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Saving CeeCee Honeycutt: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 33,750 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Read Beth Hoffman's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community.
Steel Magnolias meets The Help in this Southern debut novel sparkling with humor, heart, and feminine wisdom
Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is in trouble. For years, she has been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille-the tiara-toting, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town-a woman trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen. But when Camille is hit by a truck and killed, CeeCee is left to fend for herself. To the rescue comes her previously unknown great-aunt, Tootie Caldwell.
In her vintage Packard convertible, Tootie whisks CeeCee away to Savannah's perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricity, a world that seems to be run entirely by women. From the exotic Miz Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in her backyard bathtub and uses garden slugs as her secret weapons, to Tootie's all-knowing housekeeper, Oletta Jones, to Violene Hobbs, who entertains a local police officer in her canary-yellow peignoir, the women of Gaston Street keep CeeCee entertained and enthralled for an entire summer.
Laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching, Beth Hoffman's sparkling debut is, as Kristin Hannah says, "packed full of Southern charm, strong women, wacky humor, and good old-fashioned heart." It is a novel that explores the indomitable strengths of female friendship and gives us the story of a young girl who loses one mother and finds many others.
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"I had read this book a few years earlier but purchased the audiobook for my husband and I to listen to on a long drive to and from the beach. He usually chooses the manly spy type book but I insisted on choosing this trip. Needless to say he loved the story. When stopping for gas/restroom breaks he would have the book started before I could completely get back in and shut my door! It is a great refreshing story of how one person can change the lives of many. When CeCe left her horrible life and felt like she didn't matter to the world she had no idea the lives she would touch by being that same person. The personalities are so colorful and there is never a dull moment. The story touches on life's issues from how blatantly harsh racism was to how simple things were all at the same time. This book is a must for anyone. You will not be disappointed. "
— Leslie (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“This book unfolds like a lush southern garden, blooming with vivid characters, beauty, and surprises.”
— Kim Edwards, New York Times bestselling author of Lake of Dreams -
“A tender and touching debut. Charming, disarming, sweet as the scent of magnolias on a Southern summer night, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is a true delight.”
— Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of Summer Rental -
“Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is an absolutely delightful debut novel packed full of Southern charm, strong women, and good old-fashioned heart. From the moment you first step into young CeeCee’s unique world, you’ll never want to leave.”
— Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author of Night Road -
“Beth Hoffman has written her heart out in this novel.”
— Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author of Sandcastles -
“I’d save CeeCee if she asked me! I love this bright, funny, spunky girl, the zany women in her life, and the way they enclose CeeCee in a circle of warmth and friendship that heals all hurts. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is a joy to read.”
— Sandra Dallas, New York Times bestselling author of Prayers for Sale -
“A wonderful debut.”
— Daily Mail (London) -
“Anyone in need of a Southern-girl-power fix will find [Saving CeeCee Honeycutt] engaging. And it offers an invaluable reminder: even when things look bleak, a few good friends can turn your life around.”
— People -
“A...Southern charmer.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Jenna Lamia creates delightful characterizations of twelve-year-old CeeCee; her psychotic mother, Camille; her great-aunt Tootie, and other sassy women...With vibrant Southern accents, Lamia portrays a cast of strong, eccentric women...Lamia’s vivid characterizations depict CeeCee’s adjustment to her new life with authenticity and humor.”
— AudioFile -
“[A] charming debut...Exemplifying Southern storytelling at its best, this coming-of-age novel is sure to be a hit.”
— Library Journal (starred review) -
“Light as air...thoroughly pleasant reading.”
— Booklist -
“Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is a gem of a story, lovingly told. Readers who savor books with memorable characters and Southern settings will consider this a novel to treasure.”
— BookPage -
“Humor, wish-fulfillment, and buckets of sentiment bulk out an innocent...debut that would work well for teenage readers.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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Selected for the February 2010 Indie Next List
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt Listener Reviews
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" Sweet, funny, and endearing. "
— Linda, 8/11/2022 -
" Sweet, funny, and endearing. "
— Linda, 8/11/2022 -
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Mary Schmidt, 8/4/2022
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" This is one of my favorite books, and I find myself listening to it at least once a year!!! I love all of the characters and can relate to sweet CeeCee. It is such a joy to learn where she came from and see her grow into an amazing young woman with the help of her great aunt Tootie. Highly recommend reading this book. "
— Tawana, 11/7/2018 -
" This book is a great story of a young girl and her story of hardship with a non-existing father in denial, and a crazy mother who needed constant watch. When all hope is lost she finds that there is more to life than always giving and never receiving what she desires most....a loving family. Love also comes in all colors and personalities. A good lesson for us all. "
— LeslieJo, 11/30/2015 -
" Wonderful story of a girl & the family she acquires after the death of her mother. Warning: after you read it, you will want to pack up & head for Savannah! "
— Sue, 2/19/2014 -
" This book was like a breath of sweet southern air and a glass of iced tea on a hot summer evening. The characters were very well developed and the kind that stay with you for a long time. I had a hard time putting this book down once I got started reading it. A trip to Savannah is in order. "
— Robin, 2/16/2014 -
" I liked this book but it did not stand out to me. It felt like so many other books I've read with similar themes....southern charm, death and a child trying to understand it, strong women characters bonding together, race relations, etc. "
— Rowlak5, 2/13/2014 -
" I am a fan of characters based in the South and this book is full of colorful characters that I find likeable and hilarious. The story is well written out and as a fan of happy endings, this has one. I found myself cheering on CeeCee as she tries to settle into her new life. And she does. I hope I see her again in another book! "
— Jeraldine, 2/11/2014 -
" Another Southern book set in the '60s this time about a young girl taken in by her great aunt after her mentally ill mother dies. Worth a read but could have had a bit more plot. "
— Joanne, 1/23/2014 -
" It was good and sad but I liked it. "
— Terry, 1/20/2014 -
" A very sweet story. A good and easy read. "
— Michelle, 1/19/2014 -
" very fun story. I loved all the different characters in the story. I loved that all but a few were women. I always enjoy novels where the main character is a young girl. I laughed and cried. totally would recommend this book. "
— Angelene, 1/18/2014 -
" Couldn't put it down. Very enjoyable. "
— Allison, 1/13/2014 -
" I loved this book - just read it over our spring break. Someone described it as a cross between "The Help" and "Steel Magnolias" it is about women, friendship, love and sorrow. I couldn't put it down, just loved the way it was written!! "
— Joy, 1/7/2014 -
" Pretty good. Similar to The Help. "
— Karen, 12/16/2013 -
" Sweet middle school novel. "
— Lisa, 11/20/2013 -
" One of three of my favorite books read in 2012 "
— Paulette, 10/27/2013 -
" Maybe 3 1/2 stars. There were parts and quotes from this book that I really loved, but I think it didn't really go anywhere for me. And there are similar books I have previously read that I loved much better. "
— Marchelle, 10/22/2013 -
" I so loved this book. A light, enjoyable read. CeeCee is such a great character. I laughed throughout but also cried. I think this would make a great movie and if the author wanted to, a series could be written. I would definitely love to see what happens to CeeCee. "
— Kathryn, 6/27/2013 -
" A very sweet, humorous book. I loved the detail regarding Savannah, Georgia, and some of the colorful characters described. A very original, sweet story. I you liked "The Help", you will like this book. "
— Tami, 5/23/2013 -
" LOVED this book. Very sweet and fun read. "
— Renee, 2/25/2013 -
" Simply sweet. Upon deeper reflection, I was struck by the difference between those affected with severe, untreated, or ignored mental illness and those crazy women in life simply acting out and being delightful (or not) characters. Cee cee was certainly affected by both. "
— Sheelagh, 8/29/2012 -
" I love everything about this book. I love the different people this girl meets and their stories are laugh and pee your pants funny. While being extremely funny you still cry a lot in the beginning as it starts to show what struggles Cee Cee will soon go through. "
— Paige, 6/19/2012 -
" Sweet book. CeeCee worked through a lot without the story being too over the top. Quick and lovely read. "
— Jen, 3/31/2012 -
" Outstanding!!!! Wonderful read on so many levels! "
— Gloria, 3/24/2012 -
" Loved loved loved this book, I did not want it to end. "
— Deb, 3/23/2012 -
" If you enjoyed The Help and The Secret Life of Bees, you'll enjoy this book too. I couldn't put it down once I started. If you want a good book and a fast read, this is your book. Very heartwarming. "
— Netta, 10/29/2010 -
" Loved it! Smiled while I read. "
— Lisa, 9/5/2010 -
" Don't waste your time reading this book it was bland and disappointing. "
— Heidi, 2/14/2010
About Jenna Lamia
Jenna Lamia is an actress and award-winning audiobook narrator. She has won the prestigious Audie Award, as well as more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards. Her narration of The Book of Polly was named a 2018 Outstanding Audiobook Narration by RUSA. She narrated Mary E. Pearson’s The Adoration of Jenna Fox, which won a YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults award, and Carol Lynch Williams’ The Chosen One, for which she received the 2010 Audie Award for Best Female Solo Narration. She has appeared on and off-Broadway, and her acting credits include appearances on Oz, Law & Order: SVU, and NYPD Blue. She has attended Amherst College, New York University, and the Sorbonne in Paris.