Bonus Content
A Conversation with Beth Hoffman 1. In another writer’s hands, the depiction of Camille’s mental illness might come across as humorous or even callous. But you portray her illness with respect. How did you keep that balance? Was that aspect of the book difficult to write? As ill as Camille was, I saw her as a woman who still possessed threads of a likable personality. Beneath her wild escapades and psychotic interludes was a young woman with a wounded soul. Honoring Camille’s fragile humanness allowed me to write about her with empathy and respect. Was Camille a difficult character to write about? Surprisingly, no. From the moment she first entered my imagination, there was an undeniable humor in her pain, and conversely, there was heartbreaking sadness in her fleeting moments of joy. I took those diametrically opposed elements to the edge by creating the sense of bittersweet release in Camille’s death. 2. Do you, like CeeCee, have an appetite for reading? What are some of your favorite books and authors? Are there books you read again and again? Yes, words are to me what a steak is to a hungry dog. I cannot go to sleep at night without reading for at least an hour. My taste is eclectic, but I’m most drawn to character-driven fiction. I have too many favorite authors to list, but a few of them are Pat Conroy, Carol Shields, Kim Edwards, Bailey White, Arturo PŽrez-Reverte, and Amy Tan. The books I’ve read more than once are: The Prince of Tides, Mama Makes Up Her Mind, Roxanna Slade, Cider with Rosie, Illusions, and The Hundred Secret Senses. I suspect I’ll read The Help by Kathryn Stockett again too. 3. As we get to Savannah, the setting of your book springs to vivid life. Why did you choose to set your book in the South? Why did you choose to set it in the late 1960s? The characters actually chose the era of my story. They lived in a time when life was simplerÑthere were no computers or cell phones and certainly no reality TV shows! Not only did I want my book to have believably eccentric characters, but I wanted it to have multicultural characters, too. And where other than the American South could a little northern girl so profoundly connect with an African American housekeeper? My admiration for Southern architecture and gardens combined with my background in interior design made the setting of Savannah a natural choice. Most important, without the beauty and graciousness of Aunt Tootie’s world, CeeCee’s story could have run the risk of becoming somber. It’s the contrast of light to dark, joy to sorrow, and humor to sadness that gives the story its balance.
Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt
Not long after that day, Momma began walking to the Goodwill store. She’d buy all sorts of old prom dresses and formal gowns, and if she happened to find any dyed-to-match shoes, well, she’d buy those too, even if they were three sizes too big.
One afternoon I was lying on my bed, reading Stuart Little, when I heard Momma’s footsteps on the stairs accompanied by the rustle of paper bagsÑalways a surefire announcement that she had struck gold during her Goodwill shopping spree. I heard her laugh, giddy with anticipation, as she tried on the newest addition to her wardrobe.
Within a few minutes she called to me, “Cecelia Rose, come in here, darlin’, and see what I found.”
I pressed my nose farther into the book and pretended not to hear, but Momma called again, and when I didn’t answer, I heard the sharp clickety-click of her high-heeled shoes coming down the hall.
She threw open my bedroom door and exclaimed, “Will you just look at your momma! Isn’t she something?”
She stood in the doorway, eyes glazed wide from her Goodwill shopping hangover. Then she gathered up the skirt of a raggedy old prom dress she’d just bought for a dollar and twirled into my room like a colorful, out-of-control top.
“Oh, how I adore this shade of pink. It suits me,” she said, stopping to admire her reflection in the mirror on my closet door. I don’t know what Momma saw in that mirror that delighted her so much, but it sure wasn’t what I saw.
She put her hands on her hips, looked over her shoulder, and waited for me to tell her how beautiful she looked. It was all I could do to reach deep inside myself and push out the words she so desperately wanted to hear. “You look nice, Momma,” I mumbled,
embarrassed enough for both of us, then I lowered my eyes and went back to reading my book.
“Don’t be sad, CeeCee. One day you’ll win a beauty pageant, and then you can wear all these beautiful gowns too. I’m saving them for you, darlin’. I promise I am.” She grinned and sashayed out of my room.
Grateful that she’d finally left, I scooted off the bed and closed the door behind her. Momma started wearing those tattered old prom dresses several days a week. The more she wore them, the more of a spectacle she became in our town. Even the nicest of our neighbors couldn’t stop themselves from standing in their front yards bug-eyed and slackjawed whenever she’d parade down the sidewalk in a rustle of taffeta. And who could blame them? With a neighbor like Momma, who needed TV?
Reprinted by arrangement with Viking, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., from Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman.
Copyright © 2010 by Beth Hoffman
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
Though she’s only 12, CeeCee is old beyond her years. She has to be—she’s spent her life caring for a loony mother who keeps reliving her glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen, tiara and all. But that doesn’t quite prepare CeeCee for the shock when a tragic accident leaves her suddenly, and utterly, alone.
To the rescue comes long-lost great aunt Tootie Caldwell. Sweeping in to take care of the young girl, she whisks CeeCee off to Savannah, introducing her to a zany cast of Southern belles—like the garden-slug-wielding Miz Thelma Rae and the see-through-peignoir-wearing Violene Hobbs—who would influence her life in profound and unexpected ways. Wise, feisty and unapologetically independent, this eccentric community of women welcomes CeeCee into their ranks, united in their mission to help her rediscover love, laughter and the joy of life.
Bursting with wacky humor and down-home heart, Beth Hoffman’s Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is a spirited Southern tale about a remarkable young girl who loses her mother but finds many others. A debut of uncommon grace that beautifully illuminates the power of female friendships, it will have you laughing out loud…and leave a satisfying lump in your throat.
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Viking Penguin ( January 12, 2010 )
Item #: 68-5590
ISBN: 9780670021390
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.72 inches
Product Weight: 14.0 ounces
pretty good
August 12, 2010
I wasn't as captivated by this book as the other reviews I have read. I loved it at the beginning but near the end it became a bit unbelieveable and I became anxious to finish.
Reviewer: Karen P
A wonderful surprise
August 03, 2010
A wonderful surprise, August 3, 2010
By J. Marcus (Woodbridge, Va) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt: A Novel (Hardcover)
I bought this book because it looked like a lightweight, easy read, a book I could put down whenever I wanted and then pick up when I had time. I started reading it and could not put it down. My fascination with this book may have come about because I as I read it there were echoes of my early life with an emotionally disturbed mom. I was not as lucky as CeeCee: I had no relatives to rescue me. However, I loved the fact that she was rescued and set on a healing journey, surrounded by wonderful and wacky women. This book was a joy to read, with some really good laughs along the way, especially the saga of the traveling bra. Do read it and I hope you find it as captivating as I did.
Reviewer: Jodi M
Loved this book!!!
July 29, 2010
This was a great read and I agree, I did not want this book to end. It was a lot of fun and the characters are fantastic and it was easy to visualize them. I hope there will be more adventures with Cee Cee and her friends. Great book :)
Reviewer: Rv
LOVE THIS BOOK!!
July 16, 2010
I loved this book!!! Its an amazing read. I didn't want it to end...This one I am keeping so I can read it again and again!! It would make a great movie!!
Reviewer: Jeani
Don't miss this one
July 16, 2010
One of the best books I've read this year. I didn't want it to end. I loaned it to a friend so she could read it. It is a keeper and I'm sure I will read it again sometime in the future.
Reviewer: Lori
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