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Family Linen
Family Linen
Author: Lee Smith
"Brilliant, haunting, dark, joyous, remarkably compelling...immensely difficult to put down...a master storyteller." — THE VILLAGE VOICE — A childhood memory re-experienced, a funeral that brings about a family reunion, and the excavation of a swimming pool on the site of an old well, uncover family secrets and air the dirty linen in this behind-t...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780399130809
ISBN-10: 0399130802
Publication Date: 9/13/1985
Pages: 272
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 8

3.7 stars, based on 8 ratings
Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Family Linen on + 300 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Dirty family linen can be discovered in many ways. In this book it involves a memory relived through hypnosis, a funeral that brings a family together and the evacuation of a swimming pool on the site of an old well.

Loved this quote from The Chattanooga Times: "It can make you laugh, and it can make you cry. At times if can make you uneasy with the truth. No reader can ask for more than that."

Good, interesting book that keeps you involved until the very last page.
Read All 13 Book Reviews of "Family Linen"

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reviewed Family Linen on + 628 more book reviews
A childhood memory relived through hypnosis, the death of a mother, long held family secrets told by each of the main characters themselves and how they saw it. Well written southern gothic, with pathos and humor and the airing of dirty linen. Good character development, tho it was confusing at times as it jumped from character to character, sometimes without any preamble. It will definitely hold your interest up to the end.
reviewed Family Linen on + 347 more book reviews
I found it confusing to keep track of how each character was related to the others.
reviewed Family Linen on + 19 more book reviews
Lee Smith writes of the Applachian Mountains and small southern towns and their people. This book is about a disfunctional family who is thrown back together after their mother dies, although the story begins earlier. It has murder, adultry, weak minded family members and all things entertaining. A funny book at times and sad at others. I did enjoy the book as I have all of Lee Smiths books.
reviewed Family Linen on + 2 more book reviews
For anyone who has not encountered the work of Lee Smith in their reading, she is worth a read. I started with Oral Histry and loved it, and moved on to this book. Lee Smith is a Southern storyteller in the style of Flannery O'Conner or Carson McCullers.
reviewed Family Linen on + 139 more book reviews
Well-written family saga.
reviewed Family Linen on + 28 more book reviews
This book was entertaining and somewhat suspenseful. The artist shows true mastery in the way she defines each character's unique point of view and particular observations as the family members share a common experience.
toni avatar reviewed Family Linen on + 351 more book reviews
Very good - Lee Smith is so good at telling stories about families.


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