A family without men, the Birches live gloriously offbeat lives in the lush, green backwoods of North Carolina. In a sad and singular era, they are unique among women of their time. For radiant, headstrong Sophia and her shy and brilliant daughter Margaret possess powerful charms to ward off loneliness, despair, and the human misery that all too often beats a path to their door. And they are protected through the years by the eccentric wisdom and muscular love of the most stalwart Birch of all—a solid, unbending, and uncompromising self-taught healer who can cure everything from boils to broken hones to broken hearts…a remarkable matriarch who calls herself Charlie Kate.
Charms for the Easy Life is the passionate, luminous, and exhilarating New York Times bestseller by Kaye Gibbons, the acclaimed author of Ellen Foster and Sights Unseen.
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"A story of three woman in the south...it's been a while since I read this and I can't remember tons of details right now, but I loved it. The first generation's a natural healer who has cured about everyone in her community. Most of the story is of this woman, her daughter, and her granddaughter...they ways they interact, change, depend on one another, and learn to move in the greater world around them."
— Jenni (5 out of 5 stars)
“Hauntingly beautiful.”
— New York Times Book Review“Intelligent and extraordinary.”
— Dallas Morning News“[Gibbons] creates a touching picture of female bonding and solidarity.”
— Publishers Weekly“A masterful job…Marvelous…Colorful…Engaging…Unforgettable.”
— Southern Living“[Gibbons’] characters remain quirky without being quaint.”
— Library Journal" It wasn't a traditional novel with rising action and climax it was just a series of events. I thought a lot of it was okay but overall it was told in a really "ugly" way. Not enjoyable to read and a little rough to get through. I don't recommend this book. "
— Elizabeth, 2/14/2014" This book was sweet and satisfying. The perfect book to curl up on the couch and remember how much you love to read. "
— Nancy, 2/4/2014" A re-read--probably my favorite of all Kaye Gibbons' books. "
— Alison, 2/1/2014" Well written and wonderful characters. "
— Emily, 1/31/2014" This is a quick read--the characters are very interesting, but there isn't much of a plot. "
— Kara, 1/26/2014" I loved, loved, loved this book. The only thing that I did not like was that it ended. I wish the author would of given us some more on Margaret. The author gave us great endings for Charlie Kate and Sophia I just wish she ,again, would of given us more on Margaret's happy ending. But other than that this novel goes down in my top 10 of best reads so far. "
— Jamie, 1/16/2014" Really enjoyed this book, just a funny, quick summer read!! "
— Megan, 1/10/2014" I liked this book a lot. Loved the characters and their outlook on life. The best part though, was knowing that I could rib a book group member about how the characters didn't like Madame Bovary. He promptly responded with "well yes, but they mentioned Madame Bovary as an important book!" LOL "
— Heather, 1/8/2014" Really intelligent writing. Fun & serious & dramatic. "
— Amy, 12/5/2013" My favorite book of all time! I've read it numerous times. "
— Ashley, 11/21/2013" It is one of my new favorites. I will read it again. The characters of wonderful and the writing is excellent. "
— Cathy, 11/18/2013" Loved this one! The three women in this book have their own strengths which allow them to support one another... such a great read. "
— Debbie, 11/12/2013" The movie is good too! "
— Alicia, 10/31/2013" Incredible, couldn't put it down, absolutely loved Charlie Kate. "
— Kim, 10/21/2013" Loved this book. Great writer. "
— Samantha, 10/2/2013" I loved this book about three women, a daughter, mother and grandmother living together in the South before, during and after WWII. The grandmother is a great character. "
— Tina, 10/1/2013" This book seems to just ramble around and throw things in that seemed entirely unnecessary. Not my favorite. "
— Becky, 5/24/2013" Ultimately the message is as old as the hills; the key to a charmed life is to find and marry a rich man. I know this is in alignment with the time and setting but I was still disappointed. "
— Linda, 3/5/2013" One of my favorite books. It brings back episodes of my childhood growing up in a female dominated, three generation home. "
— Deborah, 2/22/2013" This was an enjoyable read, but there's not a whole lot to it. It really could have been twice as long as it was. "
— Sarah, 12/21/2012" Someone suggested the NC author. Book was am enjoyable, but a slow start. However, I am looking fwd to her Ellen Foster text. "
— Rachel, 11/1/2012" Read again for the 3rd time, One of my favorites. Love the relationship between the 3 generations of women. "
— Kathy, 7/13/2012" I found this book warm, charming, and containing an adequate amount of spunk. I loved how the author writes and would definately read another one of her novels again. "
— Highflyingfool, 6/20/2012" Another book where the women are all wonderful, except they have lousy taste in men. Or is it that all the men are lousy? Can you tell I am not a big fan? I am afraid I did not finish this one. "
— Lauralee, 5/24/2012" Charming, easy read. Interesting characters that you can almost believe really existed. "
— Shelly, 4/17/2012" This wonderfully crafted story about women and southern life was fantastic. A friend gave me a copy because it was one of her favorite books and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a great story. "
— Jenny, 3/28/2012" This was a delightful quick read. I loved the characters and the simple stories. This is a great book for a light read that still has some poignancy to it. "
— Charlotte, 2/4/2012Kaye Gibbons was born in Nash County, North Carolina, and attended North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her 1987 debut, Ellen Foster, received the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction, a special citation from the Ernest Hemingway Foundation, and the Louis D. Rubin, Jr. Prize in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Two of her books, Ellen Foster and A Virtuous Woman, were selected for Oprah’s Book Club in 1998. She is currently a writer-in-residence at the library of North Carolina State University and lives in Raleigh with her husband and three daughters.
Kate Fleming (a.k.a. Anna Fields) (1965–2006), winner of more than a dozen Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award in 2004, was one of the most respected narrators in the industry. Trained at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, she was also a director, producer, and technician at her own studio, Cedar House Audio.
Kate Fleming (a.k.a. Anna Fields) (1965–2006), winner of more than a dozen Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award in 2004, was one of the most respected narrators in the industry. Trained at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, she was also a director, producer, and technician at her own studio, Cedar House Audio.