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Marie Bostwick
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The Restoration of Celia Fairchild Library Binding – Large Print, September 29, 2021

by Marie Bostwick (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,615 ratings
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"The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is wise, witty, and utterly compelling." --Jane Green, New York Times bestselling author of The Friends We Keep Evvie Drake Starts Over meets The Friday Night Knitting Club in this wise and witty novel about a fired advice columnist who discovers lost and found family members in Charleston, by the New York Times bestselling author of The Second Sister. Celia Fairchild, known as advice columnist 'Dear Calpurnia', has insight into everybody's problems - except her own. Still bruised by the end of a marriage she thought was her last chance to create a family, Celia receives an unexpected answer to a "Dear Birthmother" letter. Celia throws herself into proving she's a perfect adoptive mother material - with a stable home and income - only to lose her job. Her one option: sell the Charleston house left to her by her recently departed, estranged Aunt Calpurnia. Arriving in Charleston, Celia learns that Calpurnia had become a hoarder, the house is a wreck, and selling it will require a drastic, rapid makeover. The task of renovation seems overwhelming and risky. But with the help of new neighbors, old friends, and an unlikely sisterhood of strong, creative women who need her as much as she needs them, Celia knits together the truth about her estranged family -- and about herself. The Restoration of Celia Fairchild is an unforgettable novel of secrets revealed, laughter released, creativity rediscovered, and waves of wisdom by a writer Robyn Carr calls "my go-to author for feel-good novels.""--
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    616 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Thorndike Press Large Print
  4. Publication date
    September 29, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    5.51 x 1.18 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1432890255
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1432890254
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thorndike Press Large Print; Large type / Large print edition (September 29, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Library Binding ‏ : ‎ 616 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1432890255
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1432890254
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.54 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.51 x 1.18 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,615 ratings

About the author

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Marie Bostwick

Marie Bostwick

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A while back, my publishing house asked me to update my biography. I wrote two versions. This is the one that DIDN'T make it onto the cover.

"Marie Bostwick was born and raised in the northwest, where, being an overweight and socially awkward child, she collected a whole closetful of imaginary friends that are with her to this day. She graduated from college in 1984 with a bachelors degree in Communications (because it was the only degree that didn't require a statistics course) and a double minor in self-loathing and procrastination. Marie married while she was young and extremely fertile, quickly giving birth to three sons, who are now grown up and don't call nearly as often as they should.

Marie is the published author of a bunch of books. No kidding, a bunch. Like ten. She continues to be amazed by this. So does her high-school English teacher.

When not writing, Marie spends way too much time on Facebook and window shopping for RV's on the internet. Marie loves to quilt. She really, really does. However, her enthusiasm for quilting outstrips her natural talent. This is at least partly because she has the attention span of a gnat and no math skills (see statistics course avoidance above). She is also pretty nearsighted which makes it hard to stitch a consistent quarter-inch seam. After sunset, it's darned near impossible.

Marie likes to garden but is too scattered to give her garden the attention it deserves. The same can be said of her other hobbies -- piano, knitting, guitar, punchneedle embroidery, cooking, and kayaking. (Marie doesn't actually own a kayak but she wants one.) Marie has killed every single houseplant that has ever had the misfortune of coming into her possession. She hasn't balanced her checkbook since the late 80's and can never find her purse, glasses, or car keys.

Fact is, the only thing thing Marie truly knows how to do well is write, so please buy this book, if only to keep her from becoming a burden to society."

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,615 global ratings
A story that will warm the heart!
4 Stars
A story that will warm the heart!
I love the stories where the characters' lives spiral in the big city, and they are forced to go home.  In Celia's defense her cheating ex-husband and the fact that she lost her job were not the reason she went home.  Celia's Aunt Calpurina has passed, and the house had been left to her to do with what she saw best.  Since Celia was in the running for an adoption she needed the money from the sale of the house to buy a respectable family home in the city.  However, with the help of her dearest friend Calvin, she decides to clear out her aunt's massive house and live there, but not without a few bumps in the road every now and then.This was such a fun read!  I don't think I have ever read a book with a southern setting.  It was fun to read about Charleston and the different mannerisms the locals have.  I loved all the characters equally.  It didn't matter that the ladies of the neighborhood were older or younger, they went so well together.  They knew Celia needed help fixing up her dearly departed aunt's house, an aunt who happened to be an extreme hoarder, and they all pitched in.  The fact that the only workers she could afford to help fix the bigger issues were ex-cons made me laugh which I did a lot while reading.  I also teared up when one of the situations went south.  That was the part that shocked me the most!  So sad.If you're looking for a heartwarming story about family and friendship then look no further.  I've always said that your family doesn't have to be made up of the people you're related to, and this author feels the same way.  Welcome home Celia!  Can I please come and visit?!Thank you Uplit Reads, Author Marie Bostwick and William Morrow for my #copy!  This gem of a book is out today!Book Rating: 4/5Wine Pairing:  Rosé All Day 2017
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Top reviews from the United States

David Elliott
5.0 out of 5 stars A Heroine You'd Love to Know
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
Like the ramshackle disaster of a Charleston home she inherits, Celia Fairchild needs to do a lot of work on herself. What she doesn't fully know as her life starts to fall apart is that she has it pretty good, with considerable upside. After losing her job and her means of survival, she "restores" heself in a few short months, even with obstacles and dashed dreams littering her path.

This is a refreshing and uplifing nnovel about friendhsip, kindness and family, the one you're born to and the one you create. It's also about recognizing and capitalizing on second chances. While it may seem like "women's fiction" -- a category the author derides--- this novel is equally relevant for men, especially those who like to venture beyond violence and mayhem that is typically directed at them. Some, myself included, may find themselves even tearing up from time to time.

The Restoration of Celia Fairchild cold have turned sappy, but just as it veers slightly in that direction, Bostwick reels it in. Appealing and fully realized characters -- even dogs -- add to the mix. This warm, wise and funny novel is a winner!
10 people found this helpful
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Patti
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming story - couldn’t put it down!
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2023
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I loved the variety of characters and the twists and turns in this wonderful story. It was fun, it was sad, and it spoke to me.
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Discerning Shopper
4.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable Read
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023
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I don't read much in this genre, but I sometimes need a break from nonfiction and wicked domestic thrillers. This was a very enjoyable book. Well written -- the story flowed -- and well-edited. I chose "The Restoration of Celia Fairchild" for the Charleston setting. I lived in Charleston the best 5 years of my life. If I looked really hard to find one tiny nitpick, it would be the use of "Pickney" for the prominent family name that I'm sure was meant to be Pinckney. Any Google search would confirm that. A little hiccup every time it appeared in the text, but the story was great.
5 people found this helpful
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GreenGables
5.0 out of 5 stars Secular feel good fiction at its finest!
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2022
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What I loved about this book.
1. Charleston, SC setting ( I love that city! )
2. A down to earth main character who was never annoying or too much of anything ( I hate it when characters are overly emotional and/or flakey )
3. The side characters ( gotta have engaging and fun sidekicks )
4. The Dear Calpurnia advice letters and the hopeful musings to Dear Peaches.
5. That is was a clean adult read and did not push any political/social agendas. It was just real.
6. The family that Celia ends up with at the end, and the overall theme that life may not end up how we planned, but the unexpected can still turn into dreams come true.
What I didn’t like about this book.
1. The fact that it ended and the story is over. I could have read on about Celia’s life for way longer.
19 people found this helpful
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Audrey Oxenhorn
5.0 out of 5 stars great writer
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
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This is my second book by Marie Bostwick. Filled with humanity, humour and great characters. Thank you for being a great writer and sharing your soul.
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Kathie H
3.0 out of 5 stars could not put it down!
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2023
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From the first chapter to the end, a marvelous read. As the Celia grows from a “southern dear Abby” and morphs into a back home grown up the story unfolds into a life is hard but I am strong with the help of a community of intertwined people. I look forward to reading more from this author.
3 people found this helpful
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Jammy
5.0 out of 5 stars A great story
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024
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This was an original story about life and family. I enjoyed every minute of it. I look forward to seeing if thus author has written anything else.
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sharon f. leff
4.0 out of 5 stars Families by Choice!
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2023
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For anyone ever lonely, ever distraught, or ever conflicted by families, too much family, not enough family, this story delivers. And if a reader resides in, near, or around Charleston, the story’s setting, rich in history, charm, and beauty welcomes with a warmth of southern hospitality and grace.

When Celia Fairchild loses her position and identity as an advice columnist, she feels lost, defeated and broken…until a return to her roots reawakens the part of her authentic identity she had kept long hidden. Great read.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Beauty60404
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Read
Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2022
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I just loved this book! From the first chapter to the end!
I highly recommend this book!
5 Stars
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Susan
5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle, calming story of love, life and family
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2022
Verified Purchase
I've read all of Marie's books and am a huge fan of the Cobbled Court series. This is just a lovely story of a woman surviving and overcoming the disasters life throws her way and building a new life - and a new family - along the way. With echoes of Anne Hood's book "The Knitting Circle" ( another excellent read) it reminds us that friends are the family we choose for ourselves.
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maggie1612
5.0 out of 5 stars Another amazing book.
Reviewed in Australia on March 9, 2021
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I have just finished reading this book, didn’t want to put it dow. Marie makes here characters so lifelike you really feel you’d know them if you bumped into them in real life.
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