Books matching: southern appalachia setting
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- #1
Save:The Old Gods Waken by Manly Wade Wellman is the first of the five novels in the Silver John series. The book follows John, a wandering folk singer and guitar player with silver strings, as he visits Luke Forshay and gets involved in a mysterious situation with new neighbors, the Voths, who are trying to claim land that doesn't belong to them. The story is a mix of fantasy and horror, filled with mountain dialect, folklore, and mystical elements. John, along with his friend Holly Christopher and Cherokee medicine man Chief Reuben Manco, must use their powers to overcome the evil plans of the Old World druids, the Voths, who seek to awaken pre-Indian spirits on Wolter Mountain.
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Silver John ) - #2
Save:"Prodigal Summer" by Barbara Kingsolver is a beautifully written novel that intertwines the lives of different women, each connected in subtle ways, much like the ecosystems they are part of. The book combines themes of ecology, romance, and nature seamlessly, with each character having a unique voice and depth. Kingsolver's storytelling weaves together three seemingly disparate stories, focusing on strong female characters and the interconnectedness of nature and human relationships.
Her body moved with the frankness that comes from solitary habits. But solitude is only a human presumption. Every quiet step is thunder to beetle life underfoot; every choice is a world made new for ... - #3The Book Woman of Troublesome CreekBook 1 in the series:The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
Save:In 1936, deep in the woods of eastern Kentucky, lives Cussy Carter, a 19-year-old member of the historical Pack Horse Library Project, who is also known as a Blue due to her blue skin. The book follows Cussy's journey as she delivers books to the impoverished hill people of Eastern Kentucky, facing prejudices and challenges along the way. The novel sheds light on race, poverty, and the love of literature, offering a unique perspective on what it means to be an outcast in society.
The story is told in the first person by Cussy, also known as Bluet, as she navigates through the challenges of being a pack horse librarian, dealing with poverty, hunger, and the coal mining industry in the mountains of Kentucky. The book delves into the historical context of the Pack Horse Librarians and the Blue People, intertwining their stories to create a compelling narrative that explores themes of prejudice, poverty, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Satisfied, Pa carried it out of our one-room log house and onto the hand-hewn porch. He was hopeful. Hoping 1936 was the year his only daughter, nineteen-year-old Cussy Mary Carter, would get herself ... 'The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake' is a collection of short stories that delve into the dark corners of West Virginia, exploring themes of life, death, and the human condition. Through his spare and unblinking prose, Breece D'J Pancake paints a vivid picture of rural Appalachia, capturing the struggles and complexities of his characters with raw authenticity. The stories vary in subject matter, from encounters with old loves to reflections on war and mortality, leaving a lasting impression on readers long after they have finished the book.
I think you should come over (drive or train, I’ll pay your expenses and “put you up”) because if you do the preface I feel you should be more familiar with this valley and [my son] Breece’s surroundi...- #5
Save:'A Swollen Red Sun' by Matthew McBride is a gritty Southern noir tale set in Gasconade County, MO, the meth capital of the world. The story revolves around desperate characters entangled in a world of meth production, crooked cops, and fringe religious cults. The plot is filled with violent scenes, detailed descriptions, and a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged until the end. McBride's writing style is described as vivid, dark, and overwhelming, with an excellent sense of place and well-paced storytelling, despite some instances of tasteless accusations and tangents into extreme horror.
The sun went down behind the mobile home like a burst of egg yolk that dripped from the sky and consumed the trees. Sycamores on the river cast long shadows in the burnt auburn hue, and golden shafts ... - #6
Save:Following a devastating flood that devastated a small Alabama town, a mysterious woman emerges from the swollen river water with the ability to transform into an amphibian creature. She marries into the wealthy Caskey family, becoming the matriarch of the eccentric family, and sets off a haunting saga that spans fifty years. The book is a southern gothic horror serial that intricately weaves together family dynamics, supernatural elements, and suspenseful storytelling, drawing readers into a captivating tale of intrigue and mystery.
Michael McDowell's writing style in "The Flood" is described as precise, elegant, and evocative, with a touch of southern gothic flair that adds a Lovecraftian flavor to the narrative. The characters are deep, engaging, and multi-dimensional, avoiding typical one-dimensional stereotypes often found in popular fiction, while the setting of Alabama serves as a compelling backdrop that enhances the eerie atmosphere of the story.
The Zion Grace Baptist Church was situated on the Old Federal Road about a mile and a half outside Perdido. Its congregation was Hard-Shell, so the church was about the most uncomfortable sort of stru... - #7
Save:"Moon Lake" by Joe R. Lansdale is a gripping mystery novel set in the fictional town of Long Lincoln in the late '60s. The story follows Daniel Russell, who returns to his childhood hometown to investigate his father's suicide and his mother's disappearance. As Daniel delves into the secrets buried within Moon Lake, he uncovers links between his own family history and a series of ritualistic murders, disrupting the entire community. Lansdale expertly weaves together elements of investigative thriller and gothic suspense, while addressing social and cultural issues of the era. The writing style is described as atmospheric, with quirky characters and taut dialogue that immerses the reader in the dark and mysterious world of East Texas.
My first memory of Moon Lake was as a youngster, on a dark night in October of 1968 with a nearly full moon seeming to float on the surface of the water. I remember its glow and the way the shadows of... - #8
Save:In "Winter's Bone" by Daniel Woodrell, the story follows Ree Dolly, a strong 17-year-old girl from the Ozarks, who takes on the responsibility of caring for her family when her parents fail. Her father has skipped bail, leaving the family at risk of losing their home. Ree sets out to find him, dead or alive, delving into the harsh poverty and dangerous world of the Ozarks. The novel portrays a stark and gritty existence, filled with violence, poverty, and a code of silence that dominates the community. Woodrell's writing is intense and powerful, painting a vivid picture of Ree's struggle for survival and the complex characters she encounters.
The book is a raw and tragic coming-of-age story set in a world that is both familiar and brutal, where Ree must navigate through backwoods crime and betrayal to protect her family. Woodrell's storytelling captures the harsh realities of life in the Ozarks, with lyrical descriptions of the landscape and characters that feel real and complex. The novel unfolds with a compelling plot, driven by a strong female protagonist facing challenges that test her resilience and strength in a world where family bonds are paramount.
REE DOLLY stood at break of day on her cold front steps and smelled coming flurries and saw meat. Meat hung from trees across the creek. The carcasses hung pale of flesh with a fatty gleam from low li... - #9
Save:Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy is a dark and haunting tale set in rural Appalachia, following the story of a brother, Culla, and his sister, Rinthy. The plot revolves around the disturbing events of incest, abandonment, and the search for a lost baby. Throughout their journeys, the siblings encounter various characters, both kind and cruel, as they navigate a bleak and unforgiving world. The writing style of McCarthy is described as beautifully expressive, with haunting prose that effectively captures the brutality and beauty of the characters and their surroundings.
She shook him awake from dark to dark, delivered out of the clamorous rabble under a black sun and into a night more dolorous, sitting upright and cursing beneath his breath in the bed he shared with ...
