THE WEDDING MACHINE by Beth Webb Hart
This is the one! Beth Webb Hart’s other two novels were just a warm-up to the hope, humor and heart of her latest book, THE WEDDING MACHINE. This is the book you knew she could write based on the talent she evinced in ADELAIDE PIPER and GRACE AT LOW TIDE. THE WEDDING MACHINE is a story of small, southern town life and it seizes you on the first page and holds you hostage to its beauty until the very end.
The book takes a look at the town of Jasper, South Carolina. It is located in the low country and has a laid back, easy-going feel to it. The town loves its traditions and nowhere is that more evident than in the wondrous weddings it throws for its sons and daughters.
A small coterie of women handle the arrangements and presentations for these affairs. At the forefront is Ray, the Princess of Jasper. Ray is not a native but upon her arrival in the town during her high school years she was absorbed by the “in crowd.” Later she married a wealthy and wonderful man who everyone calls “Cousin Willy” because of his likeable nature. This cemented Ray’s status in the eyes of the town but she still harbors some secrets she thinks might affect her status if they were known.
Another member of the group is Sis. Sis is the only “never been married” member of “the wedding machine.” Her high school sweetheart and the love of her life was killed in Vietnam. They had planned to be married but these plans died with him. Now Sis wonders if love has passed her by completely.
The third member of the group is Hilda. She is divorced and not happy about it. Her ex-husband is seeing the town beautician and this is killing Hilda. Not only does it affect her socially, it affects her emotionally as she still loves him.
Finally there is Kitty B. Her life is slowly falling down around her. Her husband has turned into a chronic complainer about his health and everything else. He rarely works and so the family is dependent on her inherited money which is running out. Her house is falling apart and yet she still manages to cook the best food in the community. The only problem is that the more she cooks the larger she gets.
Reading about this group is reminiscent of discovering the “steel magnolias” in that other story. These ladies are just as interesting and would make just as good a movie. They are always saying there aren’t good roles for women in their fifties, well here are four.
If you were raised in the South then you are familiar with women just like these. They inhabit small communities even till this day. They are the backbone of their families and the emotional stronghold for each member. And Beth Webb Hart has captured them perfectly.
Grab this book up as quickly as you can because there is a world of joy residing in its pages. Beth Webb Hart puts the “heart” into her novel along with passion and a quick wit. This is the book she was born to write and readers will be celebrating it all year long.
THE WEDDING MACHINE is published by Thomas Nelson. It contains 320 pages and sells for $14.99.