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Overview

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns is a coming-of-age novel set in the early 20th century that was published in 1984. It follows the life of fourteen-year-old Will Tweedy in the fictional town of Cold Sassy, Georgia. After his grandfather, E. Rucker Blakeslee, marries a young woman just weeks after his wife’s death, the town is scandalized. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and societal expectations as it vividly captures the nuances of Southern life. Will’s narrative voice, humor, and poignant observations make Cold Sassy Tree a charming and rich exploration of family, tradition, and the complexities of a changing society. 

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