Cold Sassy Tree

By: Olive Ann Burns

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

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)

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!

A great listen!!

I really enjoyed Cold Sassy Tree! I liked the way Burns wove the themes of religion and judgement throughout the novel. I appreciated Grandpa's theology.

Most enjoyable...odd technical glitches

I probably would listen to it again in a few years. This version has several places where a sentence is repeated. That, and the galloping speed of the early chapters (which did not sound a bit like Georgia to this Georgia resident) put me off at first. Either he slowed down or my ears sped up, though, because I quite noticing about 2 hours in. The narrator's characters are excellent. Though the repeats continue to be annoying I love this story, and I've very much enjoyed listening to it.

step back to 1906

What a wonderful time I've had. It is 1906 people are trusting and easily scandalized. Time seems to move slower. No phones, no TVs, quiet. The beginning of the consumer society. Life is focused on your family here and there's lots of it because one stays where one is born and everyone knows you, for better and for worse. The author presented this village and I loved everyone in it. It was a quiet time. I was sad to get to the end. The narration was wonderful and Grover Gardner's voice added a genuine note to the time.

Wonderful, Entertaining Story

My husband and I needed to listen to something that would entertain us and make us laugh. This was a perfect respite from all the current world’s struggles.

The characters in this book were all flawed. There was jealousy, gossip, and lots of conflict in the town and within the family, but Grandpa accepted and understood human nature and was not intimidated by anyone’s opinion.

His non traditional perspective on God, faith, and Jesus was an absolute delight.

It was a fantastic story and the narrator was exceptional in the way he portrayed all of the different characters.

I will listen to it again!