Into the Heart of Appalachia

Into the Heart of Appalachia

by | Sep 7, 2023 | Appalachia, Book review, Historical novels, Women's Struggles

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?

The Giver of Stars, by Jojo Moyes, cover image

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?

It’s 1865: What’s a Woman to Do?

It’s 1865: What’s a Woman to Do?

by | Oct 8, 2022 | Book review, Historical novels, Medical History, U.S. Civil War, Women's Struggles

Suppose you nurtured a passion for your future and studied for years to prepare for it, only to have your father veto your choice!

What would you do?

In 1865, Vita, the teen daughter of a Massachusetts physician, dreams of following in her father’s footsteps, but he adamantly opposes her plan because of her gender.

The Physician’s Daughter, by Martha Conway, skillfully navigates this drama and the creative ways Vita pursues her ambition in an era when women have limited control over their destinies.

The Physician's Daughter, by Martha Conway, cover image

After Vita learns of women who have succeeded in becoming physicians, she devotes herself to joining their ranks.

In addition to external challenges, she confronts self-doubt as she realizes her ability to memorize medical facts is only one element in the skillset of a successful physician.

Vita must also deal with her family’s expectations that she will marry and settle into a traditional lifestyle. Her plan to marry but still pursue a career in medicine runs into problems, and the story reveals how she deals with them.

Characters:

  • Vita, the protagonist – elicits my sympathy for her plight and her smarts, even if her emotional intelligence develops slowly.
  • Jacob – a damaged veteran of the Civil War, he’s an interesting blend of old-fashioned and modern ideas (for his era), which makes him a challenge for Vita to understand.
  • Mitty – Vita’s mother, wife of Dar – I sympathized with her position in life, but I found her lacking as a support for Vita’s aspirations
  • Dar/ Dr. Tenney – Vita’s father, an old-school physician, dubious of women’s capabilities, he’s deeply affected by his son’s death near the end of the Civil War. When Vita brings up her desire to attend medical school, he responds with, “You think you can replace your brother? You hope to profit from our loss, like a turkey vulture? No one can take the place of my son.”
  • Freddy – Vita’s beloved brother, he dies at the end of the Civil War
  • Amelia – Vita’s younger sister, she’s very traditional and doesn’t support Vita’s dreams.

Strengths:

The Physician’s Daughter is an engaging portrait of life and women’s struggles in the Civil War era.

Weakness:

The portrayal of Dr. Tenney, Vita’s father, showed no sympathy for Vita; even before his son’s death, he never showed humanity or love toward Vita.

Content review:

The Physician’s Daughter includes descriptions of war wounds and intimacy within marriage.

If you enjoy reading about the Civil War era and how women in bygone times have struggled to overcome discrimination, this novel will inspire and appeal to you.

Reader, what novels about women have inspired you?