is residing on my bookshelf at our lake house. Jetta Carleton (d. 1999) must have been a one book wonder (Simon & Schuster, 1962). This novel may be the best you'll ever read with a midwest setting (Missouri). I read it in the early 80s when it was reissued in paperback, after its best seller status in 1962. My copy is a hardcover Book Club edition with a nice cover that I picked up at a booksale for $1.00. The paperback copy I started with disappeared on one of its many loans to friends."Jetta Carleton's autobiographical novel captures the mood and times of midwestern rural life and brings it to life. From the idyllic, heartwarming beginnings springs dark and hidden truths; truths only the reader will see and know. The gentle revelations of the secrets, fears and heartaches that drive these wonderful and endearing characters is storytelling at its best. THE MOONFLOWER VINE received the International Book Award in 1963 and became a Readers Digest Condensed Book and Literary Guild selection. Author Jetta Carleton (1913-1999) only published one novel, putting her in a club with other unique woman writers like Harper Lee and Margaret Mitchell. You might be wondering why anyone would bother to review an out of print book but it is for that reason it was chosen. Don't let the opportunity to read an endangered book slip away." from a review by Barbara Fielding.
Later in life, Jetta Carleton and her husband developed a private press, The Lightning Tree.
2 comments:
Hi, Norma. I bought this book when I was about 17 although I never finished it. I had just read To Kill A Mockingbird, and this book sounded similar. I'm going to try & find it again. Thanks for the reminder.
Hello. My name is Chasity, 23. I read this book about two years ago and completely slipped away into the past. It's beautifully written, and I would read it again. I don't say that about many books. I loved all of the twists and unlikely, but yet kind of likely happenings. I loved this book!
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