Driftwood Summer

Table of Contents

 

 

 

“Patti Callahan Henry’s characters are complex and well drawn, and the sea sings in every syllable.”—Anne Rivers Siddons

 

“Henry gently draws readers into her story and then keeps them fully engaged until her tale is completely told. Readers who crave books that sparkle with the sheer beauty of language can rely on her.”—
Booklist

 

“An engaging read that implores the reader to get to the end for the satisfaction of finding out the answers to those secrets.”—
The Herald-Sun
(NC)

 

 

 

“Henry writes with a lyrical touch. . . . Fans of Mary Alice Monroe will appreciate
Between the Tides
both for its writing style and narrative arc.”

—
Charleston City Paper

 

“Brings to mind such authors as Pat Conroy, Anne Rivers Siddons, and Dorothea Benton Frank—against whom Henry stacks up admirably. . . . Southern fiction at its best.”—St. John Flynn, host of NPR’s
Cover to Cover

 

“Henry’s warm, smoothly paced novel explores well-traveled themes of reconciliation and rebirth with fresh energy.”—
Publishers Weekly

 

Visit us online at
www.penguin.com
.

“
Between the Tides
is my first novel by Patti Callahan Henry—and it won’t be the last. I intend to devour them all. . . . Her prose is lyrical and so vivid you actually visualize her settings and can smell the air and sea of the Lowcountry of South Carolina. I found myself rereading passages because they were so beautiful or because I found them profound in their simplicity.”—Armchair Interviews

 

“A rich, enthralling story . . . sheer enjoyment.”—
Rockdale Citizen
(GA)

 

 

“Not just a beautifully written story, but an important one as well. It’s about all the things that make us worthy as human beings—integrity, honesty, and living the life you are meant to live. And perhaps most importantly, it shows us what brings genuine happiness . . . a triumph!”

—Dorothea Benton Frank,
New York Times
bestselling author of
The Land of Mango Sunsets

 

“An inspiring tale that awakens one’s mind to the choices made in life and accentuates the importance of following your heart. Henry’s characters are true to life and full of depth; her settings, vivid and symbolic; and her story, memorable and timeless. Expect to be caught in the grip of this powerful novel to the very end.”—
Romantic Times
(4½ Stars)

 

“Henry is showing us that while those happy families may be utterly similar, they are also a gift—to everyone.”—
Atlanta Woman m
agazine

 

“Known for her lyrical writing in
Losing the Moon
and
Where the River Runs
, Henry doesn’t disappoint in this beautiful novel of discovery and self-acceptance, a romance with universal appeal.”—
Booklist
(Starred Review)

 

“Even for those readers—most, I would imagine—who don’t have some epic, tragic, teenage first love, the ideas still resonate . . . a quick, enjoyable read [that] stays with you afterward, as you wonder if there are hints of your own heart worth a listen.”—
The Herald-Sun
(NC)

 

“A compelling tale . . . part romance, part self-discovery, completely entertaining. Compared to major Southern writers, Patti Callahan Henry holds her own.”

—
Topsail Magazine

 

“Books about the journey to self-realization often make us contemplate our own lives and choices. You travel with the character through joy, heartache, and redemption, and when it’s over, you have laughed and cried. This book proves no exception. . . . Descriptive language, paired with heartfelt characters, accentuates the story, which is peppered with Lowcountry culture and customs. . . . After reading this tale, cherishing family and home becomes the reader’s own mantra.”—
Southern Living
magazine

 

“Quietly reflective and softly compelling, this tale of a Lowcountry woman’s re-blossoming will touch your heart and make you wonder about long-forgotten possibilities waiting to be rediscovered in your own family and soul.”

—Charleston Post and Courier
(SC)

 

“
Where the River Runs
is an expression of love between author and story. Readers will instantly fall for Patti Callahan Henry’s unique voice and lyrical writing style in this satisfying story of a secret revealed.”—
Topsail Magazine

 

“A melodious, encouraging tale that upholds memories, friendship, and family.”

—Atlanta Woman
magazine

 

“As in Henry’s debut,
Losing the Moon
, and this beautifully written story, the sheer lyricism of the author’s voice transports the reader. Fans of such books as Mary Alice Monroe’s
Skyward
, also about the Gullah, and Patricia Gaffney’s
Flight Lessons
will add this book to their list of favorites.”—
Booklist

 

 

“Henry has been hailed as being included in the ranks of important Southern writers such as Pat Conroy and Anne Rivers Siddons. If this debut novel is any indication . . . we can look forward to many years of reading enjoyment.”

—
Chance Times Record News
(TX)

 

“Readers who enjoy the lyrical voices of Patricia Gaffney and Mary Alice Monroe will also be drawn to this talented newcomer.”—
Booklist
(Starred Review)

 

“Patti Callahan Henry’s engaging story and compelling characters captured my heart from page one, and stayed with me long after the final, satisfying conclusion. Don’t miss this wonderful book.”—Haywood Smith

ALSO BY PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY

NAL Accent
Published by New American Library, a division of
Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street,
New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto,
Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)
Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
Penguin Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)
Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124,
Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)
Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park,
New Delhi - 110 017, India
Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632,
New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)
Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue,
Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices:
80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

First published by NAL Accent, an imprint of New American Library,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

First Printing, June 2009

Copyright © Patti Callahan Henry, 2009

Conversation Guide copyright © Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 2009
All rights reserved

REGISTERED TRADEMARK—MARCA REGISTRADA
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA:

Henry, Patti Callahan.
Driftwood summer/Patti Callahan Henry.
p. cm.

eISBN : 978-1-101-05743-8

1. Sisters—Fiction. 2. Family secrets—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3608.E578D75 2009
813’.6—dc22 2009000969

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

To my dearest friends, who just happen to be my sisters: Barbi Callahan Burris and Jeannie Callahan Cunnion

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This novel is a collaboration of many beautiful voices, which shaped, formed, changed, inspired, and improved the novel. To those voices I want to extend a sincere thank-you.

—To my family: Pat, Meagan, Thomas and Rusk. I love you. I couldn’t and wouldn’t do this without you. Special thanks to Bonnie and George Callahan, my extraordinary parents, and to Gwen and Chuck Henry, whom I would have chosen as in-laws even if I hadn’t married their son.

 

—To my agent, Kimberly Whalen, who always knows what works and what doesn’t. She can also make me laugh—a lot.