Over the course of my lifetime, I think I will end up saying ‘I can’t believe I didn’t read this sooner’ quite a bit. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen is one of those reads. I remember picking it up and reading a few pages, because it was there, but I never continued it. Aside from the many positive reviews, my final push to read The Sugar Queen was that I was craving a winter book something fierce.
Josey Cirrini’s life is not perfect by any means although she is upper crust. She has no siblings, no lovers, and no close friends. Her mother resents her for not being beautiful or fitting the mold of Southern Belle. To cope, Josey has outfitted her closet with romance novels and sweets, it becomes a refuge of sorts for her. One day she retreats to her closet and finds a new occupant, Della Baker, who is hiding out from someone. Also, Della acts a bit as Josey’s fairy godmother, pushing Josey to go beyond her confines and break free from her boundaries. Josey’s journey of self-discovery and finding her inner courage ensues.
Intertwined is Chloe Finley’s story. Chloe has this gift. Books show up magically in her hour of need, providing unsolicited but helpful advice and companionship. So, the love of her life cheats on her and Chloe is completely conflicted on whether to take him back or not. The process of Chloe’s decision leads to her truly finding herself and forging her own identity outside of her lover. Can I straight up say I completely empathized with Chloe, as a bookworm myself.
Here’s a passage describing Chloe which I loved:
“He’d just picked up his beer when he looked across the bar to where Chloe had been seated. Her drink, probably a lemon drop because that was her favorite, was still there. And next to it was a book. He knew it was hers. When he first met her, she was never without a book. And shad more books in storage than he had ever seen one person own. It had always fascinated him that she’d consumed so many words, that her head was full of stories, told a thousand different ways. She’d always seemed a little embarrassed by her books, so he’d never pushed the subject.” -pg. 112
Sarah Addison Allen obviously loves words and her prose is the type that I found bouncing in my head for days, as the above example shows. Her southern books are like seasonal, magical treats – once I get my hands on one, I savor it until it’s done and then immediately want another, but I am content to wait until the next season for the next treat -or rather- book to come out.
Disclosure: Purchased copy.
Other Reviews of The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen:
Chachic’s Book Nook
Just Bookin’ Around
The Lost Entwife
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I’ve only read the Peach Keeper but I can’t wait to try Sarah Addison Allen’s other books. I’d heard of her a few years ago when someone I worked with told me how wonderful her books are but it took me this long to try one. I have a feeling that I will love The Sugar Queen when I do read it, especially since it focuses on books. Nice review!
Christina T recently posted..Review- Clarity
I think the world be a better place if more people read Sarah Addison Allen’s books. Great review!
Kate- Midnight Book Girl recently posted..The Girl Who Played With Fire Review
I love Sarah Addison Allen’s books. She’s been on my auto-buy list since I first picked up Garden Spells. I keep hoping to find books similar to her writing but I haven’t found any so far.
Chachic recently posted..What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
I love that you like Sarah Addison Allen, she’s so fantastic. Makes me happy 🙂
Sarah recently posted..Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore
I just read The Peach Keeper and loved it. I’ll have to pick this one up soon.
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