was a poor message to see her give this person another chance. The characters were a bit weak in spirit and seemingly naive to life. I would have liked to see more of the tension unfold with the issue of Josie's fathers' affairs and his offspring from that, but the book ignores this issue quite a bit.

Overall, still a good story with an interesting twist near the end, but I don't think any of it was very unexpected. It's worth a listen, but take it as light entertainment.

so beautifully written

What made the experience of listening to The Sugar Queen the most enjoyable?

I could close my eyes and see the book come alive in my imagination.

What other book might you compare The Sugar Queen to and why?

any and all book written by Sarah Addison Allen