Union, WV

by Michael Abraham

Wayne Derek Quarles wins no sainthood awards. A resident of bustling, polyglot Northern Virginia, Quarles is self-centered, egotistical, and cantankerous - an equal opportunity bigot. Within the span of a week, his malevolence causes him to lose everything that has ever been important. But his life seemingly turns even more wretched when, on a visit to tiny Union, West Virginia, he becomes an accidental long-term visitor. Through family lore, Quarles finds that his troubles, as well as his recovery process, mirror those of his ancestor, Confederate veteran Andrew Jackson McGranahan, whose likeness was memorialized in a statue in a cow pasture at the end of Main Street. Union, WV is a novel of loss, healing, and redemption in contemporary Appalachia.

318 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2010

About the author

I was born, raised, and educated in the heart of Appalachia, Southwest Virginia. I somehow earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech, the hardest thing I've ever done. Still stumbling through my career, I have done engineering, sales, marketing, and management.
Other than ten years in Seattle, Washington, I have lived in Virginia my entire life.
I am owner/manager of an industrial condominium in Christiansburg and is co-owner with his wife, Jane, of Pocahontas Press, a publishing firm specializing in regional Appalachian fiction and non-fiction.
I enjoy backpacking, motorcycling, bicyling, walking, and juggling.
My wife Jane and I have one grown daughter.

Reviews

[Chris Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The protagonist is certainly not a likable character in the beginning and the subject matter becomes graphic at times for the first 40 or so pages. But, if you stay with this novel, you will enjoy this story of redemption with a modern Appalachian setting. Although this takes place in Monroe County, WV, the names and places are still a treat for residents of the New River Valley. I would recommend this book!

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was terrible and racist. Actually it was terribly racist and demeaning to women. I am pretty proud to say I didn't finish the book because of the poor morals it displayed.