ISLANDS by Anne Rivers Siddons
Novelist Anne Rivers Siddons loves the low country around Charleston, South Carolina. She has written about it many times before and undoubtedly she will write about it again. Her latest novel ISLANDS is set in this area, and the islands around Charleston are as much characters in this story as are the humans.
Siddons is one of the South's most talented writers and this is a good story from her. It is not her best book,
HOMEPLACE takes that honor, but it is a good one. The only weakness is in the ending where the story just peters out. If she could have wrapped it up with a bang or an emotional punch Siddons would have had herself a major success.
The story centers around Anny Butler. She is eking out an existence when she meets and marries Charleston doctor Lewis Aiken. He moves her into the elite society of Charleston and introduces her to his clique which is known as "the scrubs." This is because the four men in the group are either doctors or do work in connection with the medical profession.
The men and their wives are a close group and Anny learns to love them all. Since she and Lewis have no children they are free to frolic on the beaches and bask in the sun. They live the good life until tragedy strikes. Then one by one each couple has to come back to the realities of life.
Although the people in this book are very wealthy they are relatable thanks to their infirmities. Plus Siddons brings in another character half way through the story and she is a good old girl who livens things up. Her name is Gaynelle Toomer and she becomes a caretaker of sorts for Anny's friend Camilla.
Gaynelle tells it like it is and brings some humor into the lives of "the scrubs." She also brings along her daughter Britney who is a pre-teen beauty pageant queen. These two people perk up the readers' interest as they brighten up the characters' lives.
Siddons is a great character creator. She makes you feel as if you have really met these various souls, and you take them into your heart and home like old friends. When their stories have ended you miss them and long for a little more information. That is Siddons trademark. She always leaves you wanting a little bit more.
Don't expect a great ending and you will have a lot of fun with this story. It is interesting reading which will keep you entertained. It is flawed but only at the end. Otherwise it is a great way to pass some beach time.
ISLANDS is published by HarperCollins. It contains 374 pages and sells for $24.95.