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Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir by Frances Mayes & Giveaway (US only)

March 28, 2014 by Darlene

magnoliaUnder Magnolia: A Southern Memoir is Frances Mayes latest book and it shows a much different Frances Mayes than most of her readers are likely used to. In this memoir she takes us back to her roots and to the struggles and triumphs that made her who she is today. I listened to the audio book which is narrated by Frances Mayes herself and I thought she did a wonderful job. To me a memoir is made all the more powerful when the author reads it themselves.

Frances didn’t have a rosy childhood with a father who was quite ill and a mother who struggled with depression and alcoholism. From a young age she wondered why her family wasn’t like others and why they couldn’t be happy. I think it’s a testament to her that she became the amazing writer she is today. To overcome adversity and rise above it is always an inspiration to others. As a young woman she was basically told she needed a husband because that’s just how things were done and yet she wanted more for herself.

I found too that the dynamic between mother and daughter was interesting. Despite the struggles with her mother Frances always make it clear that nobody is perfect and her mother had good and bad points. Truthfully we all do. While her mother left her with bad feelings she also left her with good ones. In all of it she realizes that her mother never got to have the life she may have wanted and it resulted in her alcoholism and depression. One of things that Frances said that stuck in my mind was that her mother’s life had blossomed into hers meaning that while her mother may not have gotten to see her dreams realized Frances was going to do it for her. It was just so profound to me to be so forgiving and accepting.

This memoir is so different from her memoirs about Tuscany which I loved. Under Magnolia is all about Frances’ memories and she spins them quickly. It’s like a moving portrait of her past as she remembers and it’s very vivid and beautifully told; really very poetic.  This memoir highlights Frances Mayes talents as a writer like no other!

If you’re a fan of Frances Mayes and curious about her life then this memoir is one you’d like. I think those from the South will enjoy it even more as they can connect with the things she refers to and talks about. I’ve long been a fan of Frances Mayes work and her memoir left me feeling enriched for having listened to it especially with her telling her own story. Very moving!

 

GIVEAWAY (US only)

I have one copy of Under Magnolia:  A Southern Memoir by Frances Mayes to share with my US readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave a comment entering the giveaway.
  • Tweet, share on Facebook, or blog for 2 extra entries.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on April 12/14.  Good luck!

 

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2014 - 100+ Books, 2014 ARC's, 2014 Book Reviews, Audiobooks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maxie Anderson says

    March 28, 2014 at 12:50 am

    This book sounds very good, and a great review. I would love to win a copy of this book. I’m a follower and I shared on Facebook. Thanks, Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

  2. anne says

    March 28, 2014 at 8:06 am

    this captivating novel sounds wonderful. What a great feature and giveaway. Thanks.

  3. ellie says

    March 28, 2014 at 9:14 am

    Thanks for your beautiful and engrossing post today which interests me greatly.

  4. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    March 28, 2014 at 9:54 am

    I do love a good southern story. I listened to Under the Tuscan Sky which Mayes narrated but I didn’t think she did a very good job. It sounds like her skills have improved!

  5. pearl says

    March 28, 2014 at 10:11 am

    This memoir sounds fascinating. I have read about the author and her thoughts about writing this book. Many thanks for this giveaway.

  6. KATHLEEN BIANCHI says

    March 28, 2014 at 10:39 am

    I think it is absolutly wonderful how Ms Mayes was able to forgive her parents and move on. I didn’t and held the anger and as you know the anger only hurts the one holding on to it. So she has my greatest admiration and I will love reading this book.

  7. Rhonda Lomazow says

    March 28, 2014 at 11:22 am

    I’m a huge fan of memoirs this one sounds perfect for me.i will tweet @rhondareads

  8. Carl says

    March 28, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    Memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies are totally my thing and this one looks like a real winner. Please enter my name in the draw, I’d love to win a copy. carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    +2 – I tweeted a link to this post: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/449643318431870977

  9. bookworm says

    March 28, 2014 at 5:16 pm

    I was looking at this one recently through Amazon Vine and it sounds good. I agree, overcoming adversity and rising above is inspiring. Glad you enjoyed it!

  10. Melanie Backus says

    March 28, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    I am intrigued by this one. Thank you for the great review.

    melback at cebridge dot net

  11. Karen Sebor says

    March 28, 2014 at 9:36 pm

    This is an author new to me — I would love to win a copy of her book. Gladly I’ll share! Have a nice weekend all!!
    Karen

  12. Lisa says

    March 29, 2014 at 6:23 pm

    I had a hard time with Mayes’ narration when I listened to Under The Tuscan Sky but I think the southern accent through me with a book set in Italy. I think I’d enjoy it much more looking back at her history.

  13. Anita Yancey says

    March 29, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    It sounds interesting. I would enjoy reading about her past and the life she lived. Thanks for having the giveaway.

  14. Anita Yancey says

    March 29, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    Shared on Facebook as Anita Yancey.

    ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

  15. Pamela j says

    April 11, 2014 at 3:53 am

    I enjoy reading memoirs and this one sounds interesting.
    pjames330 at aol dot com

  16. Pamela j says

    April 11, 2014 at 3:55 am

    https://mobile.twitter.com/pj436/status/454558323124084736?p=v
    Tweet

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