What do readers think of Folly Beach by Dorothea Benton Frank? Write your own review.

Living in the landlocked state of Wyoming I love to read about the East Coast! "Folly Beach" is my first read by author Dorothea Benton Frank. I am very excited to find another author who writes so descriptively about coastal living. She painted very vivid pictures of the environment while keeping the pace of the story line moving along, no dragging. This was a great summer read for me and I am already searching out more novels by the author!

Folly Beach is a good summer read. This was my first experience with this author, and would certainly give another book by Ms. Benton a try. Cate becomes a widow and faces a plethora of challenges at the very beginning of the story, way more than is believable. However, these are what leads her to Folly Beach to stay in the Porgy House now owned by her eccentric aunt, who is, in my opinion, the most believable character in the book. Cate begins to reevaluate her life, and at the same time, is haunted by the former residents of the house, the Heywards who were intimates of George Gershwin and responsible for Porgy and Bess. Cate's story and that of the Heywards are presented in alternating chapters. As a reader, I was somewhat distracted by the "play" format which introduced each Heyward chapter, and thought it wasn't needed. All in all, tuck it into your beach bag and kick back on Folly Beach.

Folly Beach is one of several books written by this author that takes place near Charleston, South Carolina.  I love this part of the country, and therefore I do enjoy her descriptions of the beach, the sounds, smells, houses, food, and people.  Some of the characters are quirky, a bit eccentric, and endearing.
 The book includes the script of a play, which I was a little skeptical about when I started reading.  As I read, I realized how much it added to the storyline and characters. The author also included, and used, historical information about well known people living in the nineteen twenties and thirties.  Historical fiction lovers will enjoy this addition to the plot.
Folly Beach was an easy read.  This book is written for women, and will be the perfect book to read on vacation because it is light, keeps your interest, and takes you away to another place and time.  Take it to the beach!

Having just returned from a visit to my son's near Charleston, South Carolina, I was taken with Dorothea Benton Frank's intimate knowledge of the area, hinted at as she lead us to the Gullah culture, sweetgrass baskets, and local institutions. Frank braids two differing story lines--which at first seem disconnected--into a tale of a woman's success after what appears to be utter domestic devastation. The author's imagination offers some story portions that are a bit too convenient, but "Folly Beach" is an easy summer read with historic interest for those who enjoy theater, and those who love a good romance.

While I never have read anything by this author, I did like the book. I enjoyed the going back and forth in the story,but I felt I was reading about today's happenings to people: Losing their homes,money and etc. The best part of the book was the historical history about Charleston Renaissance of the early twenties. I would recommend this book to my friends.

I read this over a long weekend while sitting on the beach at Tybee Island, GA so it was a literal "beach book". Enjoyed the low country setting. Found the relationship between Cate and John to be a little too rushed to completely draw me in and make me a believer.
Would recommend to others looking to learn more about the low country.

"'S wonderful ! 'S marvelous !
(That) You should care for me !
'S awful nice ! 'S paradise !
'S what I love to see!"

The juxtaposition of story lines, the beach air, the sun and the sand, all added to this very delightful summer read. Slightly predictable, but who cares? It's Folly Beach !

Initially I found the back & forth between the current story and the play confusing. It caused the reading to be a chore at the beginning. The current story was well written and interesting, it made me want to go to Folly Beach. The character development & interaction was great. At the end I went back and read the beginning and the light bulb came on.