Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Sweet By and By- Todd Johnson

The Sweet By and By
Todd Johnson
Harper, Feb 2010, $13.99
ISBN: 9780061579523

At the Ridgecrest Nursing Center in rural North Carolina, life is repetitively dull everyday for the residents, who wait to die. However, two of them, steel magnolia Margaret Clayton and country music fan Bernice Stokes meet and becomes friends though the former is witty and the latter is incoherent for the most part. They become the dynamic duo nuking every rule.

Their church-going nurse Lorraine watches over the pair closely while protecting them from any real trouble from the brass although she knows the devilish women enjoy stirring her juices. Lorraine’s daughter April attends medical school, but relishes the antics of the two BFFs; as does Rhonda the beautician who does their hair on her off days.

This is an entertaining character study of women bonding although they are from different walks of life and three generations. Rotating perspective between the fearsome five female friends, readers get to know each of the protagonists. Fans who appreciate a wonderful character driven saga that reminds readers what life is all about will relish a visit to Ridgecrest as The Sweet By and By is friendship.

Harriet Klausner

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