Book Review: The Myth of Perpetual Summer, by Susan Crandall

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

Shortly after Ross, Gran, and I arrived at his house, Amelia called. All she would say was that she’d gotten us approved for a visit today and to come right away. The tall, blue-eyed blonde greets us in the lobby of the Orleans Parrish jail. The family resemblance between her and Ross is significant. She’s wearing a black skirt suit and pearls. She looks way too Southern-girl sweet to be the barracuda Ross claims.

After Ross introduces us, she gets right to the point. “We have a serious problem. Walden has refused counsel – mine or anyone else’s. I’m afraid he’ll put up no defense at all.”

“What does that mean?” Gran asks. 

“Unless he changes his mind, I can’t do anything to help him. Hopefully, you two will be able to get him to see reason.”

“Why doesn’t he want to put up a defense?” I ask as we all head toward the door that’ll lead us to my little brother.

“He’s very detached. He’s refusing to participate in a court that has no authority over him or his brothers.”

“Isn’t sitting in jail enough proof that the courts do have authority over them?” I ask.

Tallulah is an amazingly strong character—both as a child and as an adult.

Official synopsis:

Tallulah James’s parents’ volatile relationship, erratic behavior, and hands-off approach to child rearing set tongues to wagging in their staid Mississippi town, complicating her already uncertain life. She takes the responsibility of shielding her family’s reputation and raising her younger twin siblings onto her youthful shoulders.

If not for the emotional constants of her older brother, Griff, and her old guard Southern grandmother, she would be lost. When betrayal and death arrive hand in hand, she takes to the road, headed to what turns out to be the not-so-promised land of Southern California. The dysfunction of her childhood still echoes throughout her scattered family, sending her brother on a disastrous path and drawing her home again. There she uncovers the secrets and lies that set her family on the road to destruction.

Tallulah as a young child never even knew how hard she had it, because she didn’t know any different. She knew that the townspeople didn’t like her family, but she never really got why. Her grandmother’s instructions were always to be a proper lady and ignore the gossip, so she did her best. When it all finally drove her away, she found herself in California with few friends, which seemed like a great life since she hadn’t had anyone but her brother when they were growing up back in MIssissippi.

Years later, Tallulah feels forced to return to Mississippi in the midst of another family crisis. She had never planned to return, but taking care of her siblings was a hard habit to break. Was Mississippi not just the evil she remembered? As she returns with an adult viewpoint, Tallulah may finally remember some of the good.

Overall, this was a beautiful literary fiction story set in the 1960's and 1970's. Tallulah’s view on racism and war protests added historical insight that undoubtedly had influence on her character’s experiences. The book earned 5 out of 5 stars and would be an enjoyable read for those who enjoy family dramas from this period of time.

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Becki Bayley is an investigator and legal writer in her professional life. She enjoys unwinding with her kids or some quiet time with a good book. Check out her other reviews on her blog, SweetlyBSquared.com.