Title: Bulls Island
Author: Dorothea Benton Frank
First published January 1, 2008
334 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780061438431 (ISBN10: 006143843X)
Rating: 3.93
Overview
After leaving behind her beloved Bulls Island due to a heartbreaking past, successful lawyer Caroline is forced to return to her hometown to handle her late mother’s affairs. As she navigates through the complications of family dynamics and old flames, Caroline also faces the challenge of preserving the island’s natural beauty from developers.
“Bulls Island” is a heartwarming story of redemption, family, and the power of love, filled with the signature charm and humor of bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank.
About the Author
Dorothea Benton Frank was an accomplished American novelist who specialized in Southern fiction and made it to the New York Times best-seller list. During her earlier years, she toiled in the apparel industry from 1972 until 1985.
After that, she dedicated her time to fundraising as a volunteer before finally taking up writing as her career.
Dorothea’s literary works are particularly famous for her twenty novels that revolve around the Lowcountry of South Carolina. Her ability to paint vivid and descriptive images of this region made her a beloved author among readers.
Editoral Review
“Bulls Island” by Dorothea Benton Frank takes readers on a journey to South Carolina’s Lowcountry, blending humor, romance, and heartbreak with equal measures of grace and grit. This book, published on January 1, 2008, is an extraordinary work of contemporary Southern fiction that explores themes of family, love, ambition, regret, and redemption.
Frank is a New York Times bestselling author known for her love of coastal Carolinas, where she grew up. Her writing style is conversational, witty, and evocative, laced with humor and genuine insight into human nature.
In “Bulls Island,” she shines a light on the complex relationships between the generations of the Peck family, whose history is intertwined with the land they call home. The novel is rich in character and regional charm, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and scents of the marshes, beaches, and quaint towns along the Carolina coast.
The plot revolves around two siblings, Lovie and Brother, who return to their ancestral home on Bulls Island to sort out the mess left behind by their recently deceased father. Lovie, now in her sixties, is a widow and former beauty queen, struggling with loneliness, regrets, and long-buried secrets.
Brother, a successful businessman, is married to a high-maintenance wife, Charlotte, and has little tolerance for his sister’s sentimental attachment to the island. As they work together to organize their father’s estate, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including Lovie’s childhood sweetheart, Jack, and her granddaughter who is also dealing with her own set of issues.
Along the way, they confront painful memories, new challenges, and unexpected revelations that test their bonds and force them to reassess their priorities. Frank’s writing is filled with vivid descriptions, witty dialogue, and clever metaphors that bring her characters and settings to life.
She captures the essence of Southern hospitality, pairing sweet tea and comfort food with fierce loyalty and unspoken resentments. Her ability to convey small but significant details, such as a character’s body language or the sound of the ocean, creates an immersive reading experience that draws in the reader.
The novel’s strengths lie in its poignant portrayal of family dynamics, particularly the tension between siblings and the choices we make in life that affect our loved ones. Frank’s exploration of how secrets and lies can erode relationships over time is compelling and authentic, and her characters’ journeys are both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Furthermore, the book is thematically significant, highlighting the importance of preserving family traditions, forgiving past mistakes, and finding joy in simple pleasures. However, the pacing of the novel may be slow at times, and some of the subplots feel underdeveloped.
At points, the character’s personalities and motivations may be a bit too predictable, and the book may lack substantial tension to keep some readers engaged. Overall, “Bulls Island” is a wonderful read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, character-driven story that showcases the beauty and complexity of Southern culture.
It is a literary gem that will appeal to both longtime fans of Frank’s work and new readers looking for a memorable escape. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates great storytelling and a refreshingly authentic portrayal of family life.
I score “Bulls Island” 4 out of 5 stars.
