A Southeastern Booksellers Association Best-seller, Mindy Friddle's The Garden Angel has been praised for its comic grace. Cutter is determind to sabotage the sale of her family's dilapidated ancestral home. Her sister Ginny (in the midst of an affair with a professor) doesn't seem to care either way. When the professor's reclusive wife gathers up the courage to leave her own home and confront the Other Woman, she instead meets Cutter, and the two begin a quirky, comforting relationship.
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"The Garden Angel caught my attention after reading another book by Mindy Friddle, The Secret Keepers. I was not at all disappointed by her writing in her earlier work. The Garden Angel tells a story that most of us can relate to, the need to feel "rooted". It intertwines the role of siblings, spouses, neighbors, and friends around the tale of a town just struggling to survive like its inhabitants. It was a pleasant read that gave you just the right amount of "lift"." — Cindy (4 out of 5 stars)
"The Garden Angel caught my attention after reading another book by Mindy Friddle, The Secret Keepers. I was not at all disappointed by her writing in her earlier work. The Garden Angel tells a story that most of us can relate to, the need to feel "rooted". It intertwines the role of siblings, spouses, neighbors, and friends around the tale of a town just struggling to survive like its inhabitants. It was a pleasant read that gave you just the right amount of "lift"."
“With casual skill, Friddle makes the case that who we like in life may be as critical as who we love.“
" 3.5 stars. Love the setting and characters. "
" This is what I've found for SC themed book for book club. :) It was cute. A quick fluffy chick lit read, and I probably don't space myself with enough of those. Cutter is the main character, deeply attached to the old family home. Her brother and sister want to sell. Meanwhile Cutter has somehow become friends with the agoraphobic wife of her sister's illicit lover, and...... well, it's an odd but interesting story. Not bad for a first book. "
" The Garden Angel touched me not only by the characters in the book but how my life has been similar to all the emotions I found between its []pages. A humorous look at how we handle the things life throws at us and even though we feel beaten we find a strength in us that we were not aware existed. "
" Super-interesting relationships in this book. We meet a woman (our heroine) and her sister first, then her sister's lover followed quickly by sister's lover's wife, who becomes friends with our heroine, and a ton of other delightful peripheral characters. It's a great story about family and friendship and HOME, and what is worth fighting for. It wasn't earth-shattering, but I did enjoy it a lot and felt strong and convicted as a Southern woman while reading it. "
" This is a "guilty pleasure" novel for me. A fast read that takes place in the south. Well written for a debut, many emotions involved. It was perfect for that little get away. "
" Quick read. The ending was too far fetched trying to tie up ends in a fairy tale way. "
" I did not enjoy this book at all. The relationship between Cutter and Wife (Elizabeth) is unrealistic. No excitement.....very boring. "
" Slow and strange "
" Liked this book more than I thought I would. Really appreciated that characters weren't written so black and white. "
" I loved this book. I'm a sucker for a well thought-out book that delves into complex, unusual relationships in a unique writing style. I want to read it again already! "
" Not too deep, not too long, not too complicated, a tidy ending - a decent summer read. Sisters, affairs, old houses, gardens, pretty easy stuff to keep you turning pages. "
" Cutter begins a chaotic friendship with her sister's lover's wife. This leads to complications when her sister becomes pregnant as Cutter is trying to save her family home. "
" I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it. "
" Quirky little book. Pretty good, fast read. Entertaining enough. "
" I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well constructed, and I particularly liked Elizabeth, who suffers from intense anxiety. After moving along at a comfortable pace, the book did seem to run quickly through the ending, but was saved by the epilogue. I would read this book again. "
" Her writing is very good and kin of quirky. Excellent characterization, good story, and it kind of makes you wonder about life, in general. "
" A first novel that was for the most part well written, it was an engaging, sad and funny southern tale with memorable characters. My only complaint is that Friddle was a bit heavy-handed with the adjectives. A willow wept profoundly over a grave? "
" Decemebers bookclub "
" The tough heroine with a heart of gold struggles against long odds to save her family home, touching hearts along the way. The character of Elizabeth, the "shy and fragile academic" is particularly well written. "
" Pretty fun, and I do love these "southern" novels. Reminds me of my grandparent's house, though their angels weren't visible! "
" Preferred the Cutter chapters at first over the Elizabeth ones but by the end it all came together. In fact I LOVED the ending. All in all a good read! "
" Amy's pick "
" Found this as a donation in the library. Reminded me of Ann Tyler. Interesting slightly damaged people. Lovely read. "
" Wonderful first book by SC upstate author Mindy Friddle. Terrific story, with finely drawn characters. Greenville natives will recognize many of the neighborhoods and places. "
" This book went beyond my expectations. Looking forward to reading her next one. "
Mindy Friddle is author of The Garden Angel and Secret Keepers. She writes, reads, gardens, and works in Greenville, South Carolina, where she lives with her family.
Julia Gibson received an MFA from New York University. She has appeared on Broadway and other major stages in New York, as well as regional theaters from Dallas to San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, and more. Gibson has played major roles in productions such as The Seagull, Angels in America, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Her television and film credits include Michael Clayton, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Spin City, and One Life to Live.
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