Review: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Wow! I love when I find a book that I really want to hold on to even after finishing the last chapter. This book certainly was one such book! As those who know me already know, I simply adore stories of ordinary life. I'm not a huge fan of science fiction or fantasy. For this reason, books like Saving CeeCee Honeycutt draw me in and keep me wanting more.

This is yet another coming of age story. I never get sick of those. This one is unique as it deals with coming of age amidst a home life shattered by mental illness and tragedy. It also challenges the convention of what makes a family. I believe this will hit home for many as more and more we see homes consisting of many different combinations of family members (blood related or not).

This book also shows the power of women alone, stating that a woman does not need a man at all times to be happy. However it does not show men as the perpetual bad guy either. Several of the characters are widowed or divorced. Only a few men actually make appearances throughout the course of the story. There also is no love interest for our lead character.

Above all this is a story of self love, kindness to others and forgiveness to all. The characters are unique and interesting. I was left wanting to meet each one and visit their homes because of the wonderful descriptions Hoffman told of them.

There is quite a but of humor peppered through this novel which is crucial in balancing out the awful circumstances CeeCee faces in the first few chapters. One such part caused me to laugh literally out loud one night while playing the 'just one more chapter game. CeeCee is an observer in her new home and neighborhood with her great aunt. One such neighbors is a particularly bitter woman who has disrespected others on the community am who is having an affair with a married police officer. For some reason this fascinates CeeCee and she chooses to deal out karma in her own silly and youthful way: with @the photo exposé of the unpredictable escapades of Miz Hobbs remarkable traveling brassiere" (Hoffman, 203)

I would highly recommend this novel and send a shout out to the lovely, powerful woman who gave it to me! Thank you Mel Finefrock!

Cheers!