*Cold Sassy Tree* by Olive Ann Burns is a charming, coming-of-age novel set in a small Southern town in 1906, where gossip flows as quickly as sweet tea. The story is narrated by 14-year-old Will Tweedy, who finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of scandal and social change when his grandfather, the outspoken and rebellious E.R. Blakeslee, announces that he plans to marry Miss Love Simpson—a young, freckled milliner—just three weeks after the death of his wife, Granny Blakeslee.
The news sends shockwaves through Cold Sassy, and Will, though initially shocked and a bit jealous of his grandfather’s audacious decision, becomes closely involved in the romance, acting as both chaperone and confidant to the new couple. His grandfather’s second marriage to a much younger woman sparks gossip, controversy, and judgment in the tight-knit community, and Will, as an eyewitness, is fascinated by the dynamics of love, rebellion, and family secrets.
Amid this scandal, Will embarks on his own journey of growing up, marked by adventures that include surviving being run over by a train, experiencing his first kiss, and confronting the complexities of life and death. As he navigates the challenges of adolescence, he also learns about the intricacies of human relationships, the contradictions of his small-town world, and the depth of love and loyalty within his family.
Richly populated with memorable characters—from the wise and whimsical to the pious and irreverent—*Cold Sassy Tree* captures the humor, warmth, and contradictions of Southern life at the turn of the century. Through Will’s eyes, Burns crafts a novel full of wit, heart, and insight, exploring the turbulent transition from childhood to adolescence and the resilience of family and community. The novel is both a poignant coming-of-age story and a delightful portrait of a small town in all its eccentricity and charm.
