The Sweet Taste of Muscadines

A Novel

By: Pamela Terry

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

A woman returns to her small Southern hometown in the wake of her mother’s sudden death - only to find the past upended by stunning family secrets - in this intimate debut novel, crafted with deep compassion and sharp wit.

“A deeply moving work of Southern fiction that will appeal to fans of Where the Crawdads Sing...a story to remember long after the last page is turned.” (Susan Wiggs, number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Lost and Found Bookshop)

Lila Bruce Breedlove never quite felt at home in Wesleyan, Georgia, especially after her father’s untimely demise when she was a child. Both Lila and her brother, Henry, fled north after high school, establishing fulfilling lives of their own. In contrast, their younger sister, Abigail, opted to remain behind to dote on their domineering, larger-than-life mother, Geneva. Yet despite their independence, Lila and Henry know deep down that they’ve never quite reckoned with their upbringing.

When their elderly mother dies suddenly and suspiciously in the muscadine arbor behind the family estate, Lila and Henry return to the town that essentially raised them. But as they uncover the facts Geneva’s death, shocking truths are revealed that overturn the family’s history as they know it, sending the pair on an extraordinary journey to chase a truth that will dramatically alter the course of their lives. The Sweet Taste of Muscadines reminds us all that true love never dies.

©2021 Pamela Terry (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[A] spellbinding account of long-buried secrets coming to light.... With stirring prose and strong characters, Terry captures the complexities of memory and the difficulties of going home.” (Publishers Weekly)

“This moving novel reminds us of the necessity of love, the value of family connection, and the redeeming light of forgiveness. Pamela Terry seems to have a second sight, one that allows her to really see the secret workings of the heart. She writes with humor, elegance, and grace about subjects as universal and diverse as humanity itself.” (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times best-selling author of The Favorite Daughter)

“I was enthralled by Pamela Terry’s gorgeous debut novel about the pleasures and perils of family and the enduring nature of love. Give yourself the gift of imagining the fragrances of magnolia and pine while savoring The Sweet Taste of Muscadines.” (Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times best-selling author of The Jetsetters)

Beautiful

This lush story is so beautifully written, and the narration is wonderful. Highly, highly recommend.

GREAT BOOK!

I’m not sure what the negative reviews are about narration and the book itself, but I really enjoyed this!!! There is not a complaint I can come up with to give it less than 5 stars across the board. Well done! I will recommend to many.

Very different

It was a different story with a different audio style but I couldn’t stop listening! A poignant story of lives forever changed and forgiveness. It was a story set decades ago in a small Southern town, a time when many things were not openly discussed or accepted.

Truth

A hard truth for some but full o love for the rest of us! Well written and narrated.

Nice surprise

Knew nothing of this book...got it on a whim. Absolutely loved it. Xe Sands does a fabulous narration. A fun listen.

if you have a problem with vocal fry, avoid

vocal fry is annoying, and who talks like this, I was waiting for Wilfred Brimley to appear. story was overall preposterous and oversimplified. don't waste a credit.

excellent

I do not usually reread a book, but I can see myself enjoying this one again.

Wonderful

Beautifully descriptive. Can feel yourself being there. Smooth enjoyable vocalist. Strong empathetic and engaging storyline.

Good story but way too drawn out

Way to long. I enjoyed the first half then it really dragged on too long.

grabbed my attention immediately.

I loved it from the start. the intrigue. the passion of friendships and family. I related.
the narrator's tones and accents for each emotion and character brought just the right amount of southern allowing me into each character's persona. Now, I must seek out the sweet taste of the Muscadine grape.