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She-Rain: A Story of Hope
She-Rain sweeps across nearly a century, telling an unforgettable story with beauty, humor, and a devotion to the boundless power of love.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2010
About the author
Michael Cogdill
2 books52 followersMichael Cogdill is blessed as one of the most honored television storytellers in America. His cache of awards includes 32 Emmys and the National Edward R. Murrow for a broad range of achievement, from live reporting to long-form storytelling. His work proves the power a message can hold when it reaches the human heart. Michael’s television credits as a writer/performer include CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, and The Today Show. His interview credits are about as varied as you can get: President Barack Obama, The Reverend Billy Graham, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Henry Kissinger, Abby Hoffman, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator John McCain, Howard K. Smith, James Brown, and countless eminent members of Congress along with other key news makers around the country. His coverage credits include Presidents and Vice Presidents of the United States and major figures in entertainment.
Okay, that's the publicist-driven carrying on about television, and I hope we can be friends anyway, all you lovers of great books. I'm a writer working across genres that include children’s literature, the Southern novel, and self-improvement non-fiction. My latest completed work, a novel entitled She-Rain, is currently in development as a feature film by a company I co-founded. My partners and I believe the world of book to film ought to change, radically, and we're bringing that change. Another piece of fiction is in my kettle, too: The Sinners of Honeysuckle Road. As a southern man, I love to write about southern women. I was raised by strong, graceful women. The proof is in She-Rain.
Oh, of course I'm a blogger, too. If you dare:
http://michaelcogdill.wordpress.com/
I was born a fairly poor and relatively redneck child in Asheville, North Carolina, June 11, 1961 -- the son of a truck driver and a mill worker. I'm extremely proud of my working-people roots, drawing on their deep wisdom and life lessons in my reporting, writing and public speaking. I'm also, thanks to my parents' devotion to higher education, a cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a degree in communications, emphasis on the liberal arts.
My news children’s book Where Did Joe Go launches in early 2023. Illustrations by former child prodigy, George Pocheptsov.
I used to anchor the 6:00 and 11:00 news weeknights on WYFF News 4, NBC in the western Carolinas and Georgia. Having left that very rewarding television career, I’m now founder and CEO of HeartStrong Media with my business partner, Rachel Allgood. Book launches and so much more in store very soon!!
Okay, that's the publicist-driven carrying on about television, and I hope we can be friends anyway, all you lovers of great books. I'm a writer working across genres that include children’s literature, the Southern novel, and self-improvement non-fiction. My latest completed work, a novel entitled She-Rain, is currently in development as a feature film by a company I co-founded. My partners and I believe the world of book to film ought to change, radically, and we're bringing that change. Another piece of fiction is in my kettle, too: The Sinners of Honeysuckle Road. As a southern man, I love to write about southern women. I was raised by strong, graceful women. The proof is in She-Rain.
Oh, of course I'm a blogger, too. If you dare:
http://michaelcogdill.wordpress.com/
I was born a fairly poor and relatively redneck child in Asheville, North Carolina, June 11, 1961 -- the son of a truck driver and a mill worker. I'm extremely proud of my working-people roots, drawing on their deep wisdom and life lessons in my reporting, writing and public speaking. I'm also, thanks to my parents' devotion to higher education, a cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a degree in communications, emphasis on the liberal arts.
My news children’s book Where Did Joe Go launches in early 2023. Illustrations by former child prodigy, George Pocheptsov.
I used to anchor the 6:00 and 11:00 news weeknights on WYFF News 4, NBC in the western Carolinas and Georgia. Having left that very rewarding television career, I’m now founder and CEO of HeartStrong Media with my business partner, Rachel Allgood. Book launches and so much more in store very soon!!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 27, 2010
Frank Locke is the son of an opium addict in the 1920s in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. He's quit school to work in a cotton mill and take care of his parents' and grandparents' farms. He's bitter about his father, but he's found a good woman to love. Then some big family drama hits the fan and he discovers a world whose existence he'd never even dreamed of.
First of all, I received this from the publicist in exchange for my unbiased review. Also, I don't know Michael Cogdill, but he is one of my sort-of-local news anchors.
Now that that's out of the way, let me try to tell you how much I loved this book. Why are the five-star reviews always harder to write than the two-star reviews?
I'm a Blue Ridge mountain girl, so I'm a little predisposed to love books set at home anyway. But this was just gorgeous, both the writing and the story. It's not a book to rush through; it's a book to take your time over, savor, and wring every last bit of meaning out of. Here, this paragraph that explains both the title and very basic premise of the book will show you what I'm talking about.
"In the rise of crickets and peep frogs, Granny spread out her mountain mystic view of things again, and the whole wagon treated it as sacred for a moment. She'd often speak of how a little scrap of fog tears from a rain cloud. Floats on the waves of blue ridge as if a wisp off a bride. Granny and others called it she-rain, I suppose for its womanly drape, white as a wedding gown. Common legend, though Granny took the vision further. Said she-rain was like us all--little scraps torn off into the world, given to the wind, and meant to find a paradise. As she saw things, no human scrap of this life is made for the trash. Even the most ragged are fit to beautify somewhere. Fit for some quilting into the finery of creation."
And that's the hope. No matter your background, no matter what you've done, its never too late to redeem yourself. When one character finally redeems himself, I was truly almost in tears.
I feel like the synopsis does this book a little bit of a disservice. I was expecting a straight-up story of a love triangle. When Frank finally meets the second woman, the story took a turn that added unbelievable depth and richness. I won't say more.
One of the many layers of this novel is about Frank becoming more than just a semi-literate farm boy living a hard life. I am so glad that some of his best teachers were natives of his community. They showed him that just because you're illiterate in letters doesn't mean that you can't be literate in love and a life well-lived.
There are so many good, true messages in here that I just sat still, mulling them over for about fifteen minutes in the lobby where I finished it. That's a huge deal because I usually finish one book and immediately reach for the next. Considering that I finished the book in goosebumps, reading through a haze of tears, I obviously had a lot to think about. One of the biggest messages was about helping each other. The author shows that we should never be afraid to ask for help when we need it, and we should always be willing to accept help when it's offered. We should also be on the lookout for people that we can help. How much better would this world be if we just looked out for opportunities to help each other, no matter how small? Whether it's money, a meal, an ear to listen, or even just a hug on a hard day, everyone has something to offer. I'm left wondering if Cogdill chose his publisher on purpose because they donate a portion of their proceeds to Habitat for Humanity.
The speech is written in our mountain accent, and the author did an amazing job pulling that off. Not an easy feat. It all flowed for me, but because that is truly the language of my heart, I can't say if it's hard for someone else to read.
Parts were emotionally difficult to read, but in a "story of hope," an author has to give their characters a reason to need hope. As you read through the darkness, keep in mind that there will ultimately be light.
I loved the simple faith that was a common thread throughout the book. The characters come from wildly different backgrounds, different Christian denominations, or maybe even no religion at all, but they all had an earnest faith in God. They had faith that if we have faith in each other, we'll help each other be all that we can.
I loved these characters. Sophia was a woman way, way ahead of her time. Mary L. has struggled through things I can't imagine and come out stronger and wiser on the other side. Preacher Lew is hilarious, blustery, and amazingly caring. Frank is open to all that anyone wants to show him. Granny may have been my very favorite though. Her time in the book is short, but her lessons are long and lasting. She reminds me of my own little Granny with her great big heart.
This is another book that I highly recommend. I have been on a roll with these lately, haven't I? Read this when you have the time to really think it over and let the important lessons sink in. You'll be so glad you did. Oh, and there's a giveaway for this going on through April 2, 2010 here on GoodReads. Go ahead and enter.
First of all, I received this from the publicist in exchange for my unbiased review. Also, I don't know Michael Cogdill, but he is one of my sort-of-local news anchors.
Now that that's out of the way, let me try to tell you how much I loved this book. Why are the five-star reviews always harder to write than the two-star reviews?
I'm a Blue Ridge mountain girl, so I'm a little predisposed to love books set at home anyway. But this was just gorgeous, both the writing and the story. It's not a book to rush through; it's a book to take your time over, savor, and wring every last bit of meaning out of. Here, this paragraph that explains both the title and very basic premise of the book will show you what I'm talking about.
"In the rise of crickets and peep frogs, Granny spread out her mountain mystic view of things again, and the whole wagon treated it as sacred for a moment. She'd often speak of how a little scrap of fog tears from a rain cloud. Floats on the waves of blue ridge as if a wisp off a bride. Granny and others called it she-rain, I suppose for its womanly drape, white as a wedding gown. Common legend, though Granny took the vision further. Said she-rain was like us all--little scraps torn off into the world, given to the wind, and meant to find a paradise. As she saw things, no human scrap of this life is made for the trash. Even the most ragged are fit to beautify somewhere. Fit for some quilting into the finery of creation."
And that's the hope. No matter your background, no matter what you've done, its never too late to redeem yourself. When one character finally redeems himself, I was truly almost in tears.
I feel like the synopsis does this book a little bit of a disservice. I was expecting a straight-up story of a love triangle. When Frank finally meets the second woman, the story took a turn that added unbelievable depth and richness. I won't say more.
One of the many layers of this novel is about Frank becoming more than just a semi-literate farm boy living a hard life. I am so glad that some of his best teachers were natives of his community. They showed him that just because you're illiterate in letters doesn't mean that you can't be literate in love and a life well-lived.
There are so many good, true messages in here that I just sat still, mulling them over for about fifteen minutes in the lobby where I finished it. That's a huge deal because I usually finish one book and immediately reach for the next. Considering that I finished the book in goosebumps, reading through a haze of tears, I obviously had a lot to think about. One of the biggest messages was about helping each other. The author shows that we should never be afraid to ask for help when we need it, and we should always be willing to accept help when it's offered. We should also be on the lookout for people that we can help. How much better would this world be if we just looked out for opportunities to help each other, no matter how small? Whether it's money, a meal, an ear to listen, or even just a hug on a hard day, everyone has something to offer. I'm left wondering if Cogdill chose his publisher on purpose because they donate a portion of their proceeds to Habitat for Humanity.
The speech is written in our mountain accent, and the author did an amazing job pulling that off. Not an easy feat. It all flowed for me, but because that is truly the language of my heart, I can't say if it's hard for someone else to read.
Parts were emotionally difficult to read, but in a "story of hope," an author has to give their characters a reason to need hope. As you read through the darkness, keep in mind that there will ultimately be light.
I loved the simple faith that was a common thread throughout the book. The characters come from wildly different backgrounds, different Christian denominations, or maybe even no religion at all, but they all had an earnest faith in God. They had faith that if we have faith in each other, we'll help each other be all that we can.
I loved these characters. Sophia was a woman way, way ahead of her time. Mary L. has struggled through things I can't imagine and come out stronger and wiser on the other side. Preacher Lew is hilarious, blustery, and amazingly caring. Frank is open to all that anyone wants to show him. Granny may have been my very favorite though. Her time in the book is short, but her lessons are long and lasting. She reminds me of my own little Granny with her great big heart.
This is another book that I highly recommend. I have been on a roll with these lately, haven't I? Read this when you have the time to really think it over and let the important lessons sink in. You'll be so glad you did. Oh, and there's a giveaway for this going on through April 2, 2010 here on GoodReads. Go ahead and enter.
March 4, 2010
I am really struggling to write this review, because everything I've tried putting down so far, seems so lame. There is no real way I can describe how beautifully written this book is. She-Rain was written with the most beautiful prose and has that rich Southern feel that makes this book amazing and one of the best, if not THE best story I've ever read.
Beautifully written, "She-Rain" captured my soul from the beginning. The story is about an abused boy, Frank Jr., who grew up in a mill town in the 1920's with an alcoholic and drug addicted father and a strong and hard working mother. The emotions are raw and real and cover all from anger, hatred, and rage, to love, hope and forgiveness. The characters are so very real, so real that I swear I've known some of them from my own childhood.
Although I finished this book a few days ago, I still am breathless by this most unforgettable novel. This is a book that I will be keeping in my permanent collection and will be read again and again. I honestly won't be surprised, if in years to come, it becomes a classic. It is truly a treasure that should not be missed. This is a must to add to this year's reading list.
March 16, 2010
While allowing the end of this book to settle with me I sat thinking of adjectives for this piece of work: beautiful, emotional, tragic, sensual, heartbreaking, uplifting, stunning, lyrical, lovely, lonely, solitary, epic. A book of words ten years in the making. An incredible story, physical in emotion, impressive in form, intimidating in skill. A true piece of beauty and a novel to last and thrive.
She-Rain is the story of Frankie Locke, Junior. Born in a small, poor mill-town in North Carolina in the 1920s, child of a drug-addicted abusive father, and a determined but tragic mother, Frankie holds little happiness for the world until it comes in the form of his first and deepest love, Mary Lizbeth. But his passion for Mary L. is cut short, and can't make him stay when running from home is the only way Frankie can save his mother. And so he leaves, hoping to land safe in Asheville, but finding himself in the arms of Sophia Proctor instead. Sophia, nurturing and graceful; the mysteriously adopted child, now woman, of the reclusive mill-owning Proctor family. Shunned by society for her skin-color, Sophia with her charm and wisdom, and sadness, has been living in the Proctor house secluded from society, alone and lonely until Frankie.
Born on the wings of fate, Frankie and Sophia find each other in a time of struggle, and together they weather the storm of life and the tragedies that come their way. Forbidden by society to stay together in love, separated by Frankie's past and Sophia's future, these two solitary hearts bond and their story is one of pain and sadness, but deeply of hope and the many types, shapes, and color of love.
A slow and sultry story, told in Southern language forcing you to read at a Southern pace, She-Rain is an incomparable narrative, deep and difficult in emotion and topic, tear-raising and truly amazing. It will pull at your heart, pull at your soul, and make you believe. Exposing economic, racial, and physical divides; encompassed in less than 350 pages with a lifetime of experience. Not for the faint of heart, but for the true reader, the lover of literature in search of something powerful.
5 stars
(I received this book from the publisher for review)
She-Rain is the story of Frankie Locke, Junior. Born in a small, poor mill-town in North Carolina in the 1920s, child of a drug-addicted abusive father, and a determined but tragic mother, Frankie holds little happiness for the world until it comes in the form of his first and deepest love, Mary Lizbeth. But his passion for Mary L. is cut short, and can't make him stay when running from home is the only way Frankie can save his mother. And so he leaves, hoping to land safe in Asheville, but finding himself in the arms of Sophia Proctor instead. Sophia, nurturing and graceful; the mysteriously adopted child, now woman, of the reclusive mill-owning Proctor family. Shunned by society for her skin-color, Sophia with her charm and wisdom, and sadness, has been living in the Proctor house secluded from society, alone and lonely until Frankie.
Born on the wings of fate, Frankie and Sophia find each other in a time of struggle, and together they weather the storm of life and the tragedies that come their way. Forbidden by society to stay together in love, separated by Frankie's past and Sophia's future, these two solitary hearts bond and their story is one of pain and sadness, but deeply of hope and the many types, shapes, and color of love.
A slow and sultry story, told in Southern language forcing you to read at a Southern pace, She-Rain is an incomparable narrative, deep and difficult in emotion and topic, tear-raising and truly amazing. It will pull at your heart, pull at your soul, and make you believe. Exposing economic, racial, and physical divides; encompassed in less than 350 pages with a lifetime of experience. Not for the faint of heart, but for the true reader, the lover of literature in search of something powerful.
5 stars
(I received this book from the publisher for review)
March 16, 2010
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com:]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally.)
As great as basement presses are (and I'm a big advocate of them, believe me), there is also a legitimate problem concerning most of them, an issue that critics of that industry are constantly raising and that I generally agree with, which is that most authors simply need more outside help on their novels than most small presses can afford to give; and I can think of no better recent example of this than She-Rain, the newest book by former journalist Michael Cogdill, noble in its intentions but in desperate need of a tough editor. See, Cogdill starts out simply enough, wishing to write a Southern Gothic tale about an abusive father and the damage he inflicts on the rest of his family; but unfortunately he then loads down his manuscript with so much heavy, syrupy regional dialect and rural cliches, it becomes by the end less a Southern Gothic tale and more like a parody of a Southern Gothic tale, with entire pages sometimes that sound more like that Simpsons episode about "A Streetcar Named Desire" than a legitimate piece of literature. A good editor could've fixed this before the book itself came out, could've gotten in there and really pared this manuscript back to its most necessary core; for this not to happen in this case is a real disservice to Cogdill himself, who I suspect would be a pretty decent prose writer if he'd simply rein in the endless phonetic dialogue and Faulkner ripoffs. As much as I always hate to do this to independent authors promoting small books, today I'm forced to give She-Rain an official pass, and not recommend it to a general audience.
Out of 10: 5.8
As great as basement presses are (and I'm a big advocate of them, believe me), there is also a legitimate problem concerning most of them, an issue that critics of that industry are constantly raising and that I generally agree with, which is that most authors simply need more outside help on their novels than most small presses can afford to give; and I can think of no better recent example of this than She-Rain, the newest book by former journalist Michael Cogdill, noble in its intentions but in desperate need of a tough editor. See, Cogdill starts out simply enough, wishing to write a Southern Gothic tale about an abusive father and the damage he inflicts on the rest of his family; but unfortunately he then loads down his manuscript with so much heavy, syrupy regional dialect and rural cliches, it becomes by the end less a Southern Gothic tale and more like a parody of a Southern Gothic tale, with entire pages sometimes that sound more like that Simpsons episode about "A Streetcar Named Desire" than a legitimate piece of literature. A good editor could've fixed this before the book itself came out, could've gotten in there and really pared this manuscript back to its most necessary core; for this not to happen in this case is a real disservice to Cogdill himself, who I suspect would be a pretty decent prose writer if he'd simply rein in the endless phonetic dialogue and Faulkner ripoffs. As much as I always hate to do this to independent authors promoting small books, today I'm forced to give She-Rain an official pass, and not recommend it to a general audience.
Out of 10: 5.8
July 5, 2012
She-Rain is a modern classic about the triumph of the human spirit over the hopelessness of poverty, violence, and prejudice, and it is bound to be a talked about in generations to come.
The author of She-Rain is renowned Journalist Michael Cogdill who describes his novel as semi autobiographical, and Michael Cogdill grew up in North Caroline. Michael Cogdill describes the feel of 1921 North Carolina in an aesthetically artistic way through his work. Throughout the novel it is clear Michael Cogdill knows the Appalachian Mountains much as an author I would compare him to, John Steinbeck knows Monterey, California.
In She-Rain we follow Frank Lock, a young man forced to bare witness to his opium addicted father brutalizing his mother. Frank's journey continues as he leaves his home in hope of protecting his mother, and finding love in a relationship considered taboo for that time and place.
I recommend She-Rain as it is one of the best books I have read. The novel comes from Michael Cogdill, who holds 29 Emmy Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and has interviewed to name of a few of many, Senator Hillary Clinton, Dr. Henry Kissinger, and President Barack Obama. Michael is with NBC affiliate Wyff 4 News. His work has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, the Today Show, and others. I predict we will see much more of Mr. Cogdill, and more literature from him the caliber of She-Rain.
The author of She-Rain is renowned Journalist Michael Cogdill who describes his novel as semi autobiographical, and Michael Cogdill grew up in North Caroline. Michael Cogdill describes the feel of 1921 North Carolina in an aesthetically artistic way through his work. Throughout the novel it is clear Michael Cogdill knows the Appalachian Mountains much as an author I would compare him to, John Steinbeck knows Monterey, California.
In She-Rain we follow Frank Lock, a young man forced to bare witness to his opium addicted father brutalizing his mother. Frank's journey continues as he leaves his home in hope of protecting his mother, and finding love in a relationship considered taboo for that time and place.
I recommend She-Rain as it is one of the best books I have read. The novel comes from Michael Cogdill, who holds 29 Emmy Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and has interviewed to name of a few of many, Senator Hillary Clinton, Dr. Henry Kissinger, and President Barack Obama. Michael is with NBC affiliate Wyff 4 News. His work has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, the Today Show, and others. I predict we will see much more of Mr. Cogdill, and more literature from him the caliber of She-Rain.
January 25, 2010
Mr. Cogdill ranks among Emerson and Thoreau painting his Appalachian tale with passion, calling for civil disobedience in the name of humanity. I recommend this book to friends young and old-- it urges the soul to feel the power of independence and the justice of nature.
July 5, 2020
Thank you Mr.Cogdill for a lovely read.
April 16, 2010
She-Rain by Michael Cogdill is a powerful story of the 1920s that will leave readers considering the nature of love. Frank Locke has lived his life with more despair and tragedy than ten other boys his age. His father is addicted to paregorics, and his mother too often faces his fists. The grandparents who guide his life giving it foundation and faith die while he's still a young man, leaving him to make his way. Mary Lizbeth has suffered even worse than Frank, and their shared pain pulls them together in a bond that seems irrevocable, until a violent act sends Frank running for his life and spilling onto the doorstep of sheltered Sophia. Sophia and Frank share a loss that binds them together as well and will change them both forever. Cogdill writes the book that every author intends when they sit down to write the Great American Novel. Filled with quotes that will touch the reader's very soul, every word seems carefully chosen, pulling the reader into the mountains of North Carolina where a child suffers for the sins of the parent. Beautifully written, impossible to put down, Cogdill will leave readers thinking about how true love makes each of us better, never leaves us the same and that "love is the only thing you earn by givin' it all away."
March 14, 2010
I've researched other reviews for this book on the internet, and they were all glowing and wonderful. Which made writing this review even harder for me. Now don't get me wrong it was a good book, in its way, but it just wasn't a book for me.
I'm an escapist. When I read, I want to disappear into the story and forget what's going on in my life. I want to be so pulled into a book that I forget to sleep and have to pay for it the next day. She-Rain was not that story for me.
While others stated that this book "was written with the most beautiful prose", and that it was but that's exactly what threw me off kilter. The story was heartfelt and wonderful, but I had to think too much. No, I am not a dumb blond (though blond I be), but when I read I want to escape, not think!
Mr. Cogdill is a talented story teller, but I don't think that he is someone that I would be reading on a regular basis.
I'm an escapist. When I read, I want to disappear into the story and forget what's going on in my life. I want to be so pulled into a book that I forget to sleep and have to pay for it the next day. She-Rain was not that story for me.
While others stated that this book "was written with the most beautiful prose", and that it was but that's exactly what threw me off kilter. The story was heartfelt and wonderful, but I had to think too much. No, I am not a dumb blond (though blond I be), but when I read I want to escape, not think!
Mr. Cogdill is a talented story teller, but I don't think that he is someone that I would be reading on a regular basis.
July 1, 2010
Frank Locke battles his own family's dysfunction, a town's ignorance and falls in love with two women in the mid 1920's.
He rises above the community in Marshall, NC like she-rain. This tale woven with the dialect of the Appalachian mountains and all it's beauty is a story about overcoming dreary expectations because of your born circumstances. Just because you are born into one spot doesn't mean you have to stay "rooted".
"The thought always brings me back to Granny's little blessed she-rain. Traces of fog, on their noble way between heaven and hard ground, surrendered to the wind yet determined to rise. The mist speaks to me of lives fully mortal, yet answering high callings of a world beyond what we can see. Souls never fully lost to selfishness, recklessness or fear---strong and delicate at once in their rise and fall."
September 2, 2010
Michael Cogdill is a writer who becomes the voice of the reader, and you jump right into his work as if you were there, with him. The story, his imagination, reminds me of those who wrote from the heart, of years ago, drawing us into the plot and wanting more. Feeling his accurate and meaningful hope - although fiction - you can feel a heart beat. I highly recommend Michael Cogdill To all my friends. Nancy Duci DenofioShe-Rain: A Story of Hope
September 14, 2010
She-Rain was absolutely beautiful. Michael's writing style reminds me of one of my favorite modern writers, Barbara Kingsolver, but his themes were much more redemptive. I loved his descriptions of the South and the depths and heights to which he brought his characters. It was a very satisfying book and I hope that it gains the popularity that it deserves.
Want to Read
January 28, 2010When I get chills while reading I know I've stumbled across something not just good, but great. I just read an excerpt of She-Rain by Michael Cogdill and was amazed at how quickly I got pulled into the world of a boy I hardly know through the gift of a dog from an old man named Thad.
March 9, 2013
It took me a while to get into the story. It is not a book that is a fast read. But the writing is so beautiful and descriptive and so southern. I hope it does not take Michael another 10 years to write another book.
June 13, 2013
A great read, with lots of lessons to be remembered. Thank you.
January 10, 2014
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a must read book for one and all, with the obvious exception of small children. Although, I do think many young adults will benefit from this book, as issues are covered that children themselves may have faced in their younger years. The author, Michael Cogdill, is an Edward R. Murrow and multi Emmy winning anchor in the beautiful town of Greenville, SC. His writing flows smoothly, intertwining his life in the beautiful mountains of Weaverville NC. The author has chosen right away to jump into the proverbial frying pan. However, readers, don't let that scare you away. Pick yourself up and return to this book while he carries you through a story that will have you emerging as a better, cleansed soul. Mr Cogdill is taking the reader on a journey of a child who witnesses opiate abuse, alcoholism, and physical abuse of his mother. Many of the lines in this book were drafted from his own personal childhood. But the character makes amends with the father, just as the son that wrote this book did with his own father.
There are parts of this novel that are extremely intense, to the point that you may have to put the book down and gather your thoughts, as it touches too close to home, and causes you to empathize with the young boy.
You see, not all of us have been touched by drug abuse, alcoholism, or physical abuse, but I guarantee you all of us are carrying a burden. Mr Cogdill has chosen not to preach to us (as an aside here, he does have a character based on a real life true friend who is a minister. This man will have you crying and rolling in the floor at the same time). He uses quite a bit of the vernacular of his hometown, and weaves pictures throughout his writing. You totally understand what "She-Rain" is, by his vivid description. There are times throughout the book that you can visualize everything the author is conveying to you.
The charm of this book is that at the conclusion, you, the reader, will feel at ease, cleansed, tranquil, and at peace with your inner being. Although I did not experience the events in this book, I witnessed verbal abuse by my father, towards my bedridden mother. I was quite young, and I didn't know how to intervene into such adult behavior. I was raised to respect and honor my parents, and interfering with this situation was not something that I knew how to handle. However, as stubborn as I am, I did stick my nose in their business in an effort to help my mother, without success. I loved my parents dearly and I do not speak in a derogatory way about my father. My point is, I am bringing this topic to the surface because I dealt with this issue until their deaths, but continued to carry the burden of not protecting my mother, who was incapacitated and could not fend for herself.
I have emerged as a God loving lady, teacher, musician, fun loving, person who loves life and loves to make people around me laugh and feel comfortable. However, I have carried this guilt for more that 30 years. At the conclusion of reading Mr Cogdill's book, I literally wept, knowing that I had finally left behind my conflicted issue and could leave the past behind and grow stronger. This books allows you to cleanse your soul, have a powerful sense of peace and tranquility, and carry on with your life. It will pull you out of that dead weight you have been carrying, and you will emerge with the awe inspiring feeling that you can accomplish anything you set out to do.
Mr Cogdill spent ten years of his life writing this book, but not a moment of it was wasted. I guarantee you there are readers, especially women, who I personally know, that gave gotten themselves out of dangerous life situations, and are alive today, because he has actually given us "permission" if I may say, to rise up against abuse and leave a horrible situation.
The author lives in South Carolina, where we unfortunately have the distinction of having the highest rate of spousal abuse, domestic violence, and death. We live in a beautiful town, with gorgeous amenities, but we have this dirty little secret that the author has tackled. He lets you know you can get out and get away, and be absolutely the person who want to be.
I was moved by this book to pick up the phone and call a relative who lives far away. He is an elderly man now, but all of his mental faculties are intact. This man was an uncle who felt that at the tender age of seven, he would take indecent liberties while I was under his care. I responded by telling my mother, whom I thought would tell my father, whom I thought would murder his brother. Alas, nothing happened. But, as a person with a crazy, fun loving personality, I did get a chance many years later, to kick this uncle with my size eleven shoes and leave him writhing in pain on the floor. For some strange reason, I never ever saw him again. The point of sharing this private issue is that I later learned that in his family of ten children, all of the nieces were abused. I told and it didn't stop, but I was the youngest. The damage was already done to the older cousins, as well as myself. I called this uncle after reading this book. I told him that you know what you did was wrong, but I can't carry this load any longer. I then did the unthinkable and told him I had forgiven him. That is when my healing began. So, no matter what issue you are dealing with, this author frees you from that cage you have been dwelling in and you will emerge as a spirit refreshed and renewed.
As you have gathered from this review, the author turned out to be a well adjusted, intelligent man, with a natural talent and a gift from God. His story literally changed my life, as I was able to hold my head up, teach hundreds of students, perform on stage, without that ever present badge of shame that I had carried for 47 years of my life. I'm well adjusted,fun loving, love to make others laugh, and am a child of God. I believe Mr Cogdill was put on this earth to do exactly as he did. Although he is a phenomenal speaker, and would most likely be an outstanding minister, he has touched more lives with this book than the average minister has the chance to reach. He reaches an audience that is ashamed to carry this burden into a church, but we carry it in our heart. I personally know several women and two men whose lives have drastically been affected by this book.
This book should be put into the hands of a talented screenwriter, as I feel that a movie that would hold fast to the author's intentions would reach millions of people and create a rebirth, of sorts, for the souls of so many struggling people who may not even realize what a toll is being taken on their lives.
The author poured out his heart and soul, but in doing so, he gave me a new release, a peace,a tranquility, and I am forever indebted and grateful. Thank you, Mr Cogdill, a gifted and talented writer. From God's mouth to this author's ears. What a gift and a legacy you have left for many people for generations to come. A story of HOPE.
There are parts of this novel that are extremely intense, to the point that you may have to put the book down and gather your thoughts, as it touches too close to home, and causes you to empathize with the young boy.
You see, not all of us have been touched by drug abuse, alcoholism, or physical abuse, but I guarantee you all of us are carrying a burden. Mr Cogdill has chosen not to preach to us (as an aside here, he does have a character based on a real life true friend who is a minister. This man will have you crying and rolling in the floor at the same time). He uses quite a bit of the vernacular of his hometown, and weaves pictures throughout his writing. You totally understand what "She-Rain" is, by his vivid description. There are times throughout the book that you can visualize everything the author is conveying to you.
The charm of this book is that at the conclusion, you, the reader, will feel at ease, cleansed, tranquil, and at peace with your inner being. Although I did not experience the events in this book, I witnessed verbal abuse by my father, towards my bedridden mother. I was quite young, and I didn't know how to intervene into such adult behavior. I was raised to respect and honor my parents, and interfering with this situation was not something that I knew how to handle. However, as stubborn as I am, I did stick my nose in their business in an effort to help my mother, without success. I loved my parents dearly and I do not speak in a derogatory way about my father. My point is, I am bringing this topic to the surface because I dealt with this issue until their deaths, but continued to carry the burden of not protecting my mother, who was incapacitated and could not fend for herself.
I have emerged as a God loving lady, teacher, musician, fun loving, person who loves life and loves to make people around me laugh and feel comfortable. However, I have carried this guilt for more that 30 years. At the conclusion of reading Mr Cogdill's book, I literally wept, knowing that I had finally left behind my conflicted issue and could leave the past behind and grow stronger. This books allows you to cleanse your soul, have a powerful sense of peace and tranquility, and carry on with your life. It will pull you out of that dead weight you have been carrying, and you will emerge with the awe inspiring feeling that you can accomplish anything you set out to do.
Mr Cogdill spent ten years of his life writing this book, but not a moment of it was wasted. I guarantee you there are readers, especially women, who I personally know, that gave gotten themselves out of dangerous life situations, and are alive today, because he has actually given us "permission" if I may say, to rise up against abuse and leave a horrible situation.
The author lives in South Carolina, where we unfortunately have the distinction of having the highest rate of spousal abuse, domestic violence, and death. We live in a beautiful town, with gorgeous amenities, but we have this dirty little secret that the author has tackled. He lets you know you can get out and get away, and be absolutely the person who want to be.
I was moved by this book to pick up the phone and call a relative who lives far away. He is an elderly man now, but all of his mental faculties are intact. This man was an uncle who felt that at the tender age of seven, he would take indecent liberties while I was under his care. I responded by telling my mother, whom I thought would tell my father, whom I thought would murder his brother. Alas, nothing happened. But, as a person with a crazy, fun loving personality, I did get a chance many years later, to kick this uncle with my size eleven shoes and leave him writhing in pain on the floor. For some strange reason, I never ever saw him again. The point of sharing this private issue is that I later learned that in his family of ten children, all of the nieces were abused. I told and it didn't stop, but I was the youngest. The damage was already done to the older cousins, as well as myself. I called this uncle after reading this book. I told him that you know what you did was wrong, but I can't carry this load any longer. I then did the unthinkable and told him I had forgiven him. That is when my healing began. So, no matter what issue you are dealing with, this author frees you from that cage you have been dwelling in and you will emerge as a spirit refreshed and renewed.
As you have gathered from this review, the author turned out to be a well adjusted, intelligent man, with a natural talent and a gift from God. His story literally changed my life, as I was able to hold my head up, teach hundreds of students, perform on stage, without that ever present badge of shame that I had carried for 47 years of my life. I'm well adjusted,fun loving, love to make others laugh, and am a child of God. I believe Mr Cogdill was put on this earth to do exactly as he did. Although he is a phenomenal speaker, and would most likely be an outstanding minister, he has touched more lives with this book than the average minister has the chance to reach. He reaches an audience that is ashamed to carry this burden into a church, but we carry it in our heart. I personally know several women and two men whose lives have drastically been affected by this book.
This book should be put into the hands of a talented screenwriter, as I feel that a movie that would hold fast to the author's intentions would reach millions of people and create a rebirth, of sorts, for the souls of so many struggling people who may not even realize what a toll is being taken on their lives.
The author poured out his heart and soul, but in doing so, he gave me a new release, a peace,a tranquility, and I am forever indebted and grateful. Thank you, Mr Cogdill, a gifted and talented writer. From God's mouth to this author's ears. What a gift and a legacy you have left for many people for generations to come. A story of HOPE.
May 22, 2010
When I wasn't struggling with the language, I loved the book.
On the one hand, She-Rain is a beautifully written story that will capture your heart, tear at your soul, and leave you a better person on the other side. On the other hand, your stomach will be in knots as you get lost in Michael Cogdill's prose, unsure of what you just read.
The beginning of this book is heart wrenching, as it introduces us to Frank, Jr., a boy with an abusive father and a strong hardworking mother. After I read the first 30 pages, I had to put it down for a while until I could find myself in the right frame of mind to pick it back up. I did not have an easy time getting going with She Rain. The emotions are raw, the scenes are vivid, and the characters are so real, I have to believe they are based on people from the author's life, if not the author himself. Some of my favorite books, like Pat Conroy's South of Broad, were not all hearts and flower either, so I pushed myself to continue.
After the initial shock wore off, I was able to appreciate the story a bit more. She-Rain brought me to a small mill town in the 1920s, where everyone struggled and everyone knew each other, but many skeletons lie locked away in families' closets. One family, The Proctors, the most prosperous, remained a mystery, and kept to themselves, so naturally, the most gossip was spread about them. The characters are weaved together, spanning generations, in a struggle of love vs hate, loyalty vs survival, family vs lovers.
While the writing was beautiful and often times poetic, I felt it was a bit overdone, which was distracting from the core story of Frank, Sophia, and Mary Lizbeth. This could just be my being used to a Northeastern quick tempo in my own dialogue. While authors like Pat Conroy can tap into the music of North Carolina in a much easier way, Michael Codgill's writing felt forced and was difficult to read at times. I found myself re-reading certain passages, sometimes to decipher the message, and other times, to soak in the beauty of what I had just read. When Codgill got it right, it was beautiful.
This was not a light read by any means, but one that is unique, hopeful and stays with you.
On the one hand, She-Rain is a beautifully written story that will capture your heart, tear at your soul, and leave you a better person on the other side. On the other hand, your stomach will be in knots as you get lost in Michael Cogdill's prose, unsure of what you just read.
The beginning of this book is heart wrenching, as it introduces us to Frank, Jr., a boy with an abusive father and a strong hardworking mother. After I read the first 30 pages, I had to put it down for a while until I could find myself in the right frame of mind to pick it back up. I did not have an easy time getting going with She Rain. The emotions are raw, the scenes are vivid, and the characters are so real, I have to believe they are based on people from the author's life, if not the author himself. Some of my favorite books, like Pat Conroy's South of Broad, were not all hearts and flower either, so I pushed myself to continue.
After the initial shock wore off, I was able to appreciate the story a bit more. She-Rain brought me to a small mill town in the 1920s, where everyone struggled and everyone knew each other, but many skeletons lie locked away in families' closets. One family, The Proctors, the most prosperous, remained a mystery, and kept to themselves, so naturally, the most gossip was spread about them. The characters are weaved together, spanning generations, in a struggle of love vs hate, loyalty vs survival, family vs lovers.
While the writing was beautiful and often times poetic, I felt it was a bit overdone, which was distracting from the core story of Frank, Sophia, and Mary Lizbeth. This could just be my being used to a Northeastern quick tempo in my own dialogue. While authors like Pat Conroy can tap into the music of North Carolina in a much easier way, Michael Codgill's writing felt forced and was difficult to read at times. I found myself re-reading certain passages, sometimes to decipher the message, and other times, to soak in the beauty of what I had just read. When Codgill got it right, it was beautiful.
This was not a light read by any means, but one that is unique, hopeful and stays with you.
October 7, 2010
Because he knows that I am an avid reader, a friend of mine gave me a copy of Michael Cogdill’s book, She-Rain, and asked to see what I thought of it. It turned out that I not only liked the book, I wanted to share it as well, so I am sending that copy to my daughter who is a professor of language studies in Barcelona, Spain.
The book is a different genre from the many books I usually obtain for my recreational diversion – those are found in the “action” or “mystery” sections of bookstores. She-Rain is exuberantly dominated by description, reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ way of fully picturing the people in his works. For an “action-thriller” devotee, it turned out to be a book I read slowly, because often the story seems to be almost paused -- to allow a wider vision of the surrounding people and their circumstances. In a way, Cogdill’s wording frequently feels more like poetry than prose, with picturesque adjectives and adverbs conveying more of the tale than stodgy old nouns and verbs. She-Rain certainly has good plot dimension, but its great value to me was in the enchanting use of descriptive words to flesh out situations that keyed on phrases spoken by the book’s characters, and those phrases evoking memories from my own life. It was as if someone had taken a tape recorder back into the past and did a collection of exclamations or characterizations my friends or family spoke as they remarked about life situations.
Here in the Appalachian mountains (including the Tennessee side where I grew up), we do have a wonderful heritage of language and unique phrases. Cogdill has utilized that heritage well in this book. Some of those phrases have impact by juxtaposition of words that normally would not be coupled together. He made use of this type of phrasing, whether from memory of actual expression or by his own skill today. Either way, a lot of the time that I was reading this book, I also was remembering my own life, because the descriptions and phrases made me recall varied incidents and people.
The book is a different genre from the many books I usually obtain for my recreational diversion – those are found in the “action” or “mystery” sections of bookstores. She-Rain is exuberantly dominated by description, reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ way of fully picturing the people in his works. For an “action-thriller” devotee, it turned out to be a book I read slowly, because often the story seems to be almost paused -- to allow a wider vision of the surrounding people and their circumstances. In a way, Cogdill’s wording frequently feels more like poetry than prose, with picturesque adjectives and adverbs conveying more of the tale than stodgy old nouns and verbs. She-Rain certainly has good plot dimension, but its great value to me was in the enchanting use of descriptive words to flesh out situations that keyed on phrases spoken by the book’s characters, and those phrases evoking memories from my own life. It was as if someone had taken a tape recorder back into the past and did a collection of exclamations or characterizations my friends or family spoke as they remarked about life situations.
Here in the Appalachian mountains (including the Tennessee side where I grew up), we do have a wonderful heritage of language and unique phrases. Cogdill has utilized that heritage well in this book. Some of those phrases have impact by juxtaposition of words that normally would not be coupled together. He made use of this type of phrasing, whether from memory of actual expression or by his own skill today. Either way, a lot of the time that I was reading this book, I also was remembering my own life, because the descriptions and phrases made me recall varied incidents and people.
April 16, 2010
From my blog..
The description of the word she-rain is one of the most beautiful word descriptions I have ever heard and someday I hope to catch a glimpse of she-rain, until then I have Michael Cogdill's description to carry with me. A Story of Hope: She-Rain is an exquisitely written novel filled with descriptive prose of near lyrical proportions interspersed with the proficient use of dialect between the various areas in which the story occurs. She-Rain is a novel to be savoured, slowly, to allow the words and people to become a part of the reader. Cogdill brings his readers to Oconee Gap, North Carolina, where some of the most intriguing, inspirational, colourful, and flawed characters live. The story is told primarily through the main character, Franklin Locke Junior, and through him we learn wisdom from his Pap, Woodfin Lloyd Warren, beauty from his Granny, May Ella Warren, and addiction and flawed behaviour through his father, Monroe Franklin Locke as well as his Uncle Ulysses "Useless" Tickman. Throughout the novel, Franklin learns of strength, faith, compassion, and forgiveness primarily through the women in his life, especially, his mother Dovie, Mary Lizbeth, and Sophia Procter. To share more would rob the reader of this brilliantly woven novel. It is sufficient to say She-Rain is a multi-dimensional novel of faith, abuse, fear, addiction, friendship, love, and hope which is written through the use of vivid imagery, characters the reader grows to adore or learns to understand over an 84-year period. She-Rain is a novel that draws the reader in, making the reader want to pause to absorb every nuance and feeling. She-Rain would make for a brilliant choice for a discussion group. If anyone has read this book, I would very much like to hear your thoughts.
The description of the word she-rain is one of the most beautiful word descriptions I have ever heard and someday I hope to catch a glimpse of she-rain, until then I have Michael Cogdill's description to carry with me. A Story of Hope: She-Rain is an exquisitely written novel filled with descriptive prose of near lyrical proportions interspersed with the proficient use of dialect between the various areas in which the story occurs. She-Rain is a novel to be savoured, slowly, to allow the words and people to become a part of the reader. Cogdill brings his readers to Oconee Gap, North Carolina, where some of the most intriguing, inspirational, colourful, and flawed characters live. The story is told primarily through the main character, Franklin Locke Junior, and through him we learn wisdom from his Pap, Woodfin Lloyd Warren, beauty from his Granny, May Ella Warren, and addiction and flawed behaviour through his father, Monroe Franklin Locke as well as his Uncle Ulysses "Useless" Tickman. Throughout the novel, Franklin learns of strength, faith, compassion, and forgiveness primarily through the women in his life, especially, his mother Dovie, Mary Lizbeth, and Sophia Procter. To share more would rob the reader of this brilliantly woven novel. It is sufficient to say She-Rain is a multi-dimensional novel of faith, abuse, fear, addiction, friendship, love, and hope which is written through the use of vivid imagery, characters the reader grows to adore or learns to understand over an 84-year period. She-Rain is a novel that draws the reader in, making the reader want to pause to absorb every nuance and feeling. She-Rain would make for a brilliant choice for a discussion group. If anyone has read this book, I would very much like to hear your thoughts.
May 4, 2010
This was such an awesome story. The characters, the details, the language were all written soooo beautifully. The story line kept moving, never got boring, there was always something happening. This book for me was a comfort read.
The title She-Rain is explained by Granny:
"In the rise of crickets and peep frogs, Granny spread out her mountain mystic view of things again, and the whole wagon treated it as scared for a moment. She'd often speak of how a little scrap of fog tears from a rain cloud. Floats on the waves of blue ridge as if a wisp off a bride. Granny and others called it she-rain. I suppose for the womanly drape, white as wedding gown. Common legend, though Granny took the vision further. Said she-rain was like us all..."
See what I mean about the details? I can see it in my mind, what a gorgeous scene!
Frank Lock has a hard life with a drug addicted daddy, beating up on his Ma. He won't ever call him daddy, he says this about him : "Don't call him that. I'll not have that dung-mound called my daddy or pa or nothin' like it. No more."
One day something terrible happens and to save his Ma he has to run away. After days of running, he decides to jump on a train to get away from the town. When he does, he miscalculates and must jump.
Almost drowning, someone saves him. She brings him to her home and they come to share their lives, their dreams. He finds out things no one ever knew and learns what love is all about. I can't say anymore about it, you'll just have to read it!
I can't say enough how much I loved this story and I hope one day they will make a movie because it is THAT GOOD!!
Natalie ~~
The title She-Rain is explained by Granny:
"In the rise of crickets and peep frogs, Granny spread out her mountain mystic view of things again, and the whole wagon treated it as scared for a moment. She'd often speak of how a little scrap of fog tears from a rain cloud. Floats on the waves of blue ridge as if a wisp off a bride. Granny and others called it she-rain. I suppose for the womanly drape, white as wedding gown. Common legend, though Granny took the vision further. Said she-rain was like us all..."
See what I mean about the details? I can see it in my mind, what a gorgeous scene!
Frank Lock has a hard life with a drug addicted daddy, beating up on his Ma. He won't ever call him daddy, he says this about him : "Don't call him that. I'll not have that dung-mound called my daddy or pa or nothin' like it. No more."
One day something terrible happens and to save his Ma he has to run away. After days of running, he decides to jump on a train to get away from the town. When he does, he miscalculates and must jump.
Almost drowning, someone saves him. She brings him to her home and they come to share their lives, their dreams. He finds out things no one ever knew and learns what love is all about. I can't say anymore about it, you'll just have to read it!
I can't say enough how much I loved this story and I hope one day they will make a movie because it is THAT GOOD!!
Natalie ~~
January 23, 2014
I have to agree that this book needed a TOUGH editor, even though I loved the book when I started reading it! I mean, I loved it so much that I felt compelled to read portions out loud to others. It was that good. The prose was gorgeous & very evocative of the mountains I love. Even better than the descriptive writing, though, there was a plot that kept me wanting to find out more--at first. Before too long, however, rather than REVEALING the story, the language began obscuring the story--and then, not long after, the story itself became unbelievable to me. I greatly admire Michael Cogdill, and believe that he is truly a fantastic writer. This novel had the potential to be an outstanding piece of literature, but there was just TOO MUCH--unnecessary dialogue, unnecessary description, unnecessary backstory. I found it frustrating that such a terrific writer with a story that started out so well could end up making me feel like I might feel after listening to a really good sermon in church-- that lasted for 5 hours!! To use another analogy, I am sad to say that this book started out tasting like a rich cheesecake, but soon the richness turned to sawdust. There were still pockets of cheesecake prose throughout the book, but by then, I was so sick of the sawdust that I couldn't properly appreciate those sweet morsels. It is my hope that somehow, Mr. Cogdill will secure an really good editor, someone who will help him to polish away everything unnecessary to his next novel so that his talent can shine as it deserves to shine.
August 24, 2012
This review is long overdue, my friends!
If you want to get wrapped up and carried away by a story ~ a beautiful, almost poetic, mind blowing story - then pick up this book SOON.
Here is a story of three individuals caught up in a world of struggles - of both the body and mind -and the unique and beautiful way they were able to bond, overcome and carry on (in ways that I dare say not many of us today could manage). Set in Appalachia and told in a hypnotic symphony of Southern voices - this story is a stunning tale of true love, understanding and commitment that is both unbelievable and heart wrenchingly fascinating.
As I came to know the main characters Frank, Sophia and Mary Lizbeth - I found myself in awe of their strength, their determination and their utter GOODNESS. They made me laugh out loud and cry something terrible... as a great story should! I found myself putting the book down time and again, just to allow my mind to dwell a little longer on their storyworld, and to put off getting to those final pages where I would have to say good-bye to them.
Michael's writing style and talent are stunning... his storytelling nothing short of addictive. I applaud him for his work - and thank him from the very bottom of my heart for sharing what I must say may be the best story I've ever read!
If you want to get wrapped up and carried away by a story ~ a beautiful, almost poetic, mind blowing story - then pick up this book SOON.
Here is a story of three individuals caught up in a world of struggles - of both the body and mind -and the unique and beautiful way they were able to bond, overcome and carry on (in ways that I dare say not many of us today could manage). Set in Appalachia and told in a hypnotic symphony of Southern voices - this story is a stunning tale of true love, understanding and commitment that is both unbelievable and heart wrenchingly fascinating.
As I came to know the main characters Frank, Sophia and Mary Lizbeth - I found myself in awe of their strength, their determination and their utter GOODNESS. They made me laugh out loud and cry something terrible... as a great story should! I found myself putting the book down time and again, just to allow my mind to dwell a little longer on their storyworld, and to put off getting to those final pages where I would have to say good-bye to them.
Michael's writing style and talent are stunning... his storytelling nothing short of addictive. I applaud him for his work - and thank him from the very bottom of my heart for sharing what I must say may be the best story I've ever read!
April 18, 2010
Appalachia in the early twentieth century is beautiful and tragic at the same time. Cruelty rears its head, yet hope and faith persevere. This is best revealed in the relationships that Frankie Lock has with the women in his life: his grandmother, mother and the two women he finds love with: Mary Lizbeth and Sophia. Cogdill tackles a multitude of issues throughout this tale. It is deep and complex.
It may sound odd, but I found myself thinking of She-Rain in terms of a thick triple chocolate cake. It was rich and full of layers and surprises. It was the kind of book that I had to read in small doses, simply because the prose was so full of beautiful descriptions that I took for what seemed like forever to digest each portion. Emotions between the characters run so deep that they weigh heavily on me, long after I’ve completed the story.
This book isn’t for the faint of heart, but it will suck you in after you’ve acquainted yourself with Cogdill’s style of writing (I consider it atypical of most of the stories I read). The only troublesome part I had in reading She-Rain was getting a good grasp of the Appachlachian “speak,” which is very foreign to someone like me who lives…oh, on the other side of the United States…you know, “Out West.”
It may sound odd, but I found myself thinking of She-Rain in terms of a thick triple chocolate cake. It was rich and full of layers and surprises. It was the kind of book that I had to read in small doses, simply because the prose was so full of beautiful descriptions that I took for what seemed like forever to digest each portion. Emotions between the characters run so deep that they weigh heavily on me, long after I’ve completed the story.
This book isn’t for the faint of heart, but it will suck you in after you’ve acquainted yourself with Cogdill’s style of writing (I consider it atypical of most of the stories I read). The only troublesome part I had in reading She-Rain was getting a good grasp of the Appachlachian “speak,” which is very foreign to someone like me who lives…oh, on the other side of the United States…you know, “Out West.”
July 14, 2012
Giving the book the title She-rain (an unfamiliar term, for the familiar phenomenon of low-hanging clouds that adorned the mountains where I live) hints at the powerful role the setting will play in this novel. A book about the power of love, albeit in unorthodox forms, shows its two greatest strengths in Michael Cogdill's vivid description of the setting and the characters he hewns from it. Set in the mountains of rural Mathison County in the mountains of western North Carolina in the 1920s, Cogdill creates a story of Frank Locke, Jr who overcomes the worst that humanity can deal a child to become a man that represents some of the best of humanity. The love from wonderful array of characters guides Locke along his path. While the reading of this book and its long chapters and descriptive passages require patience, a reader who loses herself in the pages of this book will be rewarded with getting to know characters you would love to meet in real life.
April 22, 2010
I bet I will get some flack for this review, but to each his own, right?
I just couldn't get into this book. I struggled so hard to read this book, and tried even harder to enjoy it. I just couldn't.
The way the author wrote it was I couldn't get into. Not the story.
For me this was bad enough, I went and read another book in between, to ease the boredom.
I'm sorry to my readers for not having great kudos for it. I know the teaser gave us all hope. It also doesn't help some of you actually said you enjoyed it in your reviews.
With that said, it must be like spinach. An acquired taste. So please don't let me not liking it, deter you from enjoying it. You just might.
I just couldn't get into this book. I struggled so hard to read this book, and tried even harder to enjoy it. I just couldn't.
The way the author wrote it was I couldn't get into. Not the story.
For me this was bad enough, I went and read another book in between, to ease the boredom.
I'm sorry to my readers for not having great kudos for it. I know the teaser gave us all hope. It also doesn't help some of you actually said you enjoyed it in your reviews.
With that said, it must be like spinach. An acquired taste. So please don't let me not liking it, deter you from enjoying it. You just might.
September 3, 2011
This story is definitely heartbreaking and seems hopeless but is a story of hope. I had a hard time really liking it. The writing style was hard to read and I wanted more details about the character but felt like there was too much of other detail. The preacher and his wife brought humor to the book to help lighten the story a bit and helped me finish the book. OK, but not a favorite.
June 28, 2010
This is one of the most heart-wrenching and heart-warming and life-affirming stories ever written. Poetic prose captures the reader and never lets go. A must-read book to share with family and friends!
Read
July 3, 2010"She-Rain" is a hauntingly beautiful novel spanning decades with a message of strength of character and gentleness of heart. It shares the spirit of forgiveness and the power of love to transform lives. It belongs amongst the classics.
Want to Read
January 24, 2011I have not yet read this book, but my mother heard Michael speak today at a conference and was amazed at his wealth of knowledge and gift with words. I am looking forward to reading his book.
January 23, 2012
Started out amazing but lost some of it's flare when the story moved out of the "back woods". Not for children.
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