The New York Times bestselling author of The Last Girls presents one of her most compelling novels, acclaimed by Anne Tyler, Annie Dillard, and more... Everywhere about her, from the traffic on Highway 460 to the river that's gone black with coal dust, Crystal Spangler sees a current flowing from the mountain town of Black Rock into the wider world. As a teenager, she is elected beauty queen, gets good grades, and-despite her many enviable qualities-manages also to be well-loved. Everyone knows that she is destined to leave town and do great things.And she does.But no one expects her return; ... View More...
" She writes lyric, luminous prose; her craft is so strong it becomes transparent, and, like the best of storytellers, she knows how to get out of the way so that the story can tell itself." SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLEMoses Bailey, a preacher's son, forbade his fiddle-loving wife Kate Malone to play. But while he was gone on his travels, looking for God, Kate couldn't help herself, and began fiddling for her three children. For the love of music, Kate is willing to defy anyone who tries to stop her. From generation to generation, the gift and love of music cannot be stopped, and no Malon... View More...
" She writes lyric, luminous prose; her craft is so strong it becomes transparent, and, like the best of storytellers, she knows how to get out of the way so that the story can tell itself." SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLEMoses Bailey, a preacher's son, forbade his fiddle-loving wife Kate Malone to play. But while he was gone on his travels, looking for God, Kate couldn't help herself, and began fiddling for her three children. For the love of music, Kate is willing to defy anyone who tries to stop her. From generation to generation, the gift and love of music cannot be stopped, and no Malon... View More...
Ivy Rowe, Virginia mountain girl, then wife, mother, and finally Mawmaw, never strays far from her home-but the letters she writes take her across the country and over the ocean. Writing to hold onto what's passing, she tells stories that are rich with the life of Appalachia in words that are colloquial, often misspelled, but always beautiful. From childhood, when teachers encouraged her gift for language, to her rebellious teenage years when she swore against motherhood-only to then become a mother-and on through life, Ivy writes with insight, honesty, and a passion for living that is sure t... View More...
Ivy Rowe, Virginia mountain girl, then wife, mother, and finally Mawmaw, never strays far from her home-but the letters she writes take her across the country and over the ocean. Writing to hold onto what's passing, she tells stories that are rich with the life of Appalachia in words that are colloquial, often misspelled, but always beautiful. From childhood, when teachers encouraged her gift for language, to her rebellious teenage years when she swore against motherhood-only to then become a mother-and on through life, Ivy writes with insight, honesty, and a passion for living that is sure t... View More...
Ivy Rowe, Virginia mountain girl, then wife, mother, and finally Mawmaw, never strays far from her home-but the letters she writes take her across the country and over the ocean. Writing to hold onto what's passing, she tells stories that are rich with the life of Appalachia in words that are colloquial, often misspelled, but always beautiful. From childhood, when teachers encouraged her gift for language, to her rebellious teenage years when she swore against motherhood-only to then become a mother-and on through life, Ivy writes with insight, honesty, and a passion for living that is sure t... View More...
Ivy Rowe, Virginia mountain girl, then wife, mother, and finally Mawmaw, never strays far from her home-but the letters she writes take her across the country and over the ocean. Writing to hold onto what's passing, she tells stories that are rich with the life of Appalachia in words that are colloquial, often misspelled, but always beautiful. From childhood, when teachers encouraged her gift for language, to her rebellious teenage years when she swore against motherhood-only to then become a mother-and on through life, Ivy writes with insight, honesty, and a passion for living that is sure t... View More...
Ivy Rowe, Virginia mountain girl, then wife, mother, and finally Mawmaw, never strays far from her home-but the letters she writes take her across the country and over the ocean. Writing to hold onto what's passing, she tells stories that are rich with the life of Appalachia in words that are colloquial, often misspelled, but always beautiful. From childhood, when teachers encouraged her gift for language, to her rebellious teenage years when she swore against motherhood-only to then become a mother-and on through life, Ivy writes with insight, honesty, and a passion for living that is sure t... View More...
Ivy Rowe, Virginia mountain girl, then wife, mother, and finally Mawmaw, never strays far from her home-but the letters she writes take her across the country and over the ocean. Writing to hold onto what's passing, she tells stories that are rich with the life of Appalachia in words that are colloquial, often misspelled, but always beautiful. From childhood, when teachers encouraged her gift for language, to her rebellious teenage years when she swore against motherhood-only to then become a mother-and on through life, Ivy writes with insight, honesty, and a passion for living that is sure t... View More...
"A TOUR DE FORCE"- "Los Angeles Times ""The story of Ivy Rowe, born near the turn of the century in the Virginia Mountain enclave of Sugar Fork, is told completely through letters that Ivy is forever writing family and friends...Lee Smith exhibits her own understanding and affection for the traditions of the Appalachians. She is at home with the down-home speech and ways of her characters. They come vividly to life, and none more so than Ivy, whose voice and heart and humor sustain "Fair and Tender Ladies.""- "Philadelphia Inquirer ""Because of Ivy's narrative ability and her zest for living, ... View More...
"A TOUR DE FORCE"- "Los Angeles Times ""The story of Ivy Rowe, born near the turn of the century in the Virginia Mountain enclave of Sugar Fork, is told completely through letters that Ivy is forever writing family and friends...Lee Smith exhibits her own understanding and affection for the traditions of the Appalachians. She is at home with the down-home speech and ways of her characters. They come vividly to life, and none more so than Ivy, whose voice and heart and humor sustain "Fair and Tender Ladies.""- "Philadelphia Inquirer ""Because of Ivy's narrative ability and her zest for living, ... View More...
"A TOUR DE FORCE"- "Los Angeles Times ""The story of Ivy Rowe, born near the turn of the century in the Virginia Mountain enclave of Sugar Fork, is told completely through letters that Ivy is forever writing family and friends...Lee Smith exhibits her own understanding and affection for the traditions of the Appalachians. She is at home with the down-home speech and ways of her characters. They come vividly to life, and none more so than Ivy, whose voice and heart and humor sustain "Fair and Tender Ladies.""- "Philadelphia Inquirer ""Because of Ivy's narrative ability and her zest for living, ... View More...
"A TOUR DE FORCE"- "Los Angeles Times ""The story of Ivy Rowe, born near the turn of the century in the Virginia Mountain enclave of Sugar Fork, is told completely through letters that Ivy is forever writing family and friends...Lee Smith exhibits her own understanding and affection for the traditions of the Appalachians. She is at home with the down-home speech and ways of her characters. They come vividly to life, and none more so than Ivy, whose voice and heart and humor sustain "Fair and Tender Ladies.""- "Philadelphia Inquirer ""Because of Ivy's narrative ability and her zest for living, ... View More...
When Sybill Hess drives over to the hypnotist's office, she hopes he can cure her of the headaches interrupting her sleep the way her friend Betty once saw a woman on TV cure a woman's stammer. But what Dr. Diamond uncovers from Sybill's subconscious goes much deeper than her nervousness over a new tenant who seems to want a date. A shocking memory from Sybill's past threatens to upend everything she thinks she knows about herself and her family. But is it even real?
"Brilliant, haunting, dark, joyous, remarkably compelling...immensely difficult to put down...a master storyteller." THE VILLAGE VOICE A childhood memory re-experienced, a funeral that brings about a family reunion, and the excavation of a swimming pool on the site of an old well, uncover family secrets and air the dirty linen in this behind-the-scenes look at life and family, memory and forgetfulness, anger and forgiveness in a small Southern town. "Falls in line with the best of classical Southern fiction...but Ms. Smith's vision is her own and places her among the best of con... View More...
"Brilliant, haunting, dark, joyous, remarkably compelling...immensely difficult to put down...a master storyteller." THE VILLAGE VOICE A childhood memory re-experienced, a funeral that brings about a family reunion, and the excavation of a swimming pool on the site of an old well, uncover family secrets and air the dirty linen in this behind-the-scenes look at life and family, memory and forgetfulness, anger and forgiveness in a small Southern town. "Falls in line with the best of classical Southern fiction...but Ms. Smith's vision is her own and places her among the best of con... View More...
" Lee Smith] re-creates a vanished way of life with stunning authenticity."--The Philadelphia Inquirer Speed, Alabama, is frantically preparing for the event of a lifetime: Sesquicentennial Week. And all her proud citizens are kicking up their heels in a lively, pompous fancy strut. . . . Praise for Fancy Strut "Smith offers ripe entertainment."--People " She] brings the storytelling gift off the porch swing and onto the printed page with an often breathtaking vitality. . . . A writer of rare talent."--Publishers Weekly "A spellbinding storyteller."--Newsday " Smith] has the gift of a McCuller... View More...
