Friday Reads: Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind

My neighbor across the street wanted me to read this book, so she brought her copy over one afternoon.  I'm so glad she did!

Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind

by Ann B. Ross

For: Adults

Genre: Southern Humor (is that a genre?)

Published: 2000

Description: Miss Julia, a recently bereaved and newly wealthy widow, is only slightly bemused when one Hazel Marie Puckett appears at her door with a youngster in tow and unceremoniously announces that the child is the bastard son of Miss Julia's late husband. Suddenly, this longtime church member and pillar of her small Southern community finds herself in the center of an unseemly scandal-and the guardian of a wan nine-year-old whose mere presence turns her life upside down.

With razor-sharp wit and perfect "Steel Magnolia" poise, Miss Julia speaks her mind indeed-about a robbery, a kidnapping, and the other disgraceful events precipitated by her husband's death. Fast-paced and charming, with a sure sense of comic drama, a cast of crazy characters, and a strong Southern cadence, Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind will delight readers from first page to last.

Why I liked it: This was a charming book in every way.  I adored the main character, Miss Julia, and I hoped things would turn out for nine-year-old Little Lloyd.  I also appreciated the twist at the end, but it was the characters I enjoyed the most.  Even Hazel Marie grew on me.