“While I’ve seen others compare Whistling Past the Graveyard to The Help, I think it would be closer to The Secret Life of Bees. Bottom line for me? I loved it. Normally I’ve only reviewed young adult books, but I enjoyed this book so much I felt compelled to review it. The cover and title were the first things to draw me in and the story made me fall in love. It looked like it would be a fun lighthearted read.
It has been a long time since I read an adult novel that I loved as much as this one.
Whistling Past the Graveyard turns out to be far from lighthearted. Starla is put through quite the ringer as a nine year old. Her mother left when she was only three years old, and her father is off for work, leaving her with her awful grandmother. Starla’s punishments get increasingly worse for smaller infractions, leading her to finally decide to runaway from her. Her adventurous decision nosedives quick when she meets Eula. This book becomes a coming of age story not only for Starla, but also Eula.
It’s hard not to get swept up on Starla and Eula’s worldwind adventure. Susan’s writing is amazing and does a fantastic job of setting the time period of the 60′s in the South. It’s amazing that on one page I could be laughing, and the next, tearing up. Starla is such a wonderful character to read and it was eyeopening to read of her experiences. And Eula? I feel that Eula is easily the star of this story. I can’t ignore the fact that this does have “white savior” tones to it.
Aside from Starla and Eula, Susan’s writing is the star of this show. It has been a long time since I read an adult novel that I loved as much as this one. From the cover, to the title, to the story I was swept up and in love.”