Pigeon gave a crisp coo from the garden, as if to say this move hadn’t been Pigeon’s idea, so Zoey was on her own. I don't always know what to think of stories that deal with magical realism but this one is a winner for me. The Dellawisps are the tiny turquoise birds that the five unit, well hidden, apartment building in Mallow Island, South Carolina, is named after. This birds inhabit the courtyard garden of the apartment complex, and they can be found around and on the apartment manager, Frasier, too. These little birds seem to have a lot to say, strong opinions about everything, and are every bit as scary, for some folks, as they are tiny. Pigeon flew in, bringing with her a wave of perfume from the strange blossoms on the trees. Questions. Yes, Zoey had questions. Tons of them. But the only one she could think to ask was “What are those trees in the garden?” Marshall, Alli. "Book Report: The Girl Who Chased the Moon". Mountain Express . Retrieved 3 November 2013. The magical realism and surrealism matched with angsty dramatic stories of the people who find themselves at the Dellawisp sits- a stunning cobblestone building shaped like horseshoe : a place located in Mallow Island/ South Carolina.

There is some darkness. There’s nothing very graphic but child abuse, neglect, and abandonment definitely make an appearance. So do drug abuse and untreated mental illness. I don’t think any of this is described to a degree that would bother most people but particularly sensitive readers should be aware.Charlotte became the standout character for me by the end of the book. I felt like everyone grew through the story, but Charlotte had the most to let go of and the most to gain if she found the strength to stop running. Her story didn’t solidify until the very end, which surprised me because I didn’t see that little twist coming, but it was a fitting addition to what made her Charlotte.

Soon after Zoey’s arrival, one of the residents, Lizbeth, is found dead. Her estranged sister Lucy lives in the same building, along with a chef named Mac (who is always covered in corn meal), and Charlotte, a henna artist. Frasier asks Zoey to clean out Lizbeth’s condo (Lizbeth had a serious hoarding problem). In Chapter 9, Zoey discovers four highlighted passages in Lizbeth’s copy of “Sweet Mallow.” Discuss which of these lines resonates with you the most and why. Share your interpretations and personal connections to these passages. Zoey’s neighbors in The Dellawisp are a unique and eccentric group who become her chosen family. Which character in the book do you relate to the most, and is that character also your favorite? Share your reasons for your choice. Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart. Zoey has been summoned to the enchanted and unique Mallow Island, just outside of Charleston, after her mother's passing to clean out her things and claim her apartment. When she arrives at the Dellawisp condo, home to the tiny turquoise birds that give it its name, she meets an interesting group of neighbors, from a grieving chef to a sister who loses her sister unexpectedly right when Zoey first settles in, as well as a caretaker named Frasier.Disclaimer: the following discussion questions contain spoilers, so proceed with caution if you haven’t finished the book yet. WADDELL, EALISH (2008-06-11). "The Sugar Queen (review)". Florida Weekly . Retrieved 3 November 2013.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo. The book’s cover and title are often the first things that draw readers in. How well do you think the cover and title represent the essence of the story? Did they align with your expectations for the book? Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results. Zoey nodded, wondering which of the landing units was hers. There appeared to be only five condos—two landing units each on either side of the U-bend, and one second-story unit perched above Frasier’s office in the bend itself. A twisting metal staircase led to its balcony like a long curl of hair. As Allen introduces readers to each of the main characters, alternating perspectives throughout, it becomes clear that each of The Dellawisp’s inhabitants --- ghostly and mortal --- is haunted by a story untold. For Zoey, it is the truth about Paloma and her plans for Zoey. Charlotte, a seemingly unflappable creative who is always on the run, is haunted by a violent, controlling past and the best friend she left behind. Mac’s ghost takes on a more active role: Camille was the mother Mac never had, and though she is beyond proud of all he has achieved, he is not ready to let her go, keeping her tethered to him and The Dellawisp.Charlotte’s journey involves escaping a troubled past and reinventing herself. How did her character evolve throughout the story, and how did her experiences impact the other characters in the Dellawisp? Did you predict the twist related to Charlotte’s character? How did you perceive the balance between the magical elements and the emotional depth of the story? Did the magical elements enhance or detract from the themes of loss, healing, and friendship? Some readers found certain aspects of the story, such as Zoey’s character development or the pacing of the ending, to be areas of interest. Share your thoughts on these aspects and whether you agree or disagree with their assessments.

Stories aren’t fiction. Stories are fabric. They’re the white sheets we drape over our ghosts so we can see them. Sarah Addison Allen has been one of my favourite authors from the day i read her first book. I was so excited to know that the author had a new book coming out. And this book did not disappoint! The book explores the theme of found family, where characters come together to form deep connections and support one another. Discuss how the concept of found family is depicted in the novel. Are there specific moments or relationships that highlight the importance of this theme? There’s a whimsical charm to this story, without being twee, set against what seems like an almost sinister aura, a darker, unveiled story. Pigeon circled the room restlessly. She moved the fragrance around like a ceiling fan. “The blooms have a very strong scent.”With a dash of her signature magic, Allen dishes up a touching story that hits the sweet spot between heartache and healing. An ode to family, the ones we create when the ones we’re born into are gone, or fail us, and the power of memories. This is spectacular book warmed my heart! Definitely soul healing, emotional, powerful and another must read I highly recommend!