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Under the Magnolias
This night not only marked the end to the drought, but also the end to the long-held secret we'd kept hidden under the magnolias.
Magnolia, South Carolina, 1980
Austin Foster is barely a teenager when her mama dies giving birth to twins, leaving her to pick up the pieces while holding her six siblings together and doing her best to stop her daddy from retreating into his personal darkness.
Scratching out a living on the family's tobacco farm is as tough as it gets. When a few random acts of kindness help to ease the Fosters' hardships, Austin finds herself relying upon some of Magnolia's most colorful citizens for friendship and more. But it's next to impossible to hide the truth about the goings-on at Nolia Farms, and Austin's desperate attempts to save face all but break her.
Just when it seems she might have something more waiting for her--with the son of a wealthy local family who she's crushed on for years--her father makes a choice that will crack wide-open the family's secrets and lead to a public reckoning. There are consequences for loving a boy like Vance Cumberland, but there is also freedom in the truth.
T. I. Lowe's gritty yet tender and uplifting tale reminds us that a great story can break your heart . . . then heal it in the best possible way.
Magnolia, South Carolina, 1980
Austin Foster is barely a teenager when her mama dies giving birth to twins, leaving her to pick up the pieces while holding her six siblings together and doing her best to stop her daddy from retreating into his personal darkness.
Scratching out a living on the family's tobacco farm is as tough as it gets. When a few random acts of kindness help to ease the Fosters' hardships, Austin finds herself relying upon some of Magnolia's most colorful citizens for friendship and more. But it's next to impossible to hide the truth about the goings-on at Nolia Farms, and Austin's desperate attempts to save face all but break her.
Just when it seems she might have something more waiting for her--with the son of a wealthy local family who she's crushed on for years--her father makes a choice that will crack wide-open the family's secrets and lead to a public reckoning. There are consequences for loving a boy like Vance Cumberland, but there is also freedom in the truth.
T. I. Lowe's gritty yet tender and uplifting tale reminds us that a great story can break your heart . . . then heal it in the best possible way.
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2021
1194 people are currently reading
22049 people want to read
About the author
T.I. Lowe
28 books1,784 followersT.I. Lowe is an ordinary country girl who loves to tell extraordinary stories and is the author of nearly twenty published novels including her debut, LULU’S CAFÉ, a #1 bestseller. She lives with her husband and family in coastal South Carolina. Find her at Tilowe.com or on Facebook (T.I.Lowe), Instagram (Tilowe), and Twitter (@Tilowe).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,010 reviews
June 2, 2021
Review posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Poignant, Thought-Provoking, and Affecting.
“Under the Magnolias” will capture your heart and run away with it.
Austin Foster is a teenage girl who is forced to grow up way too fast when her mother passes away and she is left to raise her younger siblings.
Dysfunction runs amok in this familial drama with Austin’s father being at the heart of it.
Tension swirls and heartache rises as Austin desperately tries to save her siblings from realizing the cards they’ve been dealt.
Beautiful, Powerful, and Impactful, this novel drew me in wholly and completely. A coming-of-age novel about hard work, strength, and perseverance that brought tears to my eyes.
This was my first novel by T.I. Lowe. I was blown away by the beautiful, gorgeous, lyrical writing and the heart and soul of each character portrayed in this novel.
“Under the Magnolias” will most certainly be on my Goodreads-Best-of-List for 2021 and is now the runner-up for my favorite book of 2021 right behind “We Begin At The End.”
I received an arc of Under the Magnolias from NetGalley and Tyndale House. For those of you who have Hoopla and are interested, I happened to notice that both the e-book and the audiobook are now available to borrow.
Published on Goodreads and Twitter.
Poignant, Thought-Provoking, and Affecting.
“Under the Magnolias” will capture your heart and run away with it.
Austin Foster is a teenage girl who is forced to grow up way too fast when her mother passes away and she is left to raise her younger siblings.
Dysfunction runs amok in this familial drama with Austin’s father being at the heart of it.
Tension swirls and heartache rises as Austin desperately tries to save her siblings from realizing the cards they’ve been dealt.
Beautiful, Powerful, and Impactful, this novel drew me in wholly and completely. A coming-of-age novel about hard work, strength, and perseverance that brought tears to my eyes.
This was my first novel by T.I. Lowe. I was blown away by the beautiful, gorgeous, lyrical writing and the heart and soul of each character portrayed in this novel.
“Under the Magnolias” will most certainly be on my Goodreads-Best-of-List for 2021 and is now the runner-up for my favorite book of 2021 right behind “We Begin At The End.”
I received an arc of Under the Magnolias from NetGalley and Tyndale House. For those of you who have Hoopla and are interested, I happened to notice that both the e-book and the audiobook are now available to borrow.
Published on Goodreads and Twitter.
February 17, 2023
I’ve had this one sitting on my shelf for far too long! 🤷🏼♀️ It’s a slow burn, but worth the read, picking up pace midway through. 🤔 There’s so much sadness but it’s beautiful too. ❤️
July 4, 2024
✩ 4.25 stars ✩
“I had become a mother before I'd even become a woman.”
What to Expect:
➼ Emotional Coming of Age Story
➼ Rural Southern Setting
➼ Mental Health Awarness
➼ Overcoming Tradgedy
➼ Disability Rep
➼ Family (Both Blood & Found)
➼ Christian Fiction
➼ Single POV
This book held so much in its 384 pages - grief, young love, family bonds, faith, secrets, trauma, forgiveness, depression, the list goes on… I have struggled for days to put my thoughts into words but I think this is one you just have to read for yourself.
I was so impressed by young Austin and all that she took on at such a young age - all while dealing with her own grief. This author’s depiction of depression was hands down the best I have ever read. At times, the darkness nearly consumed Austin’s father, but he is not his sickness. I loved that the author did not vilify him and that she wove so much of his goodness into the story.
This was a raw and emotional story that brought me to tears. In the end, I think the real message is that family is more than just blood. It was truly beautiful to see all the love they poured out on others returned to them when they finally set aside their pride and asked for help. Our burdens are always lighter when we don’t carry them alone. 🤍
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre Read: This is a little different from what I normally read, but it came highly recommended!
🌸 Hope it’s good! 🌸
“I had become a mother before I'd even become a woman.”
What to Expect:
➼ Emotional Coming of Age Story
➼ Rural Southern Setting
➼ Mental Health Awarness
➼ Overcoming Tradgedy
➼ Disability Rep
➼ Family (Both Blood & Found)
➼ Christian Fiction
➼ Single POV
This book held so much in its 384 pages - grief, young love, family bonds, faith, secrets, trauma, forgiveness, depression, the list goes on… I have struggled for days to put my thoughts into words but I think this is one you just have to read for yourself.
I was so impressed by young Austin and all that she took on at such a young age - all while dealing with her own grief. This author’s depiction of depression was hands down the best I have ever read. At times, the darkness nearly consumed Austin’s father, but he is not his sickness. I loved that the author did not vilify him and that she wove so much of his goodness into the story.
This was a raw and emotional story that brought me to tears. In the end, I think the real message is that family is more than just blood. It was truly beautiful to see all the love they poured out on others returned to them when they finally set aside their pride and asked for help. Our burdens are always lighter when we don’t carry them alone. 🤍
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre Read: This is a little different from what I normally read, but it came highly recommended!
🌸 Hope it’s good! 🌸
July 18, 2025
4⭐️
I’m not crying, you’re crying. This book was straight up BEAUTIFUL. I am at a loss for words at just how lyrical and raw and real this was.
I don’t really know what I was expecting when reading this book, but what I found was faith, love, and care. But there was also loss, grief, and an enormous amount of forgiveness, both outwards and in. The characters in this book were a level of real and heartbreaking that you wouldn’t expect. Austin was a FMC that had to learn to grow up because of her life situation rather than growing on her own. She had to take care of her 6 siblings after the loss of their mother and her father went off the deep end, drowning in his demons. This girl had the weight of the entire world on her shoulders and she was the glue holding the family together. She was so complex and deep-rooted and the love this woman had to give others is unmatched. And that was no difference with Vance Cumberland.
This book goes through the journey of Austin’s first love, Vance, and their journey of growth and love blossoming over time. Even during these hardships, the love and attraction and witty banter was nothing short of beautiful. However, I did have a bit of an issue not with them as a couple but more so as them individuals and how they were written. It was touching in the beginning how the story continues with the message of love does not follow the supposed “rule” of status and elite, social positions. I don’t know what happened but like 60% in Austin just would not shut up about the fact that they were so different it wouldn’t work out WHEN THEY’D BEEN MAKING IT WORK FOR YEARS? I was genuinely confused; it’s like it came out of nowhere. I’d also like to point out that the entirety of this book was Austin constantly telling others how they feel and deciding how they should live their lives. It got super annoying ESPECIALLY towards the end of the book. Too many times did I drop my head in frustration.
All that being said, though? This book had so much representation and themes that just touch deep into your soul. That’s the main reason I didn’t rate this lower. This book was GOOD, great even. We had culture representation, bipolar and mental health representation, disability representation, you name it, it was there. And the most important part is that it was done well, so well! This book was sad as much as it was beautiful. Life is not always fair to everyone, but it’s about what you do with what you’re given and how you handle it that decides how life will go.
Overall, if you decide to read this, please check the trigger warnings. This book was heavy and deals with some graphic topics, such as self-harm. I would recommend this to historical fiction lovers who just want to feel something. I am not ashamed to admit this book made me cry several times from just how heartfelt yet heartbreaking it was. This is the sad reality of a case where a young girl got dealt a bad set of cards and would do anything, ANYTHING for her family. I laughed, I cried, I got angered. This book deals you a wheel of emotions and if you can handle it, PLEASE pick this up. 🩵💛
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹:
Okay but can we talk about this beautiful cover first off??!!!
Also I needed a break from thrillers and historical fiction was calling my name 😻😻
I’m not crying, you’re crying. This book was straight up BEAUTIFUL. I am at a loss for words at just how lyrical and raw and real this was.
I don’t really know what I was expecting when reading this book, but what I found was faith, love, and care. But there was also loss, grief, and an enormous amount of forgiveness, both outwards and in. The characters in this book were a level of real and heartbreaking that you wouldn’t expect. Austin was a FMC that had to learn to grow up because of her life situation rather than growing on her own. She had to take care of her 6 siblings after the loss of their mother and her father went off the deep end, drowning in his demons. This girl had the weight of the entire world on her shoulders and she was the glue holding the family together. She was so complex and deep-rooted and the love this woman had to give others is unmatched. And that was no difference with Vance Cumberland.
This book goes through the journey of Austin’s first love, Vance, and their journey of growth and love blossoming over time. Even during these hardships, the love and attraction and witty banter was nothing short of beautiful. However, I did have a bit of an issue not with them as a couple but more so as them individuals and how they were written. It was touching in the beginning how the story continues with the message of love does not follow the supposed “rule” of status and elite, social positions. I don’t know what happened but like 60% in Austin just would not shut up about the fact that they were so different it wouldn’t work out WHEN THEY’D BEEN MAKING IT WORK FOR YEARS? I was genuinely confused; it’s like it came out of nowhere. I’d also like to point out that the entirety of this book was Austin constantly telling others how they feel and deciding how they should live their lives. It got super annoying ESPECIALLY towards the end of the book. Too many times did I drop my head in frustration.
All that being said, though? This book had so much representation and themes that just touch deep into your soul. That’s the main reason I didn’t rate this lower. This book was GOOD, great even. We had culture representation, bipolar and mental health representation, disability representation, you name it, it was there. And the most important part is that it was done well, so well! This book was sad as much as it was beautiful. Life is not always fair to everyone, but it’s about what you do with what you’re given and how you handle it that decides how life will go.
Overall, if you decide to read this, please check the trigger warnings. This book was heavy and deals with some graphic topics, such as self-harm. I would recommend this to historical fiction lovers who just want to feel something. I am not ashamed to admit this book made me cry several times from just how heartfelt yet heartbreaking it was. This is the sad reality of a case where a young girl got dealt a bad set of cards and would do anything, ANYTHING for her family. I laughed, I cried, I got angered. This book deals you a wheel of emotions and if you can handle it, PLEASE pick this up. 🩵💛
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹:
Okay but can we talk about this beautiful cover first off??!!!
Also I needed a break from thrillers and historical fiction was calling my name 😻😻
May 7, 2021
Austin Foster was forced to grow up too fast. At 13 she became a mother to her six siblings, while dealing with her mother's death and father's mental illness. This story is both heartbreaking and uplifting.
The story begins in 1980 and spans a period of almost a decade. Told from Austin's POV, this is a coming-of-age and family drama story full of grit, love, and determination. At times the story felt repetitive and unrealistic, which affected the overall story for me.
The story begins in 1980 and spans a period of almost a decade. Told from Austin's POV, this is a coming-of-age and family drama story full of grit, love, and determination. At times the story felt repetitive and unrealistic, which affected the overall story for me.
June 18, 2021
The story contained inside this book is as gorgeous as the cover. You will fall in love with Austin Foster and her little tribe all named after cities. Life is not easy. Her teenage years are a whirlwind of mothering her five brothers and one sister (two sets of twins) and her father. Pastor Dave has a big personality, a big heart, and struggles with mental illness. The tobacco farm is unrelenting and the children need their father, so the dark side of daddy is swept under the rug for many years. The tyranny of the urgent sets aside what is important. There will be a reckoning. Will Vance Cumberland, the love of Austin's life, make it to the other side? Can there be HEA (Hope Ever After). You will laugh and cry with the Foster family. Loved, loved, loved this book and its gospel message.
April 14, 2021
“At eighty feet tall with a spread of forty feet, the southern magnolia tree was known to get out of hand. The ornamental madam could get a wild leaf to lift her full skirt and take a squat in a yard if she wasn’t made to mind. The self-contained tree was a tidy guest though. Discarded limbs and leaves were kept hidden under her fluffy hem until the debris gradually returned to the very soil that gave it life.”
And so begins this southern story of grit and determination of a young woman taking on the weight of responsibilities most people twice her age would’ve fallen under. Austin (Ox) is this families saving grace as she navigates her family’s way through a life of unyielding challenges while keeping an unwavering faith that God will see them through. The beautiful magnolia tree was such a perfect metaphor for her. A beautiful story of what it means to be family and in “loving them during their sunshine and even during their thunderstorms.” 4.5 stars.
I, also, really loved this from Lowe’s acknowledgements... “My heavenly Father, we sure did have some long conversations about this book. I have no doubt that you gave me this story with an important purpose. My prayer through this journey has been that I wouldn’t get in your way. Still praying I don’t.”
And so begins this southern story of grit and determination of a young woman taking on the weight of responsibilities most people twice her age would’ve fallen under. Austin (Ox) is this families saving grace as she navigates her family’s way through a life of unyielding challenges while keeping an unwavering faith that God will see them through. The beautiful magnolia tree was such a perfect metaphor for her. A beautiful story of what it means to be family and in “loving them during their sunshine and even during their thunderstorms.” 4.5 stars.
I, also, really loved this from Lowe’s acknowledgements... “My heavenly Father, we sure did have some long conversations about this book. I have no doubt that you gave me this story with an important purpose. My prayer through this journey has been that I wouldn’t get in your way. Still praying I don’t.”
November 1, 2022
4 stars
I picked this book up because I thought the cover was so beautiful. T.I. Lowe is a new to me author and I enjoyed this one so much. It was well written, intriguing and thought provoking. It takes place on a farm in South Carolina during the 1980's. The story focuses on Austin Foster and her siblings. Austin is only a teen when she's forced to step up into a maternal role for her six siblings. This book touches on mental health, a dysfunctional but completely lovable family, and though it's not a romance it has a nice love story in it also.
I picked this book up because I thought the cover was so beautiful. T.I. Lowe is a new to me author and I enjoyed this one so much. It was well written, intriguing and thought provoking. It takes place on a farm in South Carolina during the 1980's. The story focuses on Austin Foster and her siblings. Austin is only a teen when she's forced to step up into a maternal role for her six siblings. This book touches on mental health, a dysfunctional but completely lovable family, and though it's not a romance it has a nice love story in it also.
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Susan Bennett
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length:10h 34m
Read
March 9, 2024Not for me.
Lots of southern vibes but I just wasn’t hooked by the story at all.
Lots of southern vibes but I just wasn’t hooked by the story at all.
February 5, 2021
Southern fiction at it's finest. Coming of age like none other. This was my first book by Lowe. I was blown away. Why are more people not reading this authors books? You are going to love these kids you are going to root for them every step of the way. The ending was such a treat, I love a happy ending. Lowe has moved to the top of my must read author list. Oh did I say I now want a tattoo...
I rarely give 5 stars this is a 5 star read and I HIGHLY recommend this book!
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
I rarely give 5 stars this is a 5 star read and I HIGHLY recommend this book!
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
May 4, 2021
T.I. Lowe has written a beautiful and poignant story that has left me undone. I was riveted from page one. At certain points I laughed out loud... and at others I washed my face with my tears. This was heart wrenching and hope filled. Oh, how I loved each and every character she created. Austin Foster will forever be one of my favorite characters in a book. If only I could be more like her. She was hard working, reliable, dependable and a loving care taker. She was a daughter, sibling and girlfriend. She protected those in her care. She gave her all in every aspect of her life. Wouldn't life be so much better off with selfless folks like that in the world today? Every person on the planet should read this beautiful, southern, coming of age romance. This will inspire and uplift. The ending will make you grin and hold the book to your chest with a satisfied sigh.
*I was given a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers and this is my honest opinion.
Ten stars if I could.
*I was given a copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers and this is my honest opinion.
Ten stars if I could.
May 28, 2023
Absolutely wonderful. I wish I could give it more than five stars.
July 14, 2025
I read this book a few years ago, and being in a reading slump, I thought what better time than to re-read a book I enjoy... and I loved it. This book has everything I love: family, faith, love, and an emotional but beautiful story.
Austin is one of my favorite book characters. After losing her mother too soon, and her father facing his inner darkness, she steps up as the oldest to care for her 6 younger siblings. I could relate to her in the ways she would do anything for her siblings, and the love, grit, and determination she displays for her family and pa throughout his struggles. She is such a strong sister and daughter, showing unconditional and sacrificial love.
This book tackles heavier topics surrounding mental illness, and T.I. Lowe did a great job of showcasing the ups and downs that impact a family while also displaying a supportive community, engaging side characters, humorous moments, and a sweet, slow-burn romance.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Susan Bennett, is fantastic! I highly recommend it if you enjoy listening to your books✨
Content to consider: Loss of a parent, mental illness, self-harm, and suicide attempt (heavy, not graphic), kisses only romance, no language
Austin is one of my favorite book characters. After losing her mother too soon, and her father facing his inner darkness, she steps up as the oldest to care for her 6 younger siblings. I could relate to her in the ways she would do anything for her siblings, and the love, grit, and determination she displays for her family and pa throughout his struggles. She is such a strong sister and daughter, showing unconditional and sacrificial love.
This book tackles heavier topics surrounding mental illness, and T.I. Lowe did a great job of showcasing the ups and downs that impact a family while also displaying a supportive community, engaging side characters, humorous moments, and a sweet, slow-burn romance.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Susan Bennett, is fantastic! I highly recommend it if you enjoy listening to your books✨
Content to consider: Loss of a parent, mental illness, self-harm, and suicide attempt (heavy, not graphic), kisses only romance, no language
May 26, 2021
Wow. I don't know if I can quite find the words to do this book justice. I would definitely give it more than five stars if I could, and though I've read a good amount of books that I've enjoyed so far this year, this one is now at the top.
I loved how T.I. dove into the rather touchy subject of mental health, particularly mental health in the 80's in the south. This book was authentic and gritty and yet it never was unbearable or too much. The cast of characters are phenomenal, drawn with the pen of a master, each one intricate and battling with themselves and their world in real ways. I cared about each one, even (and maybe especially) Austin's father, who does a lot of hard-to-comprehend things.
Though this is definitely women's fiction, the romance was just right, as was the beautiful spiritual thread. I can't recommend this book enough.
I loved how T.I. dove into the rather touchy subject of mental health, particularly mental health in the 80's in the south. This book was authentic and gritty and yet it never was unbearable or too much. The cast of characters are phenomenal, drawn with the pen of a master, each one intricate and battling with themselves and their world in real ways. I cared about each one, even (and maybe especially) Austin's father, who does a lot of hard-to-comprehend things.
Though this is definitely women's fiction, the romance was just right, as was the beautiful spiritual thread. I can't recommend this book enough.
May 17, 2022
Just finished listening to this. I loved it so, so much. It's intensely emotional, and all about character. There were several "beauty from ashes" moments where I almost cried because it was so moving. The author handles the issue of mental health with care, respect, and sensitivity. This is a book that will stick with me for a very long time. It speaks to readers on a soul level.
June 26, 2021
Trigger warning :
Under the Magnolias have a lot of elements that I love in books and Yet I struggled with the story every step of the way until I couldn't do it anymore. I’m really sad that this is a DNF for me but I just know when it’s not working.
I quit this story at the mark of 47% so I pushed through as much as I could. I tried and kept trying but it came to a point when I know that I’ll get in a reading slump if I force myself to continue.
To be honest, the premise is brilliant and captivating. This is historical fiction, a genre I adore and It’s also a coming of age story and a family drama with a depiction of struggles, loss, grief, and mental illness, and the complexity of family relationships. It has a lot of elements to portray and to intertwine together and I think if it wasn’t just so boring I would’ve loved it.
I’m sorry but Under the Magnolias was a snoozefest. I tried to care about the plot and I failed. I couldn’t keep a lot of the characters straight in my head and Every time, the story reaches an interesting point or an emotional height, It skips ahead in time and I lose the connection I started to feel or the potential I started to glimpse. It was definitely abrupt and left me feeling cold.
I totally understand why many people are loving and praising this book but It just wasn’t for me. I think other books did a similar story better and I think some of the narrative choices kept from really getting invested. I may check out the author’s other books because I actually enjoyed the writing but this is where I break up with this particular book.
May 4, 2021
'We had no choice but to stomach whatever life tossed our way next.'
This is such a powerfully told novel, as is every novel I've read by this author. Set in the 1980s, young Austin Foster is just barely a teenager when her mother dies and she must take on raising her six siblings, including a set of newborn twins. Her father has taken his wife's death so hard that he is of little use. So Austin has to step up to the plate, including helping run the family's tobacco farm in NC.
Told in Austin's voice, it spans eight years in this family's life. It's truly Southern fiction at its finest, at times edgy, gritty, heartbreaking, but then it will make your heart smile. These Foster kids have to deal with things that no kid should ever have to face. And Austin does her best to hold this family together while bearing a heartbreak that is so weighty at times it seems it cannot be borne, especially by one so young. And they also have to deal with the community believing they are just 'riffraff'. Oh, but God has a plan. He always does. One thing that struck me in this book was the love young Vance had for Austin and nothing could change it. Nothing he endured, or Austin endured, or the hard things that happened, his love prevailed. It was a beautiful thing to watch unfold.
This one will break your heart, then turn around and make your heart smile. Honestly, it's profound. I highly recommend it. TI Lowe has a way of spinning a tale that will grab your and not let you go. As a fellow southerner, her vernacular is one I am totally familiar with and have used myself. I settled myself in and rarely put it down.
I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers via Net Galley. I received no compensation and the opinion in this review is expressly my own.
This is such a powerfully told novel, as is every novel I've read by this author. Set in the 1980s, young Austin Foster is just barely a teenager when her mother dies and she must take on raising her six siblings, including a set of newborn twins. Her father has taken his wife's death so hard that he is of little use. So Austin has to step up to the plate, including helping run the family's tobacco farm in NC.
Told in Austin's voice, it spans eight years in this family's life. It's truly Southern fiction at its finest, at times edgy, gritty, heartbreaking, but then it will make your heart smile. These Foster kids have to deal with things that no kid should ever have to face. And Austin does her best to hold this family together while bearing a heartbreak that is so weighty at times it seems it cannot be borne, especially by one so young. And they also have to deal with the community believing they are just 'riffraff'. Oh, but God has a plan. He always does. One thing that struck me in this book was the love young Vance had for Austin and nothing could change it. Nothing he endured, or Austin endured, or the hard things that happened, his love prevailed. It was a beautiful thing to watch unfold.
This one will break your heart, then turn around and make your heart smile. Honestly, it's profound. I highly recommend it. TI Lowe has a way of spinning a tale that will grab your and not let you go. As a fellow southerner, her vernacular is one I am totally familiar with and have used myself. I settled myself in and rarely put it down.
I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers via Net Galley. I received no compensation and the opinion in this review is expressly my own.
June 27, 2022
I don't see many people mentioning this book. It needs more publicity so that more readers would know about it. The cover caught my attention first and then it became a buddy read. I love to explore new authors so it was a win-win situation for me.
A coming of age story about Austin who lived in the 80s in South Carolina. She was forced to grow up faster than the other kids. I dived into the book blindly and it grew on me when I kept on reading. It was subtle and touching, the writing was smooth and flowing.
I love the 80s, it held a special place in my heart. Lowe gave a fabulous and gripping account of Austin dealing with her family. Miss Wise, Morty and Foxy were colorful characters that added personality to the book.
Readers who enjoyed Where the Crawdas Song would love this book. It was full of hope, love and empathy.
A coming of age story about Austin who lived in the 80s in South Carolina. She was forced to grow up faster than the other kids. I dived into the book blindly and it grew on me when I kept on reading. It was subtle and touching, the writing was smooth and flowing.
I love the 80s, it held a special place in my heart. Lowe gave a fabulous and gripping account of Austin dealing with her family. Miss Wise, Morty and Foxy were colorful characters that added personality to the book.
Readers who enjoyed Where the Crawdas Song would love this book. It was full of hope, love and empathy.
February 17, 2024
Wow 😭😭🤍🤍
October 31, 2022
What I like most about this book is its ending. Life doesn't wrap up neatly, but it gets wrapped up with love. That's how the main character Austin and author T.I. Love do things.
So many good things to say about this novel, and I cannot think of anything negative. Somehow, though, I was able to connect with just a couple of the characters. It's something I can't put my finger on. The most relatable, for me, is Austin. Her dad, vividly and expertly written, showcases the author's ability to capture a persona and present him for all the world to see. I felt deeply connected to the Holocaust survivor, Miss Wise, and I can almost smell her confections. Lovely descriptions of anything and everything involving the senses.
A great read for anyone who is trying to understand someone whose extreme highs and lows impact an entire family. They are a lovable crew.
So many good things to say about this novel, and I cannot think of anything negative. Somehow, though, I was able to connect with just a couple of the characters. It's something I can't put my finger on. The most relatable, for me, is Austin. Her dad, vividly and expertly written, showcases the author's ability to capture a persona and present him for all the world to see. I felt deeply connected to the Holocaust survivor, Miss Wise, and I can almost smell her confections. Lovely descriptions of anything and everything involving the senses.
A great read for anyone who is trying to understand someone whose extreme highs and lows impact an entire family. They are a lovable crew.
January 13, 2022
no matter what your beliefs are, ya’ll should read this book! it is a beautiful story about family, grief, healing and overcoming the battles of life.
historical christian fiction with a romance element 🤍 deals with a lot of hard-hitting topics, leads to great discussion and conversations.
tw: mental illness, self harm, suicide, death of a parent
historical christian fiction with a romance element 🤍 deals with a lot of hard-hitting topics, leads to great discussion and conversations.
tw: mental illness, self harm, suicide, death of a parent
May 14, 2021
It won't take you long to realize that Austin Foster could prove to be a diamond-in-the-rough kind of character, that while digging her out from under the heavy layers of her beginnings might take a fair amount of time and patience, the end result could be stunning. And she doesn't disappoint.
Tasked with virtually raising her six siblings after the traumatic death of her mother, Austin must also carefully side step the moods swings of a grieving father. Working on their family farm together during the best and worst of times only deepens her sense of futility . . . what if this was all that she would ever know, especially when the highly sought after Vance Cumberland, son of one of the most esteemed members of their community, continually offers Austin the gift of unconditional attention. But then again, Dave Foster, also the pastor of a most curious little chapel, could burst forth with impassioned, brilliant sermons . . . leading his little flock by example; one of genuine kindness for the brokenhearted, the misunderstood and the less fortunate.
But the bright and sunny days were always a foreshadowing of the dark and stormy days that were sure to follow. "The tobacco season, Pa, each of us Fosters . . . everything was rapidly unraveling. We'd not only reached our limit, but we'd all picked up some of Pa's symptoms and made each of them our own." Running didn't work. Hiding didn't work. What would it take to find hope "under the magnolias" once again?
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to the one that is alone when he falleth . . . . " Ecclesiastes 4: 9,10
An authentic story, brimming with an eternal testament to the miracle of "healing ever after".
Tasked with virtually raising her six siblings after the traumatic death of her mother, Austin must also carefully side step the moods swings of a grieving father. Working on their family farm together during the best and worst of times only deepens her sense of futility . . . what if this was all that she would ever know, especially when the highly sought after Vance Cumberland, son of one of the most esteemed members of their community, continually offers Austin the gift of unconditional attention. But then again, Dave Foster, also the pastor of a most curious little chapel, could burst forth with impassioned, brilliant sermons . . . leading his little flock by example; one of genuine kindness for the brokenhearted, the misunderstood and the less fortunate.
But the bright and sunny days were always a foreshadowing of the dark and stormy days that were sure to follow. "The tobacco season, Pa, each of us Fosters . . . everything was rapidly unraveling. We'd not only reached our limit, but we'd all picked up some of Pa's symptoms and made each of them our own." Running didn't work. Hiding didn't work. What would it take to find hope "under the magnolias" once again?
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to the one that is alone when he falleth . . . . " Ecclesiastes 4: 9,10
An authentic story, brimming with an eternal testament to the miracle of "healing ever after".
October 11, 2022
Jau kuris laikas buvau "nusitaikiusi" į šią knygą. Akis pirmiausia pavergė be galo dailus viršelis, tačiau perskaičiusi knygos anotaciją supratau, jog turiu perskaityti šią istoriją. Ji pasirodė kaip tik mano skonio. Ir nei kiek neklydau.
Pasakojimas sukasi apie Fosterių šeimą, kurie gyvena Pietų Karolinoje, miestelyje, kuris vadinamas Magnolija. Ten jie augina tabaką bei verčiasi kitais ūkio darbais. Šios šeimos vyriausioji dukra - Ostina, kuriai trylika metų. Netikėtai šeimą sukrečia didelė tragedija.. Gimdydama dyvnukus miršta jos motina. Visa atsakomybė gula ant vargšės mergaitės pečių. Ji priversta pasirūpinti dar šešiais šeimos vaikais bei savo tėvu, kuris visiškai palaužtas šios nelaimės.. Taip tiesiog per naktį Ostinai tenka suaugti.
Mane ši knyga užbūrė nuo pat pirmųjų istorijos puslapių. Skaitant kartu teko išgyventi daugybę emocijų : džiaugsmą, nerimą, skausmą, neapykantą, meilę. Be galo jautri bei peivertusi susimąstyti istorija. Skaitant buvo sunku įsivaizduoti tą vargšę mergaitę, kuriai teko tokia nelengva dalia. Ji nesiskundė, o tiesiog darė tai, kas buvo būtina, jog jos šeima išgyventų. Jos užsispyrimas bei dvasingumas tiesiog negalėjo nesužavėti. Džiaugiuosi, jog jos kelyje pasimaišė Vansas ir buvo jos ramsčiu tuomet, kada rodėsi, jog palūžti yra pats lengviausias pasirinkimas.
Autorė neapsiribijo vien šia skaudžia nelaime, kuri palietė Fosterių šeimą. Šioje knygoje nebuvo pamirštos ir tokios temos kaip psichikos ligos, diskriminacija, Holokaustas bei kita.
Prisipažinsiu, jog buvo vieta, kuomet teko ir susigraudinti 🫢 Mane ši istorija tikrai palietė bei sujaudino. Tikiu, jog kurį laiką dar gyvensiu ja.
Rekomenduočiau "Po magnolijomis" mėgstantiems gyvenimiškas bei jautrias istorijas.
Pasakojimas sukasi apie Fosterių šeimą, kurie gyvena Pietų Karolinoje, miestelyje, kuris vadinamas Magnolija. Ten jie augina tabaką bei verčiasi kitais ūkio darbais. Šios šeimos vyriausioji dukra - Ostina, kuriai trylika metų. Netikėtai šeimą sukrečia didelė tragedija.. Gimdydama dyvnukus miršta jos motina. Visa atsakomybė gula ant vargšės mergaitės pečių. Ji priversta pasirūpinti dar šešiais šeimos vaikais bei savo tėvu, kuris visiškai palaužtas šios nelaimės.. Taip tiesiog per naktį Ostinai tenka suaugti.
Mane ši knyga užbūrė nuo pat pirmųjų istorijos puslapių. Skaitant kartu teko išgyventi daugybę emocijų : džiaugsmą, nerimą, skausmą, neapykantą, meilę. Be galo jautri bei peivertusi susimąstyti istorija. Skaitant buvo sunku įsivaizduoti tą vargšę mergaitę, kuriai teko tokia nelengva dalia. Ji nesiskundė, o tiesiog darė tai, kas buvo būtina, jog jos šeima išgyventų. Jos užsispyrimas bei dvasingumas tiesiog negalėjo nesužavėti. Džiaugiuosi, jog jos kelyje pasimaišė Vansas ir buvo jos ramsčiu tuomet, kada rodėsi, jog palūžti yra pats lengviausias pasirinkimas.
Autorė neapsiribijo vien šia skaudžia nelaime, kuri palietė Fosterių šeimą. Šioje knygoje nebuvo pamirštos ir tokios temos kaip psichikos ligos, diskriminacija, Holokaustas bei kita.
Prisipažinsiu, jog buvo vieta, kuomet teko ir susigraudinti 🫢 Mane ši istorija tikrai palietė bei sujaudino. Tikiu, jog kurį laiką dar gyvensiu ja.
Rekomenduočiau "Po magnolijomis" mėgstantiems gyvenimiškas bei jautrias istorijas.
August 26, 2021
I am almost at a lost what to say about this book. The story of Austen (Ox). A teenage girl that grew up in the 80's. After her Mother dies in childbirth she is forced to take care of her 6 brothers and sisters. Her father a farmer and a preacher has dark times as Austen calls it. Times he goes into his room and don't come out for days. So Austen tries to keep her family together. Then she meet Vance. Eventhough she tries not to like the rich kid in town she falls for him and his sense of security. But as time goes on and her father tries to kill himself and the dark times become more frequent Austen shuts down and tries to deal with it herself, but can she? Will Austen finally get help for her father that he needs. Now many of you probably wonder why he didn't get help right away. I was bipolar in the 8o's and no one barely knew what bipolar was let alone how to treat it. Not until you get really bad will you find help you need. Austen Dad was one who was lost in the cracks like I was back then. The Medical field has come a long way since then, thank God. It is hard to read this book and read how much her father and her family has suffered, but will they ever find the healing they need? If I could I would give this book 10 stars, its that good. It is a sad but also uplifting when a community comes together to help a family in need. Have you ever been in a situation and you think you are alone in your grief? With Christ and the love of many can you get through the most impossible situations. Really you need to read this book. Amazing. This will definitely be on my top 3 of the year!
October 10, 2021
UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS is not the first book by T.I. Lowe that I have read but I’m so happy I got a chance to read this heart warming story. UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS is going to make you want to run to Nolia Farms and help this family out! T.I. Lowe is a fantastic author and you can’t go wrong with anything she writes. This is one of those novels that is hard to step away from. T. I. Lowe manages to once again captivate me with her storytelling. I love how her characters feel completely real and are not cookie-cutter or perfect. She broke my heart with them over and over again.
UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS is a wonderful story full of faith and redemption. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to stop. Austin is such a quirky character and her daddy is beyond grumpy! Vance is a boy that Austin has taken a shine to, but his family is super rich while Austin’s family is barely surviving. Talk about opposites attract! Their conversations had me giggling out loud but sometimes they also broke my heart. If there were ever two people who needed each other, these two are it! I found it very funny how Austin was so annoyed by Vance but just couldn’t stay away from him! There is tension, angst, sorrow, and hope for a new future.
T.I. Lowe has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She made me feel so many different things while I was reading her heart tugging story. One minute I’m giggling and the next there is a huge lump in my throat. The themes she weaves in are wonderful reminders that we only have this one life to live, and we need to live it how God calls us to. Also, we need to remember to follow our dreams and not be afraid of what others might think. All of the characters are flawed in different ways, but you will find yourself cheering for them throughout UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS. I just wanted to reach in the pages and give them all hugs. The end of the story is filled with redemption, love and a renewed sense of hope, which rounds out this lovely story perfectly I can’t wait to read more by this wonderful author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS is a wonderful story full of faith and redemption. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to stop. Austin is such a quirky character and her daddy is beyond grumpy! Vance is a boy that Austin has taken a shine to, but his family is super rich while Austin’s family is barely surviving. Talk about opposites attract! Their conversations had me giggling out loud but sometimes they also broke my heart. If there were ever two people who needed each other, these two are it! I found it very funny how Austin was so annoyed by Vance but just couldn’t stay away from him! There is tension, angst, sorrow, and hope for a new future.
T.I. Lowe has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She made me feel so many different things while I was reading her heart tugging story. One minute I’m giggling and the next there is a huge lump in my throat. The themes she weaves in are wonderful reminders that we only have this one life to live, and we need to live it how God calls us to. Also, we need to remember to follow our dreams and not be afraid of what others might think. All of the characters are flawed in different ways, but you will find yourself cheering for them throughout UNDER THE MAGNOLIAS. I just wanted to reach in the pages and give them all hugs. The end of the story is filled with redemption, love and a renewed sense of hope, which rounds out this lovely story perfectly I can’t wait to read more by this wonderful author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 30, 2022
This book reminded me a bit of the movie Gracie's Choice (which I loved). I enjoyed the first half quite a bit but around halfway through it started to fall flat. The characters are pretty one dimensional and every relationship lacks chemistry. Each character has their one personality trait and they firmly stick to it throughout the entire book.
The story is also very repetitive and nothing really happens. I also think it's a bit tiresome the way the main character spends the entire book pushing away her love interest despite him insisting that he loves her. It feels a bit tropey.
Another review I saw on here mentioned how they tackle a lot of huge and heavy subjects like racism, mental health, suicide, the holocaust, disability, etc. but in a very superficial way and I completely agree. They're referenced often but never explored so there isn't really any substance to any of it.
I didn't realize how much of a religious element there would be to this book, which is fine but coupled with the rather dull storyline, it just wasn't my cup of tea and missed the mark for me. However if this was a movie I would probably watch it.
The story is also very repetitive and nothing really happens. I also think it's a bit tiresome the way the main character spends the entire book pushing away her love interest despite him insisting that he loves her. It feels a bit tropey.
Another review I saw on here mentioned how they tackle a lot of huge and heavy subjects like racism, mental health, suicide, the holocaust, disability, etc. but in a very superficial way and I completely agree. They're referenced often but never explored so there isn't really any substance to any of it.
I didn't realize how much of a religious element there would be to this book, which is fine but coupled with the rather dull storyline, it just wasn't my cup of tea and missed the mark for me. However if this was a movie I would probably watch it.
November 20, 2022
A well-written, thought-provoking story. I didn’t have much information going in about what it was about and in the very beginning, I actually thought of putting it down. It had/has an edginess that I wasn’t sure I was ready for, especially around this time of year.
I am glad I stuck with it. I did switch from the physical copy to listening to the audio version. The narrator did an amazing job. I really enjoyed the ‘80s vibe and was smiling quite a bit at the mention of song titles, certain condiments, grocery stores, etc.
It is a very profound story. There is a bit of darkness (mental illness) that you have to wade through, but I really do feel it was handled in a way that allows growth, education and if you allow - inspiration. And on top of all that, God’s grace.
Rating: PG-13 -some adult situations, mental illness
Language: some implied swearing (no actual words spoken), clean read
Recommend: yes
I am glad I stuck with it. I did switch from the physical copy to listening to the audio version. The narrator did an amazing job. I really enjoyed the ‘80s vibe and was smiling quite a bit at the mention of song titles, certain condiments, grocery stores, etc.
It is a very profound story. There is a bit of darkness (mental illness) that you have to wade through, but I really do feel it was handled in a way that allows growth, education and if you allow - inspiration. And on top of all that, God’s grace.
Rating: PG-13 -some adult situations, mental illness
Language: some implied swearing (no actual words spoken), clean read
Recommend: yes
April 18, 2023
Austin is just 14 years old when she finds her mother dead after giving birth to twins. Now it is up to Austin to help raise her six siblings. Not only is she a mother to her siblings but her father suffers mental illness and during her his dark times, she is determined to protect her siblings, the farm, and father by keeping the truth from friends and neighbors.
This is a Southern coming of age novel that reminded me so much of Where The Crawdads Sing. A girl having to grow up too quickly, keeping secrets from a town that looks down on her. Under the Magnolias felt a lot slower to me though, and while I enjoyed it, it didn't hold my interest as much.
This is a Southern coming of age novel that reminded me so much of Where The Crawdads Sing. A girl having to grow up too quickly, keeping secrets from a town that looks down on her. Under the Magnolias felt a lot slower to me though, and while I enjoyed it, it didn't hold my interest as much.
September 27, 2021
Previously wrote review, which has been erased as were all the comments by either GR or my stalkers.
March 12, 2022
1980 m. Nedidelis Pietų Karolinos miestelis - Magnolija. Jame gyvena gausi Fosterių šeima, kuri ūkyje augina tabaką. Vyriausiąjai iš šeimos vaikų, Ostinai, kuriai yra trylika metų, tenka prisiimti atsakomybę už visą šeimą, kai per nesėkmingą gimdymą miršta mama. Nuo tos dienos paauglė tampa ramsčiu ne tik savo broliams ir seseriai, bet ir palūžusiam tėčiui.
Švelnus, trapus bei tyras knygos viršelis, ne ką mažiau nuostabus ir jos turinys. Kai dabar pasaulyje tokia situacija, aš į šią istoriją žiūrėjau kitomis akimis, kitu kampu. Ieškojau, tikėjausi gilių temų ir, žinokite, radau - net su kaupu. Vietomis norėjosi šypsotis, skaitant jautrias ir širdį glostančias gražias akimirkas, o vietomis skaitant norėjosi verkti, kai buvo aprašomi tokie siaubingi dalykai, kurių nė didžiausiam priešui nelinkėtum, o čia juos teko ištverti paauglei, gerai dar nepažįstančiai gyvenimo. „Po magnolijomis” - tai istorija, apnuoginanti visus dalykus, iš kurių susideda gyvenimo realybė.
Apie holokaustą, apie praradimus, apie psichikos ligas, apie drąsų mokėjimą prisiimti atsakomybę, apie tikrą meilę, trunkančią visą gyvenimą. Rodos, tokios temos - dažnai knygose pasitaikančios, bet šioje istorijoje, mano akimis, jos taip ypatingai, taip gyvenimiškai ir tikroviškai susidėliojo, kad net nustebau, nes nesitikėjau. Trumpai viską, ką pajutau, aptarsiu, kad suprastumėte, kodėl taip teigiamai vertinu šį kūrinį ir kodėl tos temos - tokios reikšmingos.
Holokausto tema literatūroje - nėra naujiena, apie šį procesą nemažai žinome ir iš istorijos. Tačiau žinojimas yra viena, o to patyrimas, išgyvenimas - kita. Manau, autorė labai tikslingai parodė, kokius gilius randus žmogaus viduje palieka tokios situacijos. Kas liečia praradimus, jie neaplenkia nei vieno žmogaus, tačiau kartais pastarieji būna tokie reikšmingi, kad žmogui tenka surasti vidinės stiprybės, kurios jis nė nemanė turįs. Psichikos ligos vis dažniau šmėžuoja literatūroje, bet tai aš vertinu labai teigiamai, kadangi apie jas būtina kalbėti. Esamų problemų slėpimas naudos neduoda niekam, tai tik gali pakenkti sergančiajam. Na, o meilė šioje knygoje aprašyta tokia, kokios norėtume kiekvienas - trunkanti visą gyvenimą, nepaisanti iškylančių kliūčių, mokanti išlaukti tinkamo momento.
Vienintelis trūkumas - pats siužetas, kuris vietomis pasirodė šiek tiek per lėtas, o vietomis - per mažai išpildytas. Tiesa, kai kurie herojų sprendimai atrodė galbūt nelogiški ar labai jau banalūs. Tačiau visa tai tikrai nesumenkino to, ką autorė norėjo perduoti kiekvienam skaitytoju ir ką aš pajutau emociškai. Noriu tikėti, kad kiekvienas, kuris skaitys, tai pajus. „Po magnolijomis” tapo romanu, kurį skaičiau kelis vakarus iš eilės, ir kasdien laukiau to skaitymo, nes norėjau sužinoti, ką tokio stipraus toliau pateiks rašytoja.
Rekomenduoju, jeigu norite neeilinio, o gilių minčių nestokojančio ir, turinio prasme, vertingo romano, kuriame rasite ir gabalėlį įkvėpimo, ir šūsnį gyvenimiškų situacijų, su kuriomis, tvirtai tikiu, susiduria daugelis iš mūsų. Be to, šioje knygoje labai akcentuojama viltis ir tikėjimas, kad viskas anksčiau ar vėliau bus gerai. Šių dviejų dalykų dabartiniame kontekste labai reikia mums visiems, be išimties. Jei Jums patiko „Ten, kur gieda vėžiai”, pritarčiau minčiai, kad patiks ir ši, nes tarp jų pagrindinių veikėjų galima įžvelgti panašumų, ypač charakteryje. Asmeniškai man, „Po magnolijomis” paliko dar geresnį įspūdį, kadangi „Ten, kur gieda vėžiai” mane nuvylė ne vienu aspektu. Jeigu pastaroji knyga Jums visiškai nepatiko, esu linkusi manyti, kad ir ši gali palikti panašų įspūdį. Ne dėl minčių, bet dėl paties aplinkos įvaizdžio, konteksto.
4/5⭐
Švelnus, trapus bei tyras knygos viršelis, ne ką mažiau nuostabus ir jos turinys. Kai dabar pasaulyje tokia situacija, aš į šią istoriją žiūrėjau kitomis akimis, kitu kampu. Ieškojau, tikėjausi gilių temų ir, žinokite, radau - net su kaupu. Vietomis norėjosi šypsotis, skaitant jautrias ir širdį glostančias gražias akimirkas, o vietomis skaitant norėjosi verkti, kai buvo aprašomi tokie siaubingi dalykai, kurių nė didžiausiam priešui nelinkėtum, o čia juos teko ištverti paauglei, gerai dar nepažįstančiai gyvenimo. „Po magnolijomis” - tai istorija, apnuoginanti visus dalykus, iš kurių susideda gyvenimo realybė.
Apie holokaustą, apie praradimus, apie psichikos ligas, apie drąsų mokėjimą prisiimti atsakomybę, apie tikrą meilę, trunkančią visą gyvenimą. Rodos, tokios temos - dažnai knygose pasitaikančios, bet šioje istorijoje, mano akimis, jos taip ypatingai, taip gyvenimiškai ir tikroviškai susidėliojo, kad net nustebau, nes nesitikėjau. Trumpai viską, ką pajutau, aptarsiu, kad suprastumėte, kodėl taip teigiamai vertinu šį kūrinį ir kodėl tos temos - tokios reikšmingos.
Holokausto tema literatūroje - nėra naujiena, apie šį procesą nemažai žinome ir iš istorijos. Tačiau žinojimas yra viena, o to patyrimas, išgyvenimas - kita. Manau, autorė labai tikslingai parodė, kokius gilius randus žmogaus viduje palieka tokios situacijos. Kas liečia praradimus, jie neaplenkia nei vieno žmogaus, tačiau kartais pastarieji būna tokie reikšmingi, kad žmogui tenka surasti vidinės stiprybės, kurios jis nė nemanė turįs. Psichikos ligos vis dažniau šmėžuoja literatūroje, bet tai aš vertinu labai teigiamai, kadangi apie jas būtina kalbėti. Esamų problemų slėpimas naudos neduoda niekam, tai tik gali pakenkti sergančiajam. Na, o meilė šioje knygoje aprašyta tokia, kokios norėtume kiekvienas - trunkanti visą gyvenimą, nepaisanti iškylančių kliūčių, mokanti išlaukti tinkamo momento.
Vienintelis trūkumas - pats siužetas, kuris vietomis pasirodė šiek tiek per lėtas, o vietomis - per mažai išpildytas. Tiesa, kai kurie herojų sprendimai atrodė galbūt nelogiški ar labai jau banalūs. Tačiau visa tai tikrai nesumenkino to, ką autorė norėjo perduoti kiekvienam skaitytoju ir ką aš pajutau emociškai. Noriu tikėti, kad kiekvienas, kuris skaitys, tai pajus. „Po magnolijomis” tapo romanu, kurį skaičiau kelis vakarus iš eilės, ir kasdien laukiau to skaitymo, nes norėjau sužinoti, ką tokio stipraus toliau pateiks rašytoja.
Rekomenduoju, jeigu norite neeilinio, o gilių minčių nestokojančio ir, turinio prasme, vertingo romano, kuriame rasite ir gabalėlį įkvėpimo, ir šūsnį gyvenimiškų situacijų, su kuriomis, tvirtai tikiu, susiduria daugelis iš mūsų. Be to, šioje knygoje labai akcentuojama viltis ir tikėjimas, kad viskas anksčiau ar vėliau bus gerai. Šių dviejų dalykų dabartiniame kontekste labai reikia mums visiems, be išimties. Jei Jums patiko „Ten, kur gieda vėžiai”, pritarčiau minčiai, kad patiks ir ši, nes tarp jų pagrindinių veikėjų galima įžvelgti panašumų, ypač charakteryje. Asmeniškai man, „Po magnolijomis” paliko dar geresnį įspūdį, kadangi „Ten, kur gieda vėžiai” mane nuvylė ne vienu aspektu. Jeigu pastaroji knyga Jums visiškai nepatiko, esu linkusi manyti, kad ir ši gali palikti panašų įspūdį. Ne dėl minčių, bet dėl paties aplinkos įvaizdžio, konteksto.
4/5⭐
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