Synopses & Reviews
Meet Georgia, SuSu, Teeny, Diane, and Linda-five women who've been best friends through thirty years since high school. Whenever they get the chance, they don their red hats and purple outfits for a delicious monthly serving of racy jokes, iced tea and chicken salad, baskets of sweet rolls, the latest Buckhead gossip, and-most of all-lively support and caring through the ups and downs of their lives. When Diane discovers her banker husband has a condo (with mistress) that he bought with their retirement funds, the Red Hats swing into action and plot to hang him with his own rope in a story that serves up laughter, elegant revenge, high school memories, long-lost loves, a suburban dominatrix, plenty of white wine and junk food and most of all, the power of friendship.
" A tribute to women who emerged victorious through divorce, menopause, spreading waistlines, and other tribulations." -Chicago Tribune
"The Red Hat Club is a valuable life lesson for women of all ages...a spunky, sexy, intriguing, lickety-split romp." -Times (Roanoke, VA)
This novel has not been authorized or endorsed by the Red Hat Society™
Review
"By turns humorous and poignant, this is a novel with characters so real that even non-Southerners will find them familiar." Library Journal
Review
"By turns humorous and poignant, this is a novel with characters so real that even non-Southerners will find them familiar."
-Library Journal
"Smith's celebration of comradeship is a loving tribute to those lifelong relationships that may defy logic but are destined to outlive many other associations. A joyous, joyful ode to the older woman."
-Booklist
"Told in first person by one of the friends, this story is a wonderful journey, as older women discover life can continue to be new and challenging after middle age...This book is not only fun to read but, for some, may even be a learning experience."
-Romantic Times Book Review
Review
A gossipy, engaging read, full of witty Southern characters readers will be unable to resist the urge to cheer on." -Florida Times-Union
"Smith's celebration of comradeship is a loving tribute to those lifelong relationships that may defy logic...a joyous, joyful ode." -Booklist
"Rowdy Southern feminist fantasy." -Kirkus Reviews
"The Red Hat Club ladies are just Bridget, older, wiser, and with husbands who may or may not be faithful." -Toronto Sun
"A fine, confiding...voice, which makes for a fast, easy read. Her dialogue is true to life. She has a wicked sense of humor." -Bookreporter.com
"Inspiring...fun to read." -Romantic Times
"A humorous, cathartic coming-of-middle-age story of five feisty women who refuse to throw in the towel-or the hat." -Tennessean
"A hoot...A delightful read that shows that even 'mature' women can be full of surprises to themselves and others." -Chattanooga Times
"A great story with many fond memories for anyone who had a group of ladies in their high school."-Book Review Café
"An engaging tale that welcomes readers as if they were sharing wine with the heroines...fans of women's fiction will appreciate Haywood Smith's fine homage to the southern female."
-Harriet's Book Reviews
Review
Praise for the audio edition of THE RED HAT CLUB
“Smiths incisive wit and awareness of her setting, coupled with Darlows dynamic, Southern-accented delivery and skill at creating distinct character voices—from SuSus husky, smoke-roughened voice to the righteous, prissy voice of Georgias conscience —will make listeners feel like an honorary member of the club.”—Publishers Weekly
“The reading by Cynthia Darlow is done with Southern embellishments as authentic as a magnolia bloom.”—Memphis Commercial Appeal
“Cynthia Darlows rendition...has just the right amount of animation and Southern twang.”—AudioFile
Synopsis
Now the sassy southern New York Times bestseller that started it all is available on CD!Meet Georgia, SuSu, Teeny, Diane, and Linda—five women whove been best friends through thirty years since high school. Sit in when they don their red hats and purple outfits to join Atlantas “Ladies Who Lunch” for a delicious monthly serving of racy jokes, iced tea and chicken salad, baskets of sweet rolls, the latest Buckhead gossip, and most of all—lively support and caring through the ups and downs of their lives.
About the Author
Baby boomer
Haywood Smith (born Anne Haywood Pritchett) grew up as one of five children in north Atlanta, Georgia. She has incorporated many of her memories of E. Rivers Elementary, Northside High, and Buckhead into her latest, light-hearted tribute to Southern womanhood.
Inspired by Jenny Joseph's free-spirited poem, "Warning," Haywood has revisited the "big small town" of her youth in this coming-of-middle age tribute to the "Jilted Generation"-women who, like her, have emerged victorious through divorce, terrible teens, menopause, the Internet, tennis elbow, spreading waistlines, nothing but tacky clothes in the stores, and countless other modern tribulations.
Haywood loves to hear from readers who enjoy her books. Please write her care of St. Martin's Press at 175 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10010. or email her at [email protected] with "Reader Mail" in the subject line.
For information about future books and local appearances, please visit her website at haywoodsmith.net.