The Quaker Café (A Quaker Café Novel) Kindle Edition
by Brenda Bevan Remmes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 2,134 ratings
Part of: A Quaker Café Novel (2 Books)
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“A Southern charm all its own…Remmes’s story will have readers intrigued in part because much of her tale surrounds the Quaker beliefs in a modern-day world. She presents her characters in life’s funniest yet vulnerable situations, and allows them to work through their challenges page by colorful page.” —Michele Howe, Bookreporter.com
“For those who love a terrific Southern story with fascinating characters and a genuine sense of place, this book is a must.” —Beth Hoffman, New York Times bestselling author of Looking for Me and Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
“Be prepared to laugh, cry, and gasp as you read Brenda Bevan Remmes’s The Quaker Café, an intriguing story whose unique cast of characters with long-held secrets is fractured, then put back together again, piece by healing piece.” —Julie Kibler, bestselling author of Calling Me Home
“While Remmes explores the South of this time and place with affection, tolerance, and a sense of humor, she also shows us the kind of courage it takes to make a difference in our little slices of the world.” —Kathryn E. Lovatt, SC Arts Commission 2013 Prose Fellow, 2012 and 2013 winner of Press 53 Open Award for short fiction
“The Quaker Café tells an engrossing story with humor and sympathy for the people on both sides of a difficult situation.” —Katherine Mccaughan, award-winning author of Natasha Lands Down Under
“A story tinged with just the right Southern sound and sensibility…told with layers of laughter and love and lumps in the throat.” —Marti Healy, author of The Rhythm of Selby
“Cedar Branch could represent any number of places below the Mason-Dixon, each and every one of them offering their own closely-related brand of politics and deference to family lineage.” —Sandy Richardson, author of The Girl Who Ate Chicken Feet
“This is a captivating and touching novel about the intersections of race, class, religion, and ethics in small town North Carolina in the early 1990’s. Remmes neither avoids the really tough questions, nor offers simplistic solutions. The result is a very well-written story with a number of important surprises.” —J. Stephen Rhodes, author of What Might Not Be
About the Author
Brenda Bevan Remmes lives with her husband near Black River Swamp, South Carolina, in an old family home filled with the history of generations past. Her stories and articles have appeared in many publications and journals, including Newsweek. She spent her career conducting rural health education programs for the Schools of Medicine at both the University of North Carolina and the University of South Carolina. The Quaker Café is her first novel.
Product details
ASIN : B00N9JZHGQ
Publisher : Lake Union Publishing (September 16, 2014)
Customer Reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars 2,134 ratings
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Biography
My mother tells me as a child of two I used to stand on top of the two foot brick wall that edged our front yard and wait for someone to walk down the sidewalk. The boundaries were set. I couldn't leave the yard, but I could accompany anyone who passed by the length of the brick wall. Thus, I spent my afternoons walking the wall, finding out people's names, where they were going, and if they had any children my age who might want to come and play.
As a Southern woman, I still pay attention to boundaries, but I am forever talking to people and waiting for the next story someone tells me. I've grown up in a family of characters and story tellers. If you ask any of us how our day went, don't expect a simple answer. Answers involve descriptions and descriptions that are worth listening to entertain the listener. If there's not a laugh in there somewhere, you've missed the mark.
Throughout my life, regardless of my day job, I've always felt that entertainment was a crucial part of success. People who find some joy in what they do are more self-confident, act nicer to one another, and don't get sidelined by fears. I hope my writing entertains you, that the stories I tell give you opportunities to laugh while you gain some insight into how people handle difficult situations. If it helps you to challenge a preconceived notion...Wow. I accomplished even more than I hoped.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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5.0 out of 5 stars memorable reading experience
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2014
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Accolades to the author of this excellent novel. The characters and their lives are so well put together that at times I thought I was reading a true story. The story involves a small town in North Carolina and it's inhabitants. The day to day living experiences that are part of small town life and in some cases urban life as well, are very believable and I was truly sorry that the book ended. The story and the people are flawlessly developed throughout the book so much so it's as if the reader is actually there. The life experiences described are ones that almost everyone can relate to. In certain cases the location of the story plays a big part as to the outcome of a few of the events that take place. There is something here for everyone. Events are not exaggerated which may result in making them appear absurd. The author has a knack of being able to write about situations that many people have faced in their own lives. It's almost as if she was there when these events took place. The book almost takes on a personal aspect as one gets into it. There are quite a few lessons to be learned relating to not only small town life in the south but life in general no matter where you live. There is also humor, warmth. sadness and the realization that one must come to terms and accept responsibility for both the good and bad experiences that have played a part in their lives. It is easy to accept the positives associated with goodness. It is not easy finding it within yourself to accept the negative results from something you were a part of in the past which resulted in a catastrophic outcome. This is one of the best books I have ever read concerning everyday people dealing with the good and bad life has to offer. It is quite refreshing reading a novel that in my opinion had absolutely nothing in it that I could criticize in a negative way. Regretfully, this does not happen too often. I am hoping that the author continues writing novels as realistically down to earth and as enjoyable as this one was. It was truly a pleasure devoting time to reading the perfect novel. Looking forward to more from this author.
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43 people found this helpful
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Jim V
5.0 out of 5 stars Just Finished - Glad I Read It
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2014
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I'm a big fan of entering other cultures - and for this Midwestern-raised, adopted New Englander, the South is another culture. Not to mention the world of contemporary Quakerism. The Quaker Café is a joyful read with a carefully crafted story that ends from the heart. It rings true. Read and enjoy!
85 people found this helpful
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Betty Wilson Beamguard
5.0 out of 5 stars A perfectly beautiful novel
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2014
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What a beautiful book, inside and out. If it didn't contain such entertaining stories and valuable life lessons, I'd include it in my decor. The cover is perfect with my apartment's blue-greens and browns, but I'll be passing it around.
Not only is the story wonderful, the writing is excellent and I found no errors. That is so rare these days. I do hope it will some day be made into a movie. It deserves the widest possible audience.
30 people found this helpful
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E. Mcneill
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written and Enjoyable!
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2015
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This book had a lot of personal meaning for me, I come from a
Quaker background, and my father grew up in a tiny town in Northeastern NC and throughout the book I could picture Woodland, NC and it's Quaker Meeting House. When I read the acknowledgements, I knew the author had at least visited there since she mentioned a Futrell (my father's name) and Anna Burgwyn, another relative a few times removed, but that name was often mentioned by my parents. I even had two great aunts who dressed in the old Quaker fashion of plain dresses and bonnets and spoke with thees and thous. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and think I would have even without my personal connections. It is a book about a small town, blacks and whites, rich and poor, families and their ups and downs, cancer and those who try to heal it, and most of all hope for a better future. Thoroughly enjoyed this book! And best of all it was not full of mispellings like so many books are today.
5 people found this helpful
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Sandy Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars Liberals in the South? Bless our hearts!
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2014
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Liberals in the South? Bless our hearts! We are oddities, but not as rare as many think. I could so relate to Maggie and Liz, and I’ve met the judge in person, and felt right at home as I dove into reading The Quaker Café.
Who wouldn’t love a good mystery set in one of the most intriguing cultures of the world where past, present, and future breed and feed one upon the other to create a way of life both alien and familiar to all who dare live within its boundaries? Cedar Branch could represent any number of places below the Mason-Dixon, each and every one of them offering their own closely-related brand of politics, deference to family lineage, and even Big-Pig Teams.
Ms. Remmes has created lots of love, laughter, and life (unlimited by geography) for readers near and far. I urge you to put up your feet, grab a glass of sweet tea, and while-away a weekend in the lives, mystery, and heartbreak of her characters from Cedar Branch.
Oh, and grab a tissue, too. You’ll need it by the time you get to the lines “Walk in the light….Wherever you may be, darling, walk in the light.”
Sandy Richardson, author of The Girl Who Ate Chicken Feet
2 people found this helpful
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Martha
5.0 out of 5 stars The Quaker Café is a real treasure
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2014
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I laughed, I cried, I loved this book throughout and to the very end. In fact, I didn't want it to end and hope there will soon be others by this talented author. This book appeals to anyone With a Southern soul and who appreciates a humorous approach to life's challenges. I marveled at the Quaker wisdom and hope to adopt the "way will open" approach to life.
45 people found this helpful
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katewickham
5.0 out of 5 stars Important Story Masterfully Written
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2016
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I laughed. I cried. I despaired. I found courage, hope and wisdom. I immediately put this in my "favorite authors," "favorite re-read," and "church related" collections. Then I checked for other books and found one is due out later this month. I pre-ordered. Other reviewers will talk about the story and the skill of the writer. I'll just say this is an important book that you'll also enjoy reading and sharing. I put it in "church related" for wisdom I'll share with my community in various ways - thinking it will be my recommendation for the next Spirit Group I lead (already chose another book for the group that starts this month.)
2 people found this helpful
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J. Herbert
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2015
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I loved this book. I laughed out loud. I cried. I heaved a huge sigh of relief at the end.
I felt totally involved with the story and characters. The deep simple faith of the Quaker family contrasted with the excesses of modern life. But, as was to be shown, we all have our weaknesses . The reconciliation of a horrific error in early life drives the book to an amazing denouement.
The author sympathetically deals with the tensions which still exist in the South, handles the effects of cancer on whole families, delves into the ups and downs of a mixed small town community and gives us characters we shan't forget.
21 people found this helpful
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D J Peters
4.0 out of 5 stars But I really really enjoyed it - if enjoy is the correct word to ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2016
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An unlikely choice for me and I simply bought it because it was a Kindle offer. But I really really enjoyed it - if enjoy is the correct word to describe being caught up in a a series of events with wide reaching consequences. An insight into the Quaker format of religion was beautifully portrayed and informative. It left me with a great respect for them. Equally the Gospel Church has inspirational elements.With one single exception, which was deliberate by the author, you will finish the book with respect for all the main characters. Their sense of community makes you envious. Their collective sincerity to help overcome individual difficulties is wonderful. Looking forward to the sequel.
2 people found this helpful
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Diane
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2016
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Being a Quaker myself I bought this bought mainly because of the title. As I started to read I thought I was going to read a pleasant but somewhat run-of-the mill story but this proved not to be the case. Progressing, the story deepened into some thought provoking situations prompting one to examine what one might have done oneself in similar circumstances. It's an inspiring story, nicely written with excellent characters. The Quaker philosophy is sensitively explored and there are interesting tensions built up between old style Quakerism and the more modern generations. A very nice book and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
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The Cat's Mother
3.0 out of 5 stars Not for you if you want lots of action and suspense
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2016
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I have to admit it took me a little while to get into the book and I can understand why a lot of the negative reviewers gave up. But once the story develops it is a good account of life in a Quaker community with dark family secrets, racial tension and both funny and sad moments. If you are looking for high drama or a psychological thriller that keeps you reading into the middle of the night, this isn't the book for you, but if you enjoy reading about family life and conflicts in a different culture, this is well worth a try.
4 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2015
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Liz is a strong yet dependable character. I loved her little mishaps and laughed out loud as she caused Grandma Hoole to remind her of the Quaker way. Heartbreak and guilt are dealt with in such a compassionate way. Loved reading this story.
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