Corrine and Me
An Unlikely Friendship
Betty Ann Hoehn

January 17, 2011
Author House / ISBN: 1452060894
Non-fiction / Memoir / Friendships
Amazon

Reviewed by Nicole Merritt

I thoroughly enjoyed Corrine and Me. It brought back so many memories of growing up in the fifties. If you, too, grew up in the fifties you will relate to this story. It is told by the daughter of a wealthy auto dealership father and philanthropist mother who gave their children a privileged childhood. They lived the life of the wealthy in the south complete with domestics, including a chauffeur. The relationship that Betty Ann developed over the years with her mother's housemaid and nanny spanned a generation. If you loved The Help, you will love this one also.

Betty Ann tells stories of riding in the back of the bus with Corinne at a time when blacks weren't allowed to stand in the same lines as whites in the south, yet she went to an all black church with her on Sundays. She talks about the people in her family with "funny breath", something you did not speak about in public. And, her stories of college life in the northeast during the 70's was reminiscent of a time in the nation when youth were transitioning from the fifties lifestyle they had led at home.

I don't think this book has the depth for a movie, but it certainly is a heart-warming read.