36 pages • 1 hour read
Lee SmithFair and Tender Ladies
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith, published in 1988, is an epistolary novel chronicling the life of Ivy Rowe, a Virginia mountain girl, through her letters from childhood in the early 1900s to her death in the 1970s. Ivy faces numerous challenges, writes vividly about her life, dreams of an education, deals with family responsibilities, love, heartbreak, and personal growth as she navigates her complex world. The book contains themes of sexual assault, pregnancy, grief, and marital issues.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Summarizing various reviews, Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith is praised for its strong character development and immersive storytelling, capturing the essence of Southern Appalachian life. Some critiques point to a slow pace and occasional predictability. Overall, the novel's emotional depth and authentic voice make it a compelling read.
Who Should Read Fair and Tender Ladies?
Readers who cherish strong, authentic Southern voices and intricate storytelling will enjoy Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith. Fans of books like The Color Purple by Alice Walker and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd will find similar emotional depth and rich character development.