The Pecan Man is a work of Southern fiction by Florida native Cassie Dandridge Selleck. Its first chapter was the First Place winner of the 2006 CNW/FFWA Florida State Writing Competition in the Unpublished Novel category. In the summer of 1976, recently widowed and childless Ora Lee Beckworth hires a homeless old black man to mow her lawn. The neighborhood children call him the Pee-can Man; … Pee-can Man; their mothers call them inside whenever he appears. When he is arrested for murder, only Ora knows the truth about the man she calls Eddie. But truth is a fickle thing, and a lie is self-perpetuating. Ora and her maid Blanche soon find themselves in a web of lies that send an innocent man to prison for the rest of his life. Twenty-five years later, Ora sets out to tell the truth about the Pecan Man. Listen as she begins her story:
“Blanche worked for me through birth and death, joy and sorrow and Lord knows we had a lot of sorrow in all the time we spent under this roof. Most people figured she was crazy to put up with me all those years, but Blanche and I had an understanding. It was a vow we made back in 1976. Neither of us spoke of it afterwards, but it hung between us like a spider web, fragile and easy to break, but danged hard to get shed of once the threads took hold.”
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There is so much I could say about this book. It is a story that touches the soul. A story set in the small town “old South” of the 1970s. A story of deep friendship, acceptance, sacrifice, and love. A story of decisions made when people find themselves and the ones they love caught between tragedy and truth that could cause worse tragedy. Ultimately, it is the story of a woman who discovers that skin color doesn’t matter when hearts are bound together in a friendship as deep as family. The story is well written and had me thinking of the characters in between times of picking up the book. The reason I only gave it four stars is that is was too short – the ending and its revelations seemed to wrap up a little too quickly and at times read like an epilogue. But, this is definitely a story worth reading and thinking about!
Excellent reading in any day!
I loved this little book so much- it has a very powerful story about lies and how they hurt people, even if some lies are told for good. It also explores the meaning of family and how family isn’t always a blood relative.
The Pecan Man is a homeless man, and Ora Lee Beckworth hires him to care for her lawn. This decision causes some neighbors to question her sanity-but Ora Lee is kind and wants to help.
When Ora’s housekeeper’s, Blanche’s, daughter, Grace is harmed, it sets off a series of events that changes all of their lives.
Ora Lee develops an understanding of race relations and how her part in society didn’t always reflect the right way. Still Ora Lee perseveres.
This is a short book (136 pages), but it packs a punch! So good!
#ThePecanMan #CassieDandridgeSelleck
Loved it!
I picked this book up at the senior center for a dime. I read the blurb and had to bring it home. It’s a sad book, but it’s a great book. I was hooked right away.
Wonderful read
Thought provoking
The tone and narrative of this well-crafted novel quickly swept me into this subtle but intense tale of how one horrific act changes the lives of many, forcing the characters to make difficult choices that put their own safety and freedoms at risk. The author did a wonderful job transporting me to a small southern town where racial prejudice ruled the day. I hope to see more by this author!
To loved it. Great story
A book friend recommended that I read The Pecan Man and then she sent me a copy. I almost didn’t read it simply because I thought it’s too short to be any good. Well, was I wrong!! The Pecan Man is a beautifully written southern fiction story that has been described as To Kill A Mockingbird meets The Help. I fell in love with the characters of Ora Lee and Blanche from page one. Even though the pages are few, this story will linger with me for a long time! Thank you for the recommendation and copy, Lisa!
Family is not always blood related.
Very light situational read
I loved this book. A heartwarming and tragic story. Follow up The Truth about Grace. Each under 200 pages.
Really enjoyed this book. It was easy to ready, the characters and story keep your attention. The book allows you to look at life from a different perspective and is sadly realistic for the time and place represented.
Just okay….
I enjoyed the originality of the story. It had a different angle but definitely believable. The characters could have been from one of the small southern towns I spent several years in as a young girl during the late 50’s. I did cry before it was over but it wasn’t a tear jerker. Actually kind of bittersweet.
I am looking forward to reading the next story in the series which Ibought before I finished The Pecan Man. I hope it doesn’t disappoint.
Well written. Characters a well developed. I usually enjoy Southern writers and she is no exception. Have recommended this to several friends.
Absolutely loved the main character who was the narrator. She is such a gracious Southern lady. This is not a romance or a mystery, it is a story about the lives of a few people who have their share of happiness and sorrow.
Relevant to the lack of understanding among races.
The Pecan Man lets the kindnesses of people drip from their tongues only to open secrets long held, and the realization of lives lived in pain. A father, lost for years, shows up at a house where the main caretaker is his estranged daughter. Neither recognizes who the other is. What an original story. Loved it.