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

Absolutly Delightful!!

What did you love best about Saving Ceecee Honeycutt?

I really loved all the colorful characters. Ms Jenna Lamia does a wonderful job bring them all to life. Her performance is perfection.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Saving Ceecee Honeycutt?

Omg... When Cece took that bra all over town and snapped those photos I laughted out loud.
There are many highlights though. Cece first trip to the beach, her visit to the old folks home, the "Garden Pary Brawl" and many others.

Any additional comments?

This is a wonderful story about how love can heal past pain and how a family can come together out of an unlikly group of peope. I do recommend this book to anyone who loves a story that is filled with compassion and wisdom for one less fortunate.

An Easy Read (Listen)

If you could sum up Saving Ceecee Honeycutt in three words, what would they be?

Sweet, Predictable, Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

This is what I'd call an easy read. An airplane/beach book. Jenna Lamia was superb. The story line could have been a bit more complex, but all in all, I really enjoyed it.... beginning to end.

Fantastic!!

I laughed, I cried, i didnt want it to be over. The imagery is brilliant:)

Enjoyable story about some remarkable women

This was very enjoyable. Story about some remarkable women helping each other in the time of need. The first couple chapters are very sad, but becomes very enjoyable and funny. Narrator is good.

If you enjoyed the The Help, you will like this.

Deja vu

Narrator Jenna Lamia has also read, The Help, Secret Life of Bees and Moon over Manifest... books I really loved. As I started this book I felt it was like a rerun, same plot & voice, different writer... didn't last long. Set in South - yes, but its own delightful cast and story was hard to put down. They save old houses, a hummingbird, an old lady... and never mention saving Ceecee. But as you close the book you realize it has been done.

When is the movie coming out?

This book reminded me of ,The Secret life of Bees. I agree with other reviews that it was a bit predictable and not terribly well written but it was cute and fun and uplifting - just what I need after a long day of stressful work! Would also be great for teens.

Delightful, if a little Rose-Colored-Glasses

I just finished listening to this book this morning, and then in the dentist's office read an article by a woman whose four-year-old was making the family's life miserable because the pink color she had chosen for her bedroom walls two months before was now unacceptable and she wanted dark blue....and right now!! Instead of wondering why her daughter was behaving like such a monster, and dealing with that behavior, she was mulling over (with about 2-1/2 pages) the possible reasons that small children change their color choice.....? It made me remember that while I was reading this book, I actually thought to myself that it wouldn't hurt most of the children in the USA (or at least the ones I know) to live in Cecilia Rose's shoes for a couple months, and that article was perfectly timed to drive the point home. This theme has been visited before, but this is such a very charming rendition, with such excellent narration, that it is well worth a read. It left me feeling good, and with an ardent desire that all children who start out life in difficult - if not impossible - circumstances can then seque into life in Savannah, Georgia. Also with the desire that all children who are born into privilege and love and turn into demanding tyrants can seque into life in Ohio. At least long enough to learn better.

Southern fiction like the old days

Besides The Help and Cold Sassy Tree, there are very few good Southern novels out there. Thank goodness for Beth Hoffman, because now there's another one! I love a believable Southern story, and one with authenticity in character, accent and tone. This book delivers. Jennna Lamia is the golden standard when it comes to Southern narrators, and I adore her! The characters are so bold, coming to life so easily. There were times I laughed out loud at these ladies antics, and other times I wanted to cry with them. I definitely recommend this book, y'all. You will fall in love with Savannah and her people.

Very Entertaining Book !

Cee Cee is from a humble household. She's a preteen. The funniest book I've listened to about "Old south manners" . So cute when she brings her mannerisms to the table. Also a very sweet, touching story of trying to fit in with that family. Most realistic book of the old south since "The Help " . Just Loved it ! Great book for children too . Not too common these days.

Loved this book!

Such a great story! Endearing characters, I didn't want it to end!. Narration was awesome!