Into the Heart of Appalachia
As I continue to revise my latest novel for publication, I’ll join three other historical fiction authors in a Zoom discussion, “Women Breaking the Rules: Heroines in Historical Fiction,” on the afternoon of September 17th. I’ll talk about my protagonist, Lucia—how I came to write about her, why she took risks, and more. If you ask in the comment section, I’ll send you information about how to sign up to watch the discussion.
Now, on to this month’s book review:
Who could have imagined that a Depression-era project encouraged by Eleanor Roosevelt to promote literacy could find its way into Giver of Stars, by Jojo Moyes, an exciting and moving novel focused on a group of women who deliver library books in rural Kentucky?
Brief Summary (no spoilers):
The women of the Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky not only bring books to an isolated population, but they themselves also benefit from their work, receiving salaries, becoming close friends with their coworkers, and gaining self-confidence and independence unusual for women in their era and place.
As the novel unfolds, even this well-intentioned, successful project finds enemies opposed to a more literate community, which endangers the librarians and creates the central conflict of this story.
Characters:
This novel includes so many I can only mention a few, but the author paints each character in a memorable way.
- Alice Van Cleve– young English woman, the protagonist, who escapes her culture’s constraints only to struggle with the realities of life as a newlywed in rural Kentucky
- Geoffrey Van Cleve – owner of local coal mines who dominates the individuals and town within his reach
- Bennett Van Cleve – Alice’s husband, lives under the shadow of his powerful father
- Margery O’Hare – fiercely independent, freethinking head of the Packhorse Librarians
- Fred Guisler– horse dealer, kind supporter of the Packhorse Librarians
- Sophia Kenworth– Black woman who assists the librarians with record-keeping and common sense
- Kathleen Bligh – Unassuming backwoods widow and mother of young children, she joins the Packhorse Librarians and aids them in an unexpected way
- Verna McCullough – a young woman isolated for years in her family’s home on a remote ridge, she plays a key role in the resolution of the story
- Sven Gustavsson– Fireman in the coal mines, he’s sympathetic to Alice and the Packhorse Librarians
Strengths:
A compelling read with complex, interesting characters, and a plot with many twists
Weakness:
I’m not in a position to judge this because I’ve read Giver of Stars and not The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, but questions have been raised about similarities between the two novels. Both deal with the Pack Horse Library Project of Kentucky, and Book Woman came out slightly earlier. If you’ve read both, I’d like to hear from you.
Content Review:
This novel contains descriptions of violence; multiple scenes focus on issues related to sexual intimacy, and discerning readers will find hints of the topic of incest.
My Recommendation:
If you enjoy deep immersion into an unfamiliar, yet American, culture, and can plow through its rough aspects, Giver of Stars will reward you with vivid, complex characters, and a strong plot. I found this novel both a difficult and yet a satisfying read.
Reader, can you share any knowledge about life in Appalachia?