I have a suspicion that the publicists missed the mark when promoting Laura Lee Smith’s Heart of Palm. I’m in no way qualified to make that statement (because really, I know nothing about how those publicists work) however I know what sort of books reach out from the shelves in a book shop and yell “Pick me! Pick me!”. Obviously something about Heart of Palm caught my attention (on Netgalley) but it was years ago, and each time I read the blurb again, I wondered what it was that had attracted me…
It presents as somewhat light-weight, possibly even straying into chick-lit territory. And that cover with the fancy script? File the book under mum-lit or family saga.
Now scrap all that I’ve implied.
Heart of Palm is a finely written story that has memorable but believable characters, a wonderful sense of place and enough action to keep you reading (but not so much that would make the story improbable). Think Grey Gardens meets Carl Hiaasen.
3.5/5 Don’t judge a book by its cover. Or its blurb.
I received my copy of Heart of Palm, from the publisher, Grove Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Arla, the matriarch, says “Don’t be like me… Don’t be afraid of change. Don’t be crippled by fear.” And she goes ahead and orders the tuna melt, as she always does. Check out this recipe for a ‘tuna’ melt – it’s vegan. I’m not vegan but thought this recipe was clever (and I’m sure you don’t need a recipe for an ordinary tuna melt…).
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I think I might make that sandwich, but with tuna and cheese. Looks yum. And jackfruit… interesting.
I don’t know anything about PR either, but I would never pick up the novel with that cover – it definitely doesn’t make me think of Carl Hiaasen! I need to be less judgmental….
That cover is very bland – absolutely nothing that screams read me.