Book Review: Bensy and Me

By Farris Yawn

Growing up in the south, particularly the rural south, one often has a deep appreciation for the simple things in life such as time spent with friends and family, neighbors who look out for each other and help when needed, or dogs and cats underfoot when sitting down to dinner with loved ones.

Songs like Lynyrd Skynyrds Simple Man and John Mellencamps Small Town extoll the virtues of a small-town way of life. The popularity of these songs also indicates that this feeling, or the desire for it, is actually quite universal.

Bensy and Me, by Kathi Harper Hill, is the story of a simple man living a sometimes not-so-simple life with love, humor, and a sincere thankfulness for his blessings.

Charles I hate being called Charlie and Bensy grew up playing in the creek that separated their grandmothers homes. They married right out of high school and soon had two children, a boy and girl. However, their lives were turned upside down when they found out they were having quadruplets!

Charles and Bensy adapt to their suddenly large family with the help of some colorful family members (Uncle Wend requires his own dictionary!), neighbors, and friends as well as the kindness of several strangers.

Written in Kathi Harper Hills signature southern Appalachian style, Charles character sounds authentically charming. While he is very much a good ol southern boy in the best sense, his story could easily take place anywhere on earth. Readers will enjoy spending a little time with these characters.

For more information about Bensy and Me, or any of Kathis six other books, please visit her blog at Kathi-Harper-Hill.blogspot.com.