The Quaker Café

By: Brenda Bevan Remmes

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Liz Hoole, a free-spirited liberal from the Midwest, marries into a conservative Quaker family, she knows that raising children in compliance with Quaker values will be challenging. Twenty-five years later, she still feels like she's falling short of expectations. Fortunately, her faith and her friends in the small, rural North Carolina town of Cedar Branch keep her strong.

After her best friend's politically powerful father dies, Liz stumbles upon secrets from the past that threaten to unravel the current harmony in Cedar Branch, a town with a history of racial tension. As she researches more and eavesdrops on gossip at the Quaker Café, where everyone meets each morning, Liz soon discovers the truth about an injustice that she cannot reveal to anyone - not even her husband.

Surrounded by a cast of richly drawn Southern characters, Liz learns that even good people can make bad choices. Now, she must decide whether she has the strength to bring a past wrong to light, despite the consequences.

This is a new release of a previously published edition.

©2014 Brenda Bevan Remmes (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Misses The Mark For Me

I could not connect or relate to this story or the characters depicted. I know numerous Quakers and have attended meeting for worship as a guest many times. I have never encountered people like the ones in this book. The story seemed overly contrived and limited in depth and understanding. One dimensional with narration that at times was difficult to follow.

33 people found this helpful

Built up to go nowhere

I liked the basic premise of the book but didn't like how it ended; the main "situation" of the story didn't resolve for me, for others it may.
The narration became confusing at times with the wrong "voice" being used for characters when multiple people where in a conversation. I wanted to be left wanting more...
but wasn't.

5 people found this helpful

Loved loved loved Quaker cafe!

It took me awhile to get into the story and I almost gave up. But the story began to get really engrossing and I am really happy I stuck with it. This was a very emotional story and well executed, both from a writing and narrating standpoint. The characters were extremely well developed by the author. No spoilers in this review... just read it!

1 person found this helpful

Enjoyable read

Please have your narrators learn the correct pronunciation of regional words. Southerners don't pronounce pecans "pee cans". It's p'cahn. Drove me nuts. No pun intended. Otherwise enjoyed the book

3 people found this helpful

Through Laughter and Tears

This book is priceless.
Both entertaining and emotional, the author is able to point out both the differences and similarities of different faiths, families and communities.
I cried and I laughed...
I will watch for other works by this author.

10 people found this helpful

What a Bore! Skip this one!

Never heard of this author but thought I would take a chance since the story sounded interesting....what a bore!!! The narration was very monotone too... Would NOT get another either by this author or the narrator.

15 people found this helpful

For the most part boring and simple

What did you like best about The Quaker Café? What did you like least?

The narrator

Which scene was your favorite?

Nothing stands out as memorable

Do you think The Quaker Café needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

no

Any additional comments?

I felt like I was listening to a children's book at first. Very basic non engaging story line.

4 people found this helpful

Surprised

I very much enjoyed this. I did not read reviews or anything that told me what it was about. I only knew it was a small town story. I was surprised by how much depth there was to it. So many stories entertained. Very enjoyable

3 people found this helpful

Forgiveness

Good story about family members facing truths and forgiveness. Many twists that kept the listener interested. A book I would recommend.

4 people found this helpful

Beautiful

This is a story about family and community. The narrator does such a good job and the story itself is beautiful and lovely. At one point I was listening to this with tears in my eyes. The religious aspects of this are background, its about friendship and community.

6 people found this helpful

Some how lacking

The story starts well enough but as it progresses it becomes a little trite in places. The author acquiesces to tried and tested methods which makes some parts lack authenticity.
Could there have been more written from LouAnne’s perspective I believe so. It was an pleasant story but lacked fleshing out.
Read by Bahni Turpin lent gravitas to the creditably of the story in parts.
I wanted it to have a better ending than it does but judge for yourself.

Second time of listening

This book is a delight, the reading is totally in tune with the writing. I laughed out loud, bit my lip at cutting remarks, and was in wonder at endless patience. The story wove its way smoothly enticing me onward. It was hard to stop listening despite having read the book and listened to the Audible version previously. A joy to have and will be returned to, thank you Audible.

Repercussions of a clandestine love affair

I restarted this book a few times before finally ploughing my way to the end. The storyline is set in a small-time Quaker community, divided by religious and racial differences. A clandestine love affair in the past resulted in an innocent black man being lynched and the repercussions of this have simmered over the years. When Judge Corbett Kendall dies, dark secrets from this event are discovered that threaten to rock the delicate balance of racial harmony.

Although I found the writing dull and tedious, the storyline did give me an insight into the Quaker way of life and the lasting complexities of religious and racial issues in communities of the South after the abolishment of slavery.

The Quaker Cafe

Not sure if it's the narrator but I can't get into this book unfortunately. Finding it rather boring.

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