Funny, sad at times, endearing and memorable. A superbly-crafted tale!
Growing up is not easy, and for Honey Giles it is a momentous task. Born on the Mountain and raised by her mother and grandmother, she faces prejudice by the town people, and because of the choices her mother has made and the secret she is determined to keep, Honey is also shunned by her neighbors on the Mountain. Her sister, Eloise, groomed by her mother and intent on rising above her station, pretends they are not related at all, which as Honey learns, is uncomfortably close to the truth. When Honey begins school and her carefree childhood comes to a premature end, the notorious and enigmatic Darrel Smith comes to her aid. Honey realizes that things are rarely as they seem and armed with keen intelligence, unflagging determination, and a peculiar penchant for spelling along with a disdain for standard grammar, she navigates the confusing maze of social convention and double-standards and emerges, on her own terms, victorious. The indomitable spirit of Honey Giles makes For the Love of Honey one of the most memorable books in Southern fiction today. Replete with warmth and humor, every character in this compelling coming-of-age drama is exquisitely wrought and completely unforgettable. It is a poignant, endearing and unflinching look at the nature of family and community and one girl’s struggle to find her place in both, despite the constricting conventions and prejudices that would define her if not for her strong will and determination.
