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Perennials Julie Cantrell 9780718037642 Books

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Perennials Julie Cantrell 9780718037642 Books

My Review of "Perennials" by Julie Cantrell

Kudos to Julie Cantrell, author of "Perennials" for such an emotional and heartwarming novel. The symbolism in this book, leads to many layers of life. The genres of this novel are Fiction and Women's Fiction. The timeline of this story as it relates to the characters is the present and as the two sisters in the story were growing up. The story take place mostly in Oxford,Mississippi, where the author shows her characters love for literature, history and flowers. It also takes place in Arizona.

The blurb from the books says"When two estranged sisters reunite for their parents' 50th anniversary, a family tragedy brings unexpected lessons of hope and healing amid the flowers of their mother's perennial garden." The father wants to give his wife a "memory garden" as a special present. The mother has a love for all perennials and living things.

The author describes her characters as complicated and complex. She often uses the symbolic example of a garden, seed, roots foundation, care, love and growth to compare to the characters. The lesson of Judas is brought up and is used to explore the characters flaws, betrayals, secrets, needs, strengths and weaknesses. The author also discusses the concept of "Family First " in this story. Also discussed is sibling rivalry. Secrets and lies also are in this story.

Lovey has left Mississippi at an early age headed to Arizona, where she is a financial success in advertising, and also teaches Yoga. She is called home to help celebrate her loving parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. Told it is an emergency, Lovely leaves immediately and sees her estranged sister Bitsy. Bitsy has two children that Lovely has longed to have a relationship with, but Bitsy has kept them away from her. What has made Bitsy so bitter and angry? What had made Lovely leave Mississippi, and go to Arizona.? What is so important that her parents want Lovely home?

I appreciate the historical research that Julie Cantrell has done in the literature, flowers, and gardens. I love that the author discusses sibling rivalry, betrayal and loyalty, lies and the truth. self-worth, and growth, and positive people and positive things in our lives. The author also talks about the importance of family, friends, support, encouragement, growth, love and hope. Be warned: there are a few Kleenex moments. I would highly recommend this book to readers who appreciate a loving and memorable story. I received this Advanced Reading Copy for my honest review.
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Perennials Julie Cantrell 9780718037642 Books Reviews

I felt like I should love it and I just didn't it. It had moments where I started to get pulled into the story and then -poof- we were back to "Zen garden meaning of life" analogies and I zoned out of the book and never really recovered my interested! Sorry.
This is a 3.5 for me. I enjoyed the story. The author did a nice job drawing a family that at first seems too good to be true, then peeling the layers to uncover the dynamics and dysfunction. There is a religious current throughout, and the last third or so is blatantly Christian. I grew frustrated with the sisters but, having two of my own, that’s realistic. The ending— well, I’m not one to include spoilers. The story captured and kept my attention. I hope y’all enjoy it.
Sisters, and the events and anguish that separate them are the essence of this heartrending story. A comment regarded as preference for one daughter over the other caused bitterness that persisted for a lifetime. Our perceptions of an imagined act of favoritism can eat away at the hearts of our very being. Lovey and Bitsy carried that misguided perception for years. The relationships that paralleled the lives of these sisters were troublesome and unpleasant. Their parents' 50th anniversary party brings the two together after a lengthy separation. Their family yearned that healing would begin if the sisters could see beyond the past and find forgiveness for one another.

This author has a gift of developing strong and believable characters that create a clear picture of how each character functions. Most characters throughout this book are charming and engaging. I had a difficult time liking Lovey and Bitsy, and that influenced my reactions to this book. Names and nicknames affected me as trite and somewhat irritating. This may be a geographical difference and doesn't affect my rating of this book.

The perennial gardens and literary connections add to the execution of this memorable story. That coupled with the relationship between the Sutherlands reveals that true love can survive the test of good and bad times. Adversity comes to all in different ways, and the reactions and actions that one takes has a profound effect on circumstances beyond our control.

Detailed descriptions are breathtaking, and create an artistic portrait of the grandeur that defines Perennials! I highly recommend this very poignant work of art!

Disclaimer I purchased a copy of this book for my own pleasure. All expressed opinions are my own.
4.25 stars. I loved this family. I miss them. And I wish I could sit for a spell in their gorgeous garden.

This novel is the story of a girl who lost herself. And it's a story about sisters. And parents. And it's a story about flowers that sometimes have to struggle in order to bloom. I love how Cantrell uses the metaphor of flowers throughout this novel. There is so much to learn from the flowers and there is so much about God's creation that is not only beautiful, but mind-blowing when you realize the object lessons He included in almost everything He made.

The father in this story is full of wisdom, and he likes to share that wisdom with his adult daughters, whether they like it or not. The mother is the master gardener. There is love lost, dreams lost, and time lost, yet there is a wonderful undercurrent of hope. You’ll find a bit of preaching in this one, but it truly fits with the characters who do it. And honestly? We all need a good sermon once in awhile.
My Review of "Perennials" by Julie Cantrell

Kudos to Julie Cantrell, author of "Perennials" for such an emotional and heartwarming novel. The symbolism in this book, leads to many layers of life. The genres of this novel are Fiction and Women's Fiction. The timeline of this story as it relates to the characters is the present and as the two sisters in the story were growing up. The story take place mostly in Oxford,Mississippi, where the author shows her characters love for literature, history and flowers. It also takes place in Arizona.

The blurb from the books says"When two estranged sisters reunite for their parents' 50th anniversary, a family tragedy brings unexpected lessons of hope and healing amid the flowers of their mother's perennial garden." The father wants to give his wife a "memory garden" as a special present. The mother has a love for all perennials and living things.

The author describes her characters as complicated and complex. She often uses the symbolic example of a garden, seed, roots foundation, care, love and growth to compare to the characters. The lesson of Judas is brought up and is used to explore the characters flaws, betrayals, secrets, needs, strengths and weaknesses. The author also discusses the concept of "Family First " in this story. Also discussed is sibling rivalry. Secrets and lies also are in this story.

Lovey has left Mississippi at an early age headed to Arizona, where she is a financial success in advertising, and also teaches Yoga. She is called home to help celebrate her loving parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. Told it is an emergency, Lovely leaves immediately and sees her estranged sister Bitsy. Bitsy has two children that Lovely has longed to have a relationship with, but Bitsy has kept them away from her. What has made Bitsy so bitter and angry? What had made Lovely leave Mississippi, and go to Arizona.? What is so important that her parents want Lovely home?

I appreciate the historical research that Julie Cantrell has done in the literature, flowers, and gardens. I love that the author discusses sibling rivalry, betrayal and loyalty, lies and the truth. self-worth, and growth, and positive people and positive things in our lives. The author also talks about the importance of family, friends, support, encouragement, growth, love and hope. Be warned there are a few Kleenex moments. I would highly recommend this book to readers who appreciate a loving and memorable story. I received this Advanced Reading Copy for my honest review.