The Devil's Dream

Lee Smith

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cultural tensions between music and religion

southern appalachian culture

historical fiction family saga

multigenerational narrative

characters' evolving relationships

transformation of family over time

complex characters and cultural nuances

confusion from multiple narrators

richly portrayed women characters

conflict between love for music and devotion to god

decades of appalachian history

simple and complex language style

varying pacing and character arcs

vignettes showcasing personal stories

'The Devil's Dream' by Lee Smith is a novel that delves into the history of country music and its intersection with religion, focusing on the Bailey family from Grassy Springs, Virginia. Starting in 1833, the story follows the family's struggle between their love for music and their devotion to God. Through multiple generations, the narrative explores the evolving relationships between traditional music, faith, and societal changes in the Appalachian region. The book is narrated through different characters, predominantly women, who provide vignettes showcasing the transformation of the family over time. Smith's writing style captures the complexities of the characters and the cultural nuances of Southern Appalachia.

Characters:

Characters are richly portrayed yet can be confusing due to frequent narrators and similar names.

Writing/Prose:

The author employs a mix of simple and complex language, creating engaging narratives that invite readers into the characters' lives.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative unfolds through generations with a central conflict between music and religion, exploring different family members' perspectives.

Setting:

The setting is rooted in Southern Appalachian culture, tracing its development across decades.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, sometimes leaving readers wanting more from character arcs.

“Combining an unmistakable voice with an infallible sense of story . . . she writes lyric, luminous prose; her craft is so strong it becomes transparent, and, like the best of storytellers, she knows ...

Notes:

The book follows the Bailey family through multiple generations starting in 1833.

Moses Bailey marries Kate Malone, creating a clash between religious and musical lifestyles.

Characters' stories often reflect a conflict between church and fiddle music.

The novel has a multi-generational narrative style, exploring themes of music and religion in Appalachia.

Most narrators are women, while male characters are often extreme in nature.

Characters' voices evolve; earlier narrators use simpler language compared to later, more educated ones.

A family tree at the front and back helps readers keep track of the many characters.

The stories about the characters can be disjointed, leading to confusion about their connections.

The novel includes original mountain ballads and music related to the characters' stories.

It is a tribute to country music and acknowledges the influence of the Carter family.

Readers with a background in Southern culture often resonate with the language and setting.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book may contain themes related to religious conflict and family tensions.

From The Publisher:

Despite the warnings of religious zealot Moses Bailey, Kate Bailey and her children use their musical talents to experience joy and heartbreak over the years, culminating in a final gathering at the Opryland Hotel.

What can you read after
The Devil's Dream?

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