Heir to the Everlasting, by Janice Daugharty

The Pulitzer-nominated author of EARL IN THE YELLOW SHIRT turns her acclaimed talents to an epic story of three generations of Southern women at Big Eddy, the home place they love. HEIR TO THE EVERLASTING begins at the turn of the last century with the beautiful, determined Pinkie Alexander, strong-willed matron of the Alexander clan. Come Hell or the high water of the south Georgia river which gave Big Eddy its name, Pinkie will ensure the survival of her family on their beloved land--a place where the family cemetery guards the spirit of the past, and where secrets, as well as the dearly departed, are buried.

Follow the lives, loves, mysteries, deadly feuds and steely courage of the Alexander women through a full century of joys and sorrows. HEIR TO THE EVERLASTING showcases the culture, language and daily travails of their time and place with vivid storytelling skills and Janice Daugharty's love for "the working words."


A quintessential Southern home, but not the genteel South. The Alexanders from Big Eddy, are from the rural South. This part of Georgia was very likely never a place that Scarlett (a la Gone with the Wind) ever visited. Because of the deaths and young ages of the "men folk," this is a matriarchal society on the plantation. Pinkie is the declared leader of all things at Big Eddy, including it's trials.

Heir to the Everlasting is the story of a family as they work to maintain their home and existence without being dragged too far into the rest of the world. It's Pinkie's story of being the matriarch. It's May's story of growing up under the tutelage of a strong woman whose primary focus was family and keeping the family home. And it's Sara Ann's story, another granddaughter learning what home and family really entail. It's the story of family, relationships, and triumph in spite of it all.

It's not "easy" reading, but it's meaningful reading. It's rich and delicious in the way that it catches you up and satisfies you. I hated to have it end, and it has stuck with me for days. Truly a classic from an inspiring author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Bell Bridge Books through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”