Sweet as Cane, Salty as Tears by Ken Wheaton Book Review

This is another book who’s cover intrigued me! I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover, but sometimes others just stand out and call to you. After reading the book review by Sharon from Miss Green Eyes, I decided to give it a whirl.

Katherine 50, divorced, lives in New York and has a job in media. But Katherine, or Katie-Lee, is still hiding from her Cajun roots, despite being in New York for about 30 years. Katie-Lee avoids Louisiana and her family as much as she can, choosing to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas abroad as often as she can. But when Facebook addicted Katie-Lee sees a story about how her younger sister has been seriously injured by a rampant rhino, she has to face up to her family (especially her strong willed older sister Kendra-Sue) and the demons she left behind when she ran away from Louisiana.

I really liked this book, it’s a slow build and it jumps back and forth between the past and the present, slowly building up to the story of why Katie-Lee left Louisiana 30 years ago. I did guess what happened before finding out, but I didn’t mind that as I liked the narration and the characters. I like how Wheaton uses Cajun words and sayings when Katie-Lee and her family are talking (but how Katherine doesn’t when she’s with her New York friends!), it added to the characters. Katie-Lee is one of 6 and coming from a big family myself, I liked seeing the large family dynamic pan out. This book certainly has some funny moments, but I wouldn’t classify it as a comedy. It’s sort of a coming of age novel for a 50 year old, if that makes sense? Coming to terms with the past, trying to figure out what to do with the future but also trying to cope in the present. I guess we’re all trying to cope with those situations in a way but what I liked was the fact the protaganist is 50 years old, it’s refreshing to have characters slightly older and to see that they can feel the same way as you do in your 20s. I especially liked the relationship between Katie-Lee and Kendra-Sue. They seem like the strongest out of the 4 sisters, essentially both sides of the coin who’s lives turned out differently, Katie-Lee escaping her small hometown to live it up in the Big Apple, while Kendra-Sue becoming a teenage mother, living in a trailer and never venturing much outside Louisiana.

I definitely recommend giving this book a go, it’s another quick read that I finished in a day. I found it entertaining and at times even a bit heart breaking. And from the looks of other reviews, if you have Southern roots, then you’ll definitely appreciate this book!