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Trampoline: An Illustrated Novel

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'Trampoline: An Illustrated Novel' by Robert Gipe is a poignant and innovative story set in Appalachia, focusing on the life of Dawn Jewell, a flawed but endearing young girl dealing with addiction, poverty, and family struggles. The book captures the essence of life in Appalachia with themes of resilience, courage, and dark humor, showcasing a cast of flawed yet beautiful characters. The writing style is described as insightful, realistic, and hard to put down, providing a look inside the life in eastern Kentucky with vivid descriptions and authentic dialect.

Characters:

The characters are multifaceted, displaying flaws and depth, with an emphasis on their struggles against a difficult backdrop.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is authentic, characterized by a unique dialect, and includes illustrations that enhance the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot delves into themes of poverty, addiction, and resilience through the life of Dawn Jewell in Appalachia.

Setting:

The setting is grounded in Appalachian Kentucky, highlighting the cultural and environmental issues of the area.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally engaging, though occasional shifts in perspective can be slightly jarring.

Notes:

The book is set in Appalachia, specifically Kentucky, and dives into the lives of its inhabitants.
It addresses serious themes like generational poverty and drug addiction.
The main character, Dawn Jewell, is a relatable and flawed teenager with a strong voice.
Readers have noted the book's authenticity in portraying Appalachian life and culture.
The book includes charming illustrations that enhance the storytelling.
Dawn's experiences reflect struggles similar to those seen in real-life Appalachians.
The narrative spans a confusing time period, blending contemporary issues with elements from the past.
Critics have compared Dawn Jewell to other strong female characters in Appalachian literature.
The writing is praised for its lyrical quality, often likened to poetry or songs.
The author, Robert Gipe, is recognized for his immersive storytelling and rich character development.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of addiction, poverty, and familial dysfunction, with depictions of drug and alcohol use.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in the story, primarily depicted through the relationship between Dawn and her friend.

From The Publisher:

Dawn Jewell is fifteen. She is restless, curious, and wry. She listens to Black Flag, speaks her mind, and joins her grandmother's fight against mountaintop removal mining almost in spite of herself. "I write by ear," says Robert Gipe, and Dawn's voice is the essence of his debut novel, Trampoline. She lives in eastern Kentucky with her addict mother and her Mamaw, whose stance against the coal companies has earned her the community's ire. Jagged and honest, Trampoline is a powerful portrait of a place struggling with the economic and social forces that threaten and define it. Inspired by oral tradition and punctuated by Gipe's raw and whimsical drawings, it is above all about its heroine, Dawn, as she decides whether to save a mountain or save herself; be ruled by love or ruled by anger; remain in the land of her birth or run for her life.

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