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Cold Sassy Tree | [Olive Ann Burns]
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Cold Sassy Tree

  • UNABRIDGED
  • by Olive Ann Burns
  • Narrated by Tom Parker
  • Whispersync for Voice-ready
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  • Regular Price :$23.07
  • Whispersync for Voice

    Listen to Cold Sassy Tree, then pick up right where you left off with the Kindle book. Learn more

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What's Trending in Fiction:

  • Average Customer Rating
  • Overall
    (156)
    Performance
    (59)
    Story
    (60)
 
  • LENGTH
    12 hrs and 54 mins
  • RELEASE DATE
    12-01-04
  • AUDIO FORMATS
    About Audio Formats
    2 3 4 Enhanced Audio
 

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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

What the Critics Say

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

What Members Say

Average Customer Rating

4.2 (156 ratings)
5 star
 (81)
4 star
 (44)
3 star
 (21)
2 star
 (7)
1 star
 (3)
Overall
4.5 (60 ratings)
5 star
 (38)
4 star
 (14)
3 star
 (6)
2 star
 (2)
1 star
 (0)
Story
4.6 (59 ratings)
5 star
 (39)
4 star
 (18)
3 star
 (1)
2 star
 (1)
1 star
 (0)
Performance
  •  
    D vista, CA, USA 09-01-06
    D vista, CA, USA 09-01-06
    HELPFUL VOTES
    6
    ratings
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    7
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    "EXCELLENT"

    I enjoyed every minute of the story and the narrative made it even more enjoyable. I highly recommend "Cold Sassy Tree".

    6 of 6 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Brenda Winchester, Ontario, Canada 05-23-10
    Brenda Winchester, Ontario, Canada 05-23-10 Member Since 2007
    HELPFUL VOTES
    3
    ratings
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    140
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    "My absolute favorite"

    This is one of the first audio book I listened to 4 years ago, and it remains my all time favorite. It is narrated by someone who brings the characters and story alive! This is not a big mystery, suspense or romance book, but one that is truly heartwarming - a tale of years gone by. I would be very surprised if this book got an unfavorable review!

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Barbara Durham, NC, United States 06-02-10
    Barbara Durham, NC, United States 06-02-10 Member Since 2010
    HELPFUL VOTES
    12
    ratings
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    114
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    1
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    "Good example of Southern fiction"

    Very interesting example of Southern life in the early part of the 20th century. Seen through the eyes of a young teenager, the story captures the slow charm of the small town life as it hints at the ugly side of the racial relations and lack of women's rights.

    The narration is fine, but there's a small technical glitch: every hour or so, two or three lines are simply repeated. Weird.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Roy San Diego, CA, United States 04-04-08
    Roy San Diego, CA, United States 04-04-08 Member Since 2005
    HELPFUL VOTES
    21
    ratings
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    556
    12
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    "Cold Sassy Tree"

    First, let me tell you that I picked this book because I like listening to the narrator, Tom Parker. His other works led me to Cold Sassy Tree.

    Second, I almost gave up after an hour of listening. However, after that the author's wonderful story telling took over.

    Of the 210 books I listened to the only five stars that I gave out went to; The Road, All the Pretty Horses, Les Miserables, and Echo Park.

    4 of 5 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Susie New Rockford, ND, United States 01-24-12
    Susie New Rockford, ND, United States 01-24-12 Member Since 2010

    Librarian, Avid Reader, Audiobook Addict!

    HELPFUL VOTES
    257
    ratings
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    128
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    50
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    "Wonderful Story Great Narration"

    I really enjoyed this book! It was told by Will Tweedy remembering his 14 year old self and all that went on during that time including his granny death and his granddaddy remarrying very soon after, which started the biddies to talking, because Miss Love is much younger than granddaddy. But there was more to this relationship than anyone in Cold Sassy would ever know, that is except Will he is closest to his granddaddy and sees this relationship different than anyone else.

    This is a very southern novel and the writing plops you right down into the summer of 1906 when the first automobiles are making their appearance. I love Will’s granddaddy he is quite a character. This book will make you laugh and make you cry, it is a coming of age story but so much more because it is not just a story of Will’s family but about the whole town of Cold Sassy.

    I highly recommend listening to this book on audio Tom Parker’s narration is wonderful he really brought this book to life for me!

    I know I’m not doing this justice I did really love it and recommend this to all southern fiction lovers and if you aren’t a fan of southern fiction give this one a try it just might convert you!
    4 1/2 Stars

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Maggie Los Alamitos, CA, USA 07-16-10
    Maggie Los Alamitos, CA, USA 07-16-10 Member Since 2006
    HELPFUL VOTES
    1
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    "Disappointing"

    I listened to this many years ago by a different narrator and loved it. However, I was very disappointed by this particular narrator. This is a southern story and he races through it. Southerners are not in a hurry, but go at a leisurely pace. His southern accents don't convey the tone of this charming story. So sad.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Spurgeon Martinsville, VA, USA 05-15-08
    Spurgeon Martinsville, VA, USA 05-15-08
    HELPFUL VOTES
    3
    ratings
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    31
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    "The Book"

    Now that is how you narrate a book. The gentelman of whom I speak, is by far the best you have.

    3 of 5 people found this review helpful
  •  
    E. Heard Greensboro, NC 05-03-12
    E. Heard Greensboro, NC 05-03-12 Member Since 2011

    Mom of Twins

    HELPFUL VOTES
    3
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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.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    03-17-12
    03-17-12 Member Since 2008
    HELPFUL VOTES
    3
    ratings
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    106
    6
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    1
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    "Fabulous Story - Great Narration"
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    I would recommend, Cold Sassy Tree, to anyone who just wants to get lost in an entertaining story. One of my favorites!


    What does Tom Parker bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

    Tom Parker brings a sense of authenticity to the story that is enhanced by his accent.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Judy Laredo, Texas, United States 12-19-11
    Judy Laredo, Texas, United States 12-19-11

    Writer-book addict with 20 years in central Mexico. Love Kindle Love Audible books Esp by and read by C. Pinkola Estes & Luis Urrea-WOW

    ratings
    REVIEWS
    40
    3
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Disappointment after a fine presentation"
    Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

    Well it would have been GREAT, if the ending had been included in the version I bought. I'm not sure how much I lost -- but at least the last half hour or so.


    What did you like best about this story?

    The look into the multigenerations of a southern family -- and their attitude toward the


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

    His warm voice makes the colloquial phrases and dry wit to life. Like books by Garrison Keillor, this just wouldn't have been the same reading it myself.


    Any additional comments?

    Sure wish I'd heard the end of both the first and second parts...both stopped short and mid-chapter and mid-sentence.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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