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japple

(10,459 posts)
24. Over the Plain Houses by Julia Franks. I just added it to my Best of
Sun Apr 7, 2019, 06:11 PM
Apr 2019

2019 list. It is one of the most satisfying books I have ever read, probably because the setting (Western North Carolina) is so near and dear to my heart.

Here's a review (the best one I've read of this book): http://southernlitreview.com/?s=Julia+Franks

Reminds me a bit of the writing of Charles Frazier, esp. as regards place, nature, human connections.

I copied this review from amazon as it best encapsulates my own opinion of this book"

It becomes clear that Irenie needs to save herself and her son from an emotionally and physically abusive relationship. A representative from the USDA offers a solution, first for her son, and soon for Irenie as well. Brodis, her husband, farmer and fundamentalist preacher, looks askance at any kind of assistance from the government outsiders and comes to see the intervention as part of a diabolical plot… quite literally.

Set in the Appalachians of western North Carolina in the late 1930s, the author creates a wonderful sense of place and of history. This was a time when the virgin forests were still being violently scraped off the mountainsides, and farmers were encouraged to turn their fields over to a crop they could not eat-- tobacco. A way of life families had followed for generations was suddenly upended. The reader is immersed in the world of the novel-- the description of the tortured hills and mountain peaks is exquisite, revealing an insider's knowledge of the local nature and a deep appreciation for the domestic tradition and farm life of that time.

The conclusion of the novel takes on a scale of rather Biblical proportions with at least a couple horses of the apocalypse making a cameo. A strong story with strong characters, this novel by a debut novelist will not disappoint.


Thank you for the weekly thread, hermetic. Kitten season is upon us and way too busy. Too many pregnant mamas and too many orphans. Happy reading to everyone.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

"The Winter King" by Berrnard Cornwell dameatball Apr 2019 #1
Ah, that King hermetic Apr 2019 #3
Cornwell: "Of all the books I have written,these are my favourites." dameatball Apr 2019 #6
I've read the Saxon stories by him, murielm99 Apr 2019 #12
Our Mutual Friend (Charles Dickens) - listening to it during daily walks 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 2019 #2
Good way hermetic Apr 2019 #5
Thanks! I read it years ago but have forgotten a lot. 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 2019 #18
"The Shadow Rising" book 4 of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. TexasProgresive Apr 2019 #4
Just got on the waiting list hermetic Apr 2019 #7
I hope that works okay. The Stone Sky is the final of the trilogy. TexasProgresive Apr 2019 #34
Hey thanks! hermetic Apr 2019 #35
Signed up for Open Library the other day happybird Apr 2019 #8
Truly hermetic Apr 2019 #10
I am over the moon about it happybird Apr 2019 #19
Just starting to listen to MuseRider Apr 2019 #9
Michael McDowell"s? hermetic Apr 2019 #13
Yes. MuseRider Apr 2019 #20
I've read that Rankin book. murielm99 Apr 2019 #11
Cool hermetic Apr 2019 #15
I am reading Book 7 of the Cork O'Connor series, murielm99 Apr 2019 #14
Nice! hermetic Apr 2019 #16
tRump's Tweets... PeeJ52 Apr 2019 #17
Oh, you are bad! murielm99 Apr 2019 #22
On a mystery binge unc70 Apr 2019 #21
Venice! hermetic Apr 2019 #23
Over the Plain Houses by Julia Franks. I just added it to my Best of japple Apr 2019 #24
Nice review hermetic Apr 2019 #29
"Singing in the shrouds" by Ngaio Marsh The King of Prussia Apr 2019 #25
Wow. That's an oldie hermetic Apr 2019 #30
Yes it did The King of Prussia Apr 2019 #36
"True-ish Crime" second in a series yellowdogintexas Apr 2019 #26
These sound fun hermetic Apr 2019 #31
The Witch Elm by Tana French. Just finished and really liked it. Cousin Dupree Apr 2019 #27
Yes, hermetic Apr 2019 #32
"Rise" by Anna Carey backtoblue Apr 2019 #28
Oh, interesting... hermetic Apr 2019 #33
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