Harriet twisted the gold wedding band around on her finger, her gaze focused far beyond the front porch and green grass. “She loved him so much that she sacrificed everything she loved so he could be happy.” Her eyes met her sister’s, her expression somber.
Cassie shook her head. “Love isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about meeting each other’s needs — it’s about companionship. not to mention the fact that Miss E’s sacrifice makes Daddy sound incredibly selfish.”
“I don’t think Daddy was being selfish — because that’s not like him at all. I don’t think he was given a choice. I read that letter up in the attic, too. It seemed that Miss E was doing everything she could to make sure Daddy didn’t find her.” She pushed her hair out of her eyes, her gold band catching the sunlight. “And I think you’re wrong about the sacrifice part. Love is all about sacrifices — big and small ones. It’s only when you know how much you could give up for somebody that you know what true love really is.”
(from Falling Home, page 230)
Karen White is my go-to author for Southern fiction. Her endearing characters, emotional stories, and rich descriptions make me want to drop everything, move to a small town far below the Mason-Dixon line, and incorporate humorous phrases like “Butter my butt and call me a biscuit” into everyday conversation. So when I was offered a copy of her latest release, Falling Home, I jumped at the chance to read it. Falling Home was originally published in 2002, and this latest version has been revised to include two additional points of view.
Falling Home is, of course, a coming home story. Fifteen years after leaving home, Cassie Madison is called back to Walton, Georgia, by a late-night phone call from her sister, Harriet. Their father is dying, and Cassie must put her pride on the backburner and make peace with the past and the sister who stole her boyfriend so many years ago. After all, she has several nieces and nephews she’s never met. So Cassie leaves her stylish New York apartment, arrogant fiancé, and successful career behind to say goodbye to her father.
When Cassie learns she has inherited the family home, she stays longer than she’d planned to prepare it for sale. And while Andrew waits for her to return home and is dismayed that her Southern accent has returned, Cassie must figure out how to rebuild her relationship with Harriet; manage her feelings for Sam, the local doctor and an old friend; uncover a secret her father harbored for years; and figure out where she stands in the battle of development vs. preservation.
Told in alternating points of view by Cassie, Harriet, and Harriet’s eldest daughter, Maddie, Falling Home is an emotional tale of family, love, and sacrifice that, despite being predictable, had me shedding a few tears by the end. White’s love for her characters and the small, close-knit town setting shines through, and her easy writing style makes for a quick read.
Cassie, Harriet, and Maddie are all lovable and easy to relate to, and Walton has several eccentric characters, those types that have a special place in my heart for making me laugh. The book made me think about all the places I’ve lived over the years and what home means to me. I thought about my sister and how we’ve been living 8 hours away from one another for nearly a decade. If you’re like me, you’ll need a box of tissues close by when you’re reading this one. Falling Home is both humorous and serious, heartwarming and heartbreaking, but the emotional rollercoaster is definitely worth the ride.
Other Karen White reviews:
The House on Tradd Street
The Girl on Legare Street
The Lost Hours
On Folly Beach
Disclosure: I received a copy of Falling Home from Joan Schulhafer Pulbishing & Media Consulting. I am an Amazon associate.
© 2010 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Oh, I loved this book, too, as well as all of her others that I’ve read. I haven’t read them all, but I’ve read the ones you’ve linked to, except for The Girl on Legare Street. Plus, The Lost Hours.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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My pleasure, Laurel. Karen White’s books are pure comfort reads.
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You know I love Karen White. I hope to get to this one soon, but I want to read some more Vietnam War books!
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Yes, more Vietnam books since the challenge ends at the end of the month!
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What a lovely review, Anna. This is the first Karen White book that I read and it won’t be the last! I hear there will be a sequel in the next year 🙂
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Ooh…a sequel! I’m waiting for the last installment of the Tradd Street books.
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Great review Anna. I’m hoping to start this one very soon.
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Looking forward to your thoughts!
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Lol, Butter my butt and call me a biscuit” , I truly have to try to use that sometimes 🙂
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I’ve heard that phrase used many times, and when I read it in this book, I couldn’t stop laughing.
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I think Karen White’s books are so good because her love of the South is so evident.
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I must agree!
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Great review.One of her books which Ihave not read so far. Have to get to it soon.
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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Karen White is one of my favourite authors! I’ll read anything by her! 😉
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Me, too. 🙂
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This sounds like one I would Like. Thanks for the great review Anna.
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My pleasure! Hope you give it a try.
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I skimmed your review because I have this on my nightstand to read soon…I will make sure that I have kleenex handy!!
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I can’t wait to read your thoughts.
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Loved your review, Anna! I think I’d enjoy this book a lot.
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Thanks, Suko!
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Karen White is on my to-read list. I’ve been reading such positive reviews about all her books, I’m glad you liked this one too.
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I hope you get a chance to read one of her books soon.
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This book sits on my nightstand. I’ve been racing to finish a few challenges, then I’m going to tear into a whole bunch of books I’ve been wanting to read for ages. Great review!
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Thanks, Sandy. I hope you enjoy it!
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This book sounds really good! I’ll be reading a book by the author this month, a new author for me, and I can’t wait.
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I’ll keep an eye out for your review!
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Great review Anna. I just won a copy of this book from Melody’s blog and I’m really looking forward to reading it. I know everyone loves Karen’s books and I just haven’t had the chance to read one yet so I can’t wait.
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Oh, I do hope you enjoy it! Looking forward to your thoughts.
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White really does an amazing job of making her setting come to life. I don’t know that in reality I would want to live in the South but I sure think I would every time I read one of her books!
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I agree, though given how cold it is in the Baltimore area today, the South sounds good right now!
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great review! it makes me want to read the book right away! i haven’t read anything by karen white but i love reading a good southern novel.
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Thanks! I do hope you give one of her novels a try.
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