Review: Della and Darby by Susannah B. Lewis

 

Della and Darby

by Susannah B. Lewis 

About the Book

 

 In this small Mississippi town, everyone has long memories and loud opinions.

Twins Della and Darby Redd may be identical in appearance, but they couldn’t be more different. Della is outspoken, obsessed with purple, and desperate to be accepted by her peers. Darby is introverted, creative, and sees no need to speak to anyone besides her sister and grandmother, Birdie. Due to a tragedy from their past, all three women’s lives have been blanketed in judgment, scandal, and rumor, preventing them from experiencing true peace and contentment in their small town of Clay Station, Mississippi.

When the sisters enter the final year of their twenties, Birdie and Della begin planning an elaborate thirtieth birthday bash. Della believes the party will finally win her acceptance with the in-crowd and dreams of bringing her boss, Dr. Brian Faulkner, as her date. But when Darby begins to form an unexpected friendship with her goofy coworker, Cliff, she learns through him about a scandalous secret involving Dr. Faulkner that is sure to end in disaster. Telling her sister the truth will force them both to face the reality of who they have become—and whether they still have a place in each other’s future.

In her latest novel, beloved Southern author Susannah B. Lewis explores the burden and blessing of family legacies and the moments along the way for which to give thanks and celebrate.

 

My Thoughts

 

I love this book. I cannot stress that enough. It has most assuredly earned a spot on my all-time favorites shelf. And it’s so surprising, because I am not a huge fan of contemporary fiction. It has to be something really special for me to get excited about contemporary fiction. Della and Darby is so far beyond “something special.”

Susannah B. Lewis just has a gift. Her way with words is something magical. I just lose myself in her books and come out feeling so full when I’ve turned the last page. I loved her last novel, Bless Your Heart, Rae Sutton, but Della and Darby is on a whole other level, in my opinion.

I think one of the reasons this book resonated with me so much is the complexities of the two sisters and their relationship. They are twins and have been through everything together, yet they have been affected by their circumstances in such different ways. Della’s pain manifests itself as a need for perfection, to prove herself to those around her. Darby withdraws into herself, preferring to spend her quiet life working at the local factory and evenings with her grandmother. Della and Darby are like most other sisters; they argue and hurl hurtful words at one another. They misunderstand one another at times, yet at others know exactly what the other needs. And underneath it all, there is a deep love that no circumstance can diminish.

 Another thing that I adore about this book is that it does not glamorize the South, as so much Southern fiction is wont to do. Yes, people “bless” each other’s hearts, and there is sweet tea and fried green tomatoes aplenty, but it paints a true picture of what life in the South is like. The class divides, the struggles, the hypocrisy, the community, and the simplicity of a quiet life in a small town. I also like how “regular” lives were portrayed. Della works as a receptionist at a doctor’s office, and Darby works at a factory. It was nice to see “blue collar” workers positively portrayed in fiction for once.

I can’t say enough good things about Della and Darby. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.