Book Review: The Sweetest Thing

The Sweetest Thing by Elizabeth Musser
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0831-7
Paperback, 400 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Retail: $14.99

Beautiful, beautiful book. Set in the Great Depression this is the life of two girls, Perri and Dobbs, from two different worlds. One is what I would call spoiled and rich, the other is the daughter of a revival preacher that lives on what God provides.

Set mostly in Atlanta, GA, with a few scenes in Chicago, IL, the author has done quite well with giving details about the time period: the fashions, the ideals, the hopes and dreams, as well as the desperation. To give just a quick (and I mean quick) run down of the book:

Dobbs is sent to live with her well-to-do aunt in Atlanta, leaving Chicago and a rather poor life. Perri is the neighbor of Dobbs’ aunt and they are thrown in together quite quickly. Right away, Dobbs can tell she does not fit in with Atlanta society. She has different morals, values and beliefs. Tragedy happens at the very beginning of this book and it brings Dobbs and Perri closer than they may have thought they would be. The book is about the hardships that both girls and the families endure and finally how God takes care of them.

I found it to be a quite enjoyable book. The characters felt like real people. There wasn’t ‘swooning’ and what I call ‘unreal’ behaviors. I love history and I think that in this book Musser has done quite well, although it is definitely fiction, with keeping true to the era (from what I know of the time period). Very good book and I am passing it off to my dd, 14 to read.

There are a few scenes where you know that inappropriate behavior is taking place but it is not spelled out. Also, there is a scene of drinking and violence towards a woman.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.