A Town Divided: A Family-Divided

The small town of Wesleyan, Georgia is bitterly divided over whether to remove the statue of a Confederate general. Marietta, whose husband Harry has recently died, is on one side; her brother, a well-known trial attorney is on on the other. When an ice store paralyzes the town during Harry’s funeral, people are thrown together for shelter. Marietta finds herself marooned with three others all coming to grips with their feelings.

The ice storm precipitates a crisis when the town emerges from the ice storm to find the statue gone. Things rapidly swing out of control as feelings run high about the vandalism. Some people support the action, others are ready to fight, including Marietta’s broth, Macon.

Although the statue of a Confederate general is at the center of the controversy, this is not a book about racial problems. It is the story of people coming to terms with their inner demons and growing because of it. In the beginning of the book, I didn’t like Marietta. She seemed rigid and had turned away from friends because her ideas differed from theirs. This included her brother and her former best friend, Butter. As the story progressed, I liked her better because she tried to see others point of view. She didn’t want to lose her friends and family.

The book is beautifully written. The setting and life of a small southern town is brought to life. It‘s a delight to read about the setting and the characters. I also liked the fact that the story was told from multiple points of view. It showed that everyone has their own problems and can grow.

I received this book from Penguin Random House for this review.

‘Once in a while the odd thing happens,
Once in a while the dream comes true,
And the whole pattern of life is altered,
Once in a while, the moon turns blue.’

The tiny Georgia hamlet of Wesleyan is preparing to bury one of its own, and Mother Nature is preparing to cover the entire town in ice. But nobody—well, almost nobody—knows that a source of local tension is about to go nuclear, as someone is planning to topple and destroy the statue of a Confederate general in the park inside the boundaries of Old Man Griffin’s land. “The fight was just getting going good, and now somebody’s declawed the cat.”

This riveting, curiously charming and sometimes hilarious novel is the second by Pamela Terry, whose outstanding debut novel was The Sweet Taste of Muscadines. This one may be even better. My thanks go to Net Galley and Random House Ballantine for the invitation to read and review. This book is for sale now.

With the death of Harry Cline, we find ourselves at his funeral, a massively attended affair. But his wife, Marietta, develops a disabling, blinding migraine, and although they have been on the outs for years, Butter, her (former) best friend, comes to the rescue. By the time they’ve snuck out the side door of the church, we already know at least a little about both women, and now we want to know everything.

With just two novels published, Terry has already proven herself to be among the best authors when it comes to character development. Soon we’ll meet others—Marietta’s obnoxious brother, Macon and his beleaguered wife Glinda, who will have a large part in this story and is one of my favorite characters, as well as a host of others, who have smaller roles but are each so unmistakably established that it’s no work at all to keep track of them. But perhaps her finest achievement here is in creating a masterpiece that is ultimately a feel good book, despite the use of a red hot real world controversy within its pages.

I generally read several books at a time, and this one is the one that I saved for bedtime, because I wanted to be able to read it uninterrupted, and it is the one I wanted in my head when dreams came. It didn’t let me down.

This inspirational work of Southern fiction stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest classics, To Kill a Mockingbird and Fried Green Tomatoes. I wholeheartedly recommend it to you.

But once in a while the odd thing happens,
Once in a while the dream comes true,
And the whole pattern of life is altered,
Once in a while the moon turns blue.
- W.H. Auden

The statute of General Henry Benning on horseback has guarded Griffin Park in Wesleyan, GA since 1916. Benning was a local Civil War Hero. Of course, not to everyone in town. The nascent movement to permanently remove the statue is interrupted by a rare ice storm which paralyzes the small town and leads to dissention, self-discovery and many new relationships. Marietta and Butter repair their friendship, Glinda finds a new identity, Macon is forced to confront his behavior and many other town residents have enlightening moments.

I would like to tell you so much more about this glowing, jewel of a novel. So beautifully and lyrically written that you won’t want to see it ever end, this story of a small town drama is both emotional and funny, cutting and loving and leaves you wanting more. Pamela Terry, thank you. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Pamela Terry for this ARC.

4.5/5⭐️

I fell in love with this author’s debut, The Sweet Taste of Muscadines, and was excited to get my hands on this one, and she’s DEFINITELY not a one-hit wonder.

Centered around a small Georgia town this one begins with a death and ends with…a happier occasion. This book speaks to how communities/friends can be torn apart by discrimination/political maneuvering and how we’re never too old for change/starting over in our lives.

Ms. Terry is foremost a beautiful writer. Her analogies and her nuanced way with language are often haunting and always a pleasure to take in. The characters here are older (60s-70s), and that’s a refreshingly interesting and unique perspective.

My only concern is that sometimes I feel she leans too heavily and relies too much on stereotypes with some of her southern characters. Yes, there are absolute truths in how she paints her villains, but then again there are those professions that often undeservedly receive a bad rap when portrayed as stereotypical. I won’t go into specifics here to avoid spoilers, but I do find painting folks/positions with a broad harsh brush frustrating.

I wholeheartedly recommend this one and am happy to now consider myself a fan for life.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing the free early arc of When the Moon Turns Blue for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

This wonderful story was like a warm hug with prose that was sculpted so well, one felt the journey the book was on. A small town women’s fiction, this story is told through the eyes of several of the characters all of whom are interconnected by in this small town. The majority of the storyline starts with the death of Marietta’s husband, and a rare ice storm that hits Wesleyan, Ga. and the story takes off from there. We see her family and friends as well as what is driving this small town. I loved it, and thought it was written beautifully.

Definitely a Southern author you'll want to keep up with her works. First time reading from this author but found this an enjoyable book. A lot of characters and many of them overlap from chapter to chapter but you have to pay attention to keep up. Excellent descriptions of these characters and their personalities. Some truly laugh out loud moments and as a Southerner I truly enjoyed them as she captured the tone of the quips between old friends. It also has some depth into relationships over the years and of course the race issues that are everywhere, but it is not 'in your face''. Mostly holds your attention, a few pages that maybe were a little more in detailed than I cared to read but overall a good book. I received a copy of this book at my request. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book. The opinions expressed are my own. Read the publisher synopsis for story details.

When the Moon Turns Blue by Pamela Terry is a wonderful work of contemporary Southern Fiction. The title is spun from prose written by W.H. Auden. "Once in a while the odd things happen, once in a while the dream comes true, and the whole pattern of life is altered, once in a while the moon turns blue."

First let me say that Ms. Terry’s use of the English Language is phenomenal! She uses her excellent skill to weave a story that echos what the Country is going through presently. Her writing is indescribable. I actually stopped a few times and reread the passages because it was written so eloquently. Not something one finds in this day and age.

Ms. Terry creates many memorable characters throughout the story. There is a large cast of characters that come together in Wesleyan, Georgia at a funeral of a local man. The story explores the power of friendship and how sometimes in life friends are the family you choose. All the characters are relatable in one way or another.

The setting was interesting in that a ‘freak’ ice storm happens in Wesleyan and as you can image the town grinds to a halt. I guess there is a thread drawn between the ‘freak’ ice storm and the titles Blue Moon. Ms. Terry’s descriptions of the frozen Georgia landscape is yet another mark of her talent as a writer.

It is a wonderfully prosaic story. The title and the summary appealed to me originally. However I was rewarded with the discovery of an author that I will be watching and waiting for her next story. This is the author’s second novel.

Thank you to Net Galley, Pamela Terry and, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When the Moon Turns Blue by Pamela Terry is definitely a southern novel and the author is also clearly from the south. She has an ear for the language and cadences of southern life. My only real criticism is that there are so many characters who are highlighted that sometimes it got to be a bit much for me. All in all a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you wondered if Pamela Terry knows life in the South, you will have no doubt about it after reading When the Moon Turns Blue. This is the second novel I have read by this author. Once again, she has nailed it. The county in which I live is right now in a political battle over a similar controversial statue. Yes, life goes on despite the monthly newspaper updates but sometimes as in this novel they coincide.

Life is not always easy as this novel begins with a funeral of a greatly loved individual. The chain of events following show the unraveling of other lives too. Then it is rewoven. Sometimes not better but just as good. This realistic story brings that home. Turning points in lives. Maybe not action packed but certainly emotional packed.

I recommend When the Moon Turns Blue to all who love the South but also hope for a better South. It really is up to us.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this story so much!!!!!!! I couldn't put it down, I was that into it!!!!!!!! Definitely a page turner in my opinion

I received a complimentary ARC of this southern novel from Netgalley, author Pamela Terry, and publisher Random House Publishing - Ballantine. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read When the Moon Turns Blue of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I have added Pamela Terry to my Favorite Authors. She writes an awesome Southern tale with deeply defined protagonists and tales, mores, and tricks of the southland that make it so special.

We have the friends and relatives of an isolated community on the outskirts of deeply southern Wesleyan, Georgia, and share with them the angst of loss and unfailing support of friendship, the power of grief and love, and the common sense and compassion we can all give and receive as needed to sustain our world through all the trials that life has to offer.

Thanks to Ballantine for the free book.
This book is beautifully written, and I really enjoyed the ages of the main characters - love reading about people that are not in their 20s. I could easily picture the place in this book, too. However, I struggled with the pacing of this story - it felt so slow to me. I also had a hard time keeping all of the different characters straight. I have read some other reviews and they are so positive and I hope this book gets into the readers who will appreciate this pacing and story.

The plot for the book resonates from just a couple of years ago when it was all the rage.
I know things move at their own speed in the south but this book was an extremely slow read.
I kept reading because I wanted to see who was responsible for destruction.
I didn’t form a rapport with any of the characters.
The cover is pretty.

Wow! What a story! In this town, they don't hide their crazy, they embrace it. The whole town has gone crazy because of a statue. Some want it torn down and some want it left up. When a big ice storm comes to town, everything changes. When everyone discovers the statue has been torn down, everyone is speculating who did it. They are sure it has to be someone from out of town. They don't want to believe one of their neighbors would do such a thing. Will they put it back up? Will they finally figure out who tore it down?

My feelings about When the Moon Turns Blue is all over the place. You can tell that Pamela Terry is from the south by the way she writes. The characters in her books, this one included just jump off the page and remind me of people that I've known my whole life. Being from the south, reading southern fiction always warms my heart. This novel in particular deals with current social issues and does so in a way that brings light and empathy to the subject matter. However, the way the chapters were labeled with the characters who were in the chapter was jarring and it constantly brought me out of the story and then it took me a bit to find the flow again. The writing was often too wordy/flowery and I found myself skimming pages. There were also just too many characters and it often took me a bit to remember who was who. I did love the ending and Gordon's prose on grief and neighbors and the redemption of friendships and making most of the time you have.

An ice storm that happens in Wesleyan, Georgia is a rare occurrence, and as rare as Auden's blue moon. It happens one evening turning the community with a large cast of characters into an ethereal landscape to become frozen with a setting described as poetic with the style of writing not often found in contemporary novels with its starkness and beauty. Also during the ice storm which wreaks havoc for most who inhabit this town it brings together some and it also divides them. A Confederate statue of a General in a local park is struck down at the same time and it is evident that it wasn't destroyed by Mother nature. It is a mystery how this monument was knocked down that Old Man Griffin upon viewing the morning after drops dead. Some think that he died because he is overwhelmed with shock and he never would have removed it since it was erected by his father as far back as 1918.
This is a book about friendships and relationships, both lifelong and newly realized and discovered. Funny how we think we know someone for many years and suddenly find out we never really knew that person at all.
The book was a satisfying read, with a heartwarming ending that came full circle

I loved this book. It was the kind of story that begs you to slow down, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and cozy up to read it in one sitting. It was also kind of a 'ripped from the headlines' tale about Confederate statues and history and family issues and...well...so much. Possibly the best take-away for me was how the book related to the division in our nation now.

An ice storm and the destruction of the statue of a Confederate General play a large part of this story, but there are so many tendrils underlying this.

Marietta, the woman who has just lost her husband and has a large home where there is safety from the ice storm. Butter, her estranged childhood friend who helps Marietta get home when a migraine fells her during her husband's funeral, and moves in when the ice storm causes bursting pipes and flooding in Butter's home.. Gordon, Marietta's friend and the bookstore owner who seeks out Marietta when the ice storm takes out his power and heat. Finally Glinda arrives, Marietta's sister-in-law, who has embarrassed her husband, Marietta's brother Mason, at Marietta's husband Harry's wake.

Each chapter is titled with the people who will be in the next scene. I thought this would be confusing, but it was not.

The writing is so timely. I felt like Ms. Terry was talking about current events, alluding to things happening in our country now as she writes about this town and these people. The divisions that this town shows, mirrors what is playing out in our country. Good people on both sides, with diametrically opposed viewpoints.

A great read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. The review is my own.

4.5 Stars. Every once in a while, you pick up a book and know it's going to be special from the first page. That's the feeling I got when I started this book. I was also surprised by this book. The story is about a woman who has just lost her husband and her friends that for one reason or another descend on her at her house after an ice storm in her small town in Georgia. They are really a hodgepodge of people that spend time together and learn to support each other, regardless of their differences.

This story is also about the racial divide in the small southern town. The symbol for the divide is a statue of a southern war hero. There are already strong feelings about the statue, but when it is destroyed and the owner passes, the decision to put another one up may be more than this small town can survive.

Extremely interesting characters and a lot of characters (I had to take notes so that I could remember who was who). I loved how they all interacted and the complexities of the relationships.

A book about racial and political divide without shoving it down the reader's throat.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

When the Moon Turns Blue is a contemporary story based in Wesleyan Georgia.

Marietta Cline is at her husband's funeral when she begins to feel a migraine coming on. Butter, a friend of hers from the past, observes her and can also see Marietta struggling to get through the service. As they stand for a song, Marietta leaves the service by a side door and runs to the restroom to be sick. Butter rushes to her side and talks her into going home.

An ice storm is forecasted to shut the town down when it hits the next day. As Butter, Will, Glinda and Gordon join Marietta for different reasons of their own, they begin to really talk to one another.

Meanwhile the people of Wesleyan are polarized about a statue of a confederate General being taken down during the ice storm. No one seems to know who did it or why.

Once in a while the odd thing happens,
Once in a while the dreams come true,
And the whole pattern of life is altered,
Once in a while, the moon turns blue
W. H. Auden

When the Moon Turns Blue is story of friendship and family during a time of emotional conflict. This is told without taking sides of the controversy. The writing is wonderfully written, although there were many characters to keep track of. It is told from many points of view. I was surprised by who had taken the statue down, I just couldn't settle on any of the characters. I enjoyed the story as it made me think about it long after I finished reading.

When we arrive in the small town of Wesleyan, Georgia, a beloved man is dead, a statue has caused the town to split in two and an ice storm is on the way. When the ice shuts down road and bursts pipes, the new widow, Marietta, finds herself with three unlikely visitors, each with their own griefs going on. I found When the Moon Turns Blue a very interesting picture of what can divide a community and whether or not it can be put back together. Dealing with issues every southerner is familiar with in a civil war statue under fire and an upcoming race for mayor, Terry plops us right in the middle of small town life and we feel like we have always been there. Like most books set in the south, even those written by people who live here, there are far too many made up phrases. However, if you are someone who has ever run to the Kroger to buy bread and milk before the ice storm, or you want to know what that is like, preorder this one now, it comes out 2/21/23.