Honestly, I’ve had this book on my to read list for several months and while it was highly recommended the synopsis of the story repelled me. Just as Colin has to forgive and understand what the driving forces are that form Sugar Beth, the reader goes on that same journey. In order to see that Sugar Beth is not a bad person, we also need to see that all the other characters react, act badly, have their own prejudices and bad experiences that make them react in fearful and hurtful ways. The complexity of this book is centered upon the characters. The subtle transformation of his thoughts in that scene make it a powerful moment in the book. The scene where Colin works his revenge upon Sugar Beth is the true turning point in the book. Sugar Beth cannot get on with her life without the forgiveness that Colin gives. While Sugar Beth has changed through the years, it is Colin who has to accept and acknowledge her change. Colin’s character is the real center of this story. There is no easy resolution to the pain that Sugar Beth caused others especially Colin.
As he gets to know her, however, he begins to begrudgingly respect her. Worst of all, her childhood home has been sold to Colin Byrne.Ĭolin begins the book wanting revenge. The people in town who loved her now despise her but she is too proud and guilty to let them defeat her. She is broke and is desperate to find a painting that is her only inheritance. She has returned to town having been married three times. She was the richest, most popular girl in town. Sugar Beth Carey seemed to have the perfect life growing up in Parrish. Everything is going well until the queen bee returns. He is a writer and is writing a series of non-fiction books about the history of the town. Ten years later, Colin returned to Parrish and now he has found a place in the community. Unfortunately, his life was destroyed by the queen bee of the high school who lied and accused him of sexually accosting her. While he wasn’t the best teacher, he felt acceptance in the town for the first time in his life. He had come to the US to write a novel and so he got the job as a teacher at a high school in the small town of Parrish, Mississippi. Amazingly, it is also an incredibly funny book with witty dialog and one of the most amusing dogs.Ĭolin Byrne’s world was destroyed when he was in his early twenties. It is also the story of how the past changes depending on your perspective. It is the story of dealing with pain and loss, complex motivations, revenge and forgiveness and how we all change.
The story was complex and deeply satisfying with characters that were original and fascinating.
I started reading it at 11pm intending on only reading a chapter or two…next thing I knew it was 4:30am and I wanted to read it again. Ain't She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth PhillipsĪIN’T SHE SWEET is a dangerous book.
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