Cold Sassy Tree

The voice of the main character Will Tweedy pulled me right in. I was drawn into the world of rural Georgia in the turn of the century as if it was yesterday. I could see, smell, taste, and feel everything Olive Ann Burns described. The main character brought me along on his journey in a Huck Finn sort of way that made me feel like his best buddy. 

Cold Sassy Tree is unabashedly naughty and funny and innocent all at the same time. Will comes of age in the early 1900s, and along the way we’re introduced to his family and friends who see him through exploits that rival anything Mark Twain ever cooked up for Tom Sawyer. It’s cooky, crazy, and completely enchanting. This is the spot-on antidote to a crummy week. We all have ‘em, so keep this special novel handy and pick it up when you most need to smile. It will bring you happiness as it does me.

This was a favorite novel of both of my grandparents, who have since passed on, and they encouraged me to read it as a teen. It soon became one of my favorite books. Olive Ann Burns was local to the county where I grew up, so I love it for the local aspect, but also it’s just a really warm, funny, poignant novel that lovingly, hilariously details southern families and all the happiness, heartbreak, and drama they go through.