The Hurricane Sisters

A Novel

By: Dorothea Benton Frank

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Once again Dorothea Benton Frank takes us deep into the heart of her magical South Carolina Lowcountry on a tumultuous journey filled with longings, disappointments, and, finally, a road toward happiness that is hard earned. There we meet three generations of women buried in secrets. The determined matriarch, Maisie Pringle, at 80, is a force to be reckoned with because she will have the final word on everything, especially when she's dead wrong. Her daughter, Liz, is caught up in the classic maelstrom of being middle-aged and in an emotionally demanding career that will eventually open all their eyes to a terrible truth. And Liz's beautiful 20-something daughter, Ashley, whose dreamy ambitions of her unlikely future keeps them all at odds.

The Lowcountry has endured its share of war and bloodshed like the rest of the South, but this storm season we watch Maisie, Liz, and, Ashley deal with challenges that demand they face the truth about themselves. After a terrible confrontation they are forced to rise to forgiveness, but can they establish a new order for the future of them all? This is the often hilarious, sometimes sobering, but always entertaining story of how these unforgettable women became The Hurricane Sisters.

©2014 Dorothea Benton Frank (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Southern Cliche

I think the characters were likable, although I found the story to be too predictable. I'm southern, but the southern dialect was too much for me.

Heavy Handed Interpretation

What would have made The Hurricane Sisters better?

The character were all stereotypes of Southerners, the matriarch, unappreciative children, etc. Perhaps if I had been reading instead of listening I could have skimmed and gotten to parts of the book that were better, but I was so put off by the narrator's performance, I couldn't stand to hang on. Better to waste an Audible credit than hours of my time.

How could the performance have been better?

This performance was terrible! The narrator was so heavy-handed in her Southern accent and overly emotive reading that I had to stop listening after just a few chapters. She allowed the listener absolutely no room at all to focus on the words of the story.

Any additional comments?

I will never listen to another book by this narrator!

Very disappointed!!!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

It took me to chapter 9 to figure out the characters and it didn't help I had Maisie and Liz confused however even with that I felt the story was shallow and could have been more enhanced on the story line. I almost returned it but being my first book from the author and hearing how people loved her books I wanted to plow through it.

The reviews I've read tell me this isn't her best novel and others are better. I have two in my library and I'll give it another shot. I however wouldn't recommend this as a good read. It needs more meat and potatoes in the story then it might have been worth the money,

I don't like to give poor reviews but I can't give this a better one.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A Paris Apartment or one of Nancy Thayers. I've read all but one of Elin Hildebrand whom I love but saving because I know it will be an excellent read.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Robin Miles?

Kate Rudd possibly or Veronica Roth

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No not really

Any additional comments?

Disappointed thought it was going to be excellent.

good

Any additional comments?

I read and listened to this book and I have to say that the dual experience enhanced the book. When I had quiet time to read, I did and when I was driving or doing chores around the house I listened. I have to say that this deepened the story for me. It gave a voice to the characters and added the southern drawl that is so fun to listen to...but the images of the people and places was all left to my imagination. What fun this book reading/listening experience was.

Who doesn't have a crazy family??? But family is family and you stick together through thick and thin. I felt like The Hurricane Sister was a book filled with life. It was a hot bed of emotions....young love and ambition mixed with naivete. As well as, old love lost and found again, and one nearly lost forever. It is about how despite the hard times, we all find away to recover. It may be accomplished by having a new understanding of a person or situation or a being forced to face a harsh reality brought to light. But with the love of family and friends, we collectively can make it through just about anything. With heart and defined characters Benton Frank creates a story that brings together a family that was once traveling in a million different directions and finds a way to put them on common ground. A delight. 4 stars

Not so interesting. Predictable .

Nice job narrating. Story a traditional "happily ever after". Story not of much interest.

I really enjoy this author

Good book! Kept my interest the whole time, and the narration was very good, also! I find myself talking back to the characters. Well done!

Light fair

Predictable and simplistic. The characters are not particularly complex or believable. I wouldn't read another. But, I did finish it.

not worth my time

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

a narrator with a more authentic accent and additional narrators for male and female characters

What didn’t you like about Robin Miles’s performance?

her accent

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Hurricane Sisters?

too much non-pertinent fluff in the language. not very well written

Any additional comments?

this will be my last attempt at Dorthea Benton Franks

Nothing like a great SC beach story!

If you could sum up The Hurricane Sisters in three words, what would they be?

Family will get you through anything!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hurricane Sisters?

When the arrogant senator insulted her.

Which character – as performed by Robin Miles – was your favorite?

Mazie

If you could take any character from The Hurricane Sisters out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Mazie, Oh what stories she could tell.

Any additional comments?

All of Dorothy Benton Frank books are great stories.

Good one

Oh, I am a fan of all things Dorthea Benton Frank writes. I love her stories set in and around Charleston - which makes it even more fun because her characters are involved in actual spots I visit, eat in, etc. I liked that this story was told by the perspective of four different people in the same family. Liked the mystery involved to. A good read. I also LOVE Robin Miles as a narrator. She does the characters well.