Dorothea Benton Frank is one of America's most insightful writers weaving highly addictive tales of the conundrums of life with hilarity and heat. Now, in The Land of Mango Sunsets, Frank gives us one woman's journey toward a hard-won truth—that life isn't always what it appears to be, and the sooner you realize that pride won't keep you warm at night, the happier you will be.
Meet Miriam Elizabeth Swanson, in a full-blown snit, buoyed by a fabulous cast who run the gamut from insufferable to wonderful. Miriam spins out from the revolving door of her postured life as a Manhattan quasi socialite while she thirsts, no, starves for recognition. How did she become what she hates the most and what does she endure to realize it? And where are the answers? It takes a few spins, dips and one spectacular fall until Miriam gets her head on straight. Then in a whoosh she's off to the enchanted and mysterious land of Sullivans Island, deep in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
Told straight from the heart in her vivid, highly entertaining style, The Land of Mango Sunsets just might be Frank's finest work to date. If you plan to listen to this book, don't make plans to do anything else for a while.
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"Good book, hadn't read her in a while, but this reminded me why I started in the first place. I prefer more of the southern parts in the book, since this took place mostly in New York, but still liked it a lot. Definitely recommend it, great beach read. "
— Melissa (4 out of 5 stars)
“[A] warming female-empowerment tale with a side order of southern magic.”
— Kirkus Reviews“A memorable book.”
— Library Journal" Ok. I liked it but not as well as some of her previous books. Kind of predictable & sappy. "
— Brenda, 2/20/2014" My least favorite of all her books.... "
— Becky, 2/19/2014" Good book, hadn't read her in a while, but this reminded me why I started in the first place. I prefer more of the southern parts in the book, since this took place mostly in New York, but still liked it a lot. Definitely recommend it, great beach read. "
— Melissa, 2/7/2014" This book started off pretty slow and at first the main character seems pretty shallow. I started reading it & couldn't get into it, so put it down and read something else. The second time I stuck with it and it grew on me as did the main character. Definitely not a heavy thought provoking read, but it was gratifying to see Miriam's transformation into Mellie with a much better value base. Good read to escape from the cold, wintery weather into the beaches of Sullivans Island. "
— Mary, 1/30/2014" This was my first book from this author. I was a little nervous to read it... I enjoyed the book very much and read it in a matter of days. The characters are enjoyable and fun. I have purchase several more of her books after reading this one. "
— Kelly, 1/23/2014" Cute and sassy. Her gay friend is so funny and loyal. "
— Susan, 1/20/2014" This was such a funny book and it actually made me ball my eyes out at points. There was a part that described how the main character felt about her mother and I felt exactly the same. It was a great read and I had a hard time putting it down. Great characters! "
— Kelle, 1/1/2014" The sudden change in character and perspective is somewhat unjustified , like all of a sudden she just shed the past and woke up ? still its moderately enjoyable... "
— Nouran, 12/28/2013" Going to start this one today after I get the laundry done :-) "
— Marianne, 12/26/2013" entertaining. end justified the slow beginning. would rec. "
— Dorene, 12/7/2013" I grabbed this book at the airport while on vacation. It was an easy read and served its purpose. "
— Dianne, 12/6/2013" This was a very enjoyable read. I laughed a lot, especially over Chapter 14!!! Filled with crazy characters in difficult and fun situations. Oh, and Charles is a horse's ass!!! "
— Christy, 10/3/2013" Meandered along and couldn't connect with the main character. "
— Sandra, 7/22/2013" This book took me a long time to get into, but once I did I could not put it down. I laughed, I cried and I could relate. "
— Tami, 5/7/2013" I enjoy all of Dorothea Benton Frank's books but this was probably one of my favorite! Just so enjoyable to read. "
— Sue, 5/4/2013" Local interest - author talks about SC Lowcountry. Romance, family, tear-jerker "
— Chrissy, 11/17/2012" I loved this book. However I must give warning that it's a crier (at least I did). "
— Beautiful, 11/7/2012" Disappointed with this one. "
— Ellany, 8/25/2012" Not my favorite of her books, but it wasn't totally predicatable, either. It was a worthwhile read. Still love the low country! "
— Mary, 4/13/2012" I liked this book a lot. I LOVED most of it. It became too sentimental for me. I'm just not a sentimental kind of girl. "
— Patty, 3/8/2012" Another older lady mid-life change story. It started slow but picked up into a pleasing little tale around the halfway point. "
— Carmela, 3/3/2012" An excellent read, but then again Dorothea Benton Frank never disappoints! "
— Amy, 1/10/2012" I enjoyed this book as much as the other two I have read. Great characters good story. "
— Linda, 9/14/2011" I like the book . . . very entertaining but not the four star that i thought it would be. Glad i read it though! "
— Readstoomuch, 8/5/2011" As always, Dorothea Benton Frank does not disappoint. A little corny at times, but I liked it & look forward to more. "
— Cathy, 7/14/2011" Not my favorite of her books. Not terrible though "
— Gretchen, 6/20/2011" wasnt jaw dropping great easy to read, entertaining <br/>liked some of her other books and their humor a bit better "
— Mich, 4/21/2011" Standard fare, sweet, poignant, and few deviations from the standard formula of a book of the type. This would make a light, fun beach read. "
— Deedee, 1/15/2011" Another spectacular tale set in the Lowcountry. Charming writer. "
— Jane, 12/13/2010" I didn't like this one as much as <em>Pawley's Island</em> for some reason. If Goodreads had 1/2 stars, I'd give this 3.5 "
— Catherine, 11/20/2010" I would consider ths book just one of those OK type books. "
— Lorraine, 10/25/2010" Very easy to read, liked i, very light, not a page turner, but good. I would give it 2.5 stars. <br/>Liked the southern (Charleston area) references as I spent time there as a child. "
— Joanne, 10/18/2010" great read this summer! Fun, easy and uplifting. "
— Kirstin, 8/26/2010" I loved Kevin, Harry the bird and the line to Charles..."Well, what do dial tones do for you?" And I closed my phone" "
— Chris, 8/17/2010Dorothea Benton Frank (1951–2019) was the New York Times bestselling author of Bulls Island, The Christmas Pearl, The Land of Mango Sunsets, and many other books. She appeared on the Today show and Parker Ladd’s Book Talk. She was a frequent speaker on creative writing and the creative process for students of all ages and in private venues, such as the National Arts Club, the Junior League of New York, Friends of the Library, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
MacLeod Andrews is an actor, voice actor, and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator who earned the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2018. He has starred in a number of independent short and feature films and is a member of the Rising Phoenix Repertory Company in New York City.