Sue Betz hosts this evening’s discussion of The Moonflower Vine by Jetta Carleton.

This book was published in 1964 and became a favorite of many. One Amazon reader said: I first read The Moonflower Vine in the summer of 1972, when I would put my children to bed for their naps. It has become my ritual every summer to reread this book. I not only feel that I know these characters personally, but the story reminds me of a simpler time when I spent my afternoons tending my garden and reading and watching my children play in the sun. I would love to have Jetta Carleton's gift. She has said what so many of us wish we could say about our families - "...all the days that we had spent here together. What was I going to do when such days came no more?" I had no idea that copies of this book were so hard to come by. I will now treasure it even more. If you can find it, and have not read it, please do so. Then plant some moonflowers of your own. You'll never forget this story.

Another describes it this way: This is a beautifully written book. It is the portrait of the Soames family who live in rural Missouri. It follows their lives during the first half of the 20th century. The Soames family is composed of Matthew and Callie and their four daughters. There are 6 parts to the book and each part is given from the perspective of each family member. Almost like 6 intertwining short stories that span the family's lifetime.