THE RESTORATION OF CELIA FAIRCHILD by Marie Bostwick
It is rare I receive a book for which I have no expectations at all. THE RESTORATION OF CELIA FAIRCHILD is one of those books. It arrived by mail and I put it in my “maybe consider” stack. By all odds it should have stayed there and eventually been forgotten. But one day I fond myself in the unique position of not having a next book to read form my ‘must read” stack so I moved to the other stack. I picked up Marie Bostwick’s book and found my interest piqued. I read the first few pages and I was hooked. I think you will be too.
Celia Fairchild is a wonderful character. She is flawed but not in a woe is me way. She has one failed marriage behind her and her career as an advice columnist is wobbly. What does she do? Well she moves to Charleston, South Carolina where she has inherited a house, a badly in need of repairs house. But the house like Celia can be restored and that is what this book is all about.
By having the story set in Charleston all kinds of Karen White memories flooded my mind. Karen has used Charleston as the locale for some of her most popular books. For Bostwick the magic of the city is still there. You believe that a city could be that beautiful; you believe the people who live there could be that nice. Then you add some Dorothea Benton Frank to the mix. Dottie Frank always had a grand supporting cast in her stories and Bostwick does the same. She gives Celia Fairchild a “village” of supporters and it works.
Now comparing Marie Bostwick to Karen White and Dorothea Benton Frank is not meant to be demeaning of Marie Bostwick’s talent. She brings up memories of those other authors’ talent but the skill that brings to life this narrative is all her own. She is a writer to watch and one whose new works should be highly anticipated.
I read a lot of books and THE RESTORATION OF CELIA FAIRCHILD is one of the most indulgent pleasures I have had in some time. The story in this book glides along under its own power. It takes little effort to enjoy it. All you have to do is pick up the book, put on your glasses and go. My only complaint about this story was my dissatisfaction when it was over. I wanted more and for a “critic” to want more is a good thing.
THE RESTORATION OF CELIA FAIRCHILD comes with a high recommendation from me. I am sure you will enjoy it and I am sure you will want more from this amazingly talented writer. My faith in being able to find new fresh voices in literature has been “restored.”
THE RESTORATION OF CELI.A FAIRCHILD is published by William Morrow. It contains 416 pages and sells for $16.99.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
