Luanne Jones, The Southern Comforts

The Southern Comforts

Luanne Jones

Mira, May 2007, $13.95

ISBN: 0778324222

In Orla, Arkansas at the Aunt Farm, Charma Deane George Parker believes life is tough and then you die, especially since one of her childhood friends, her fifty year old cousin Bess just died not long after their reconciliation (see HEATHEN GIRLS). She enjoys her relationship with Guy Chapman, but believes it is limited, and like everything will go wrong as it once did before; the laughter died with Bess.

Charma's other close cousin Minnie loves her relatives, but would enjoy a moment alone, as she lives with her Aunts Shug and Fawnie, and the ghost of Bess, whose recent death brings home her own mortality. However, she will learn to appreciate what she had after Charma Deane's son Johnny and her daughter Abby arrive to stay awhile, with complications. The Aunt Farm is returning to normal, as life goes on filled with laughter.

THE SOUTHERN COMFORTS is an absorbing family drama, in which the death of a key member impacts the survivors, especially her two cousins. The reactions by Charma and Minnie to Bess' death is realistic, as readers will sympathize with them. The invasion of the extended family to the Aunt Farm is zany, playing a frolicking counterpoint to the grief. Fans of character driven tales with limited action will want to read Luanne Jones's fine reflection on life goes on somewhat painfully until you regain the laughter.