Creeker: A Woman's Journey

by Linda Scott Derosier

Linda Sue Preston was born on a feather bed in the upper room of her Grandma Emmy's log house in the hills of eastern Kentucky. More than fifty years later, Linda Scott DeRosier has come to believe that you can take a woman out of Appalachia but you can't take Appalachia out of the woman. DeRosier's humorous and poignant memoir is the story of an educated and cultured woman who came of age in Appalachia. She remains unabashedly honest about and proud of her mountain heritage. Now a college professor, decades and notions removed from the creeks and hollows, DeRosier knows that her roots run deep in her memory and language and in her approach to the world. DeRosier describes an Appalachia of complexity and beauty rarely seen by outsiders. Hers was a close-knit world; she says she was probably eleven or twelve years old before she ever spoke to a stranger. She lovingly remembers the unscheduled, day-long visits to friends and family, when visitors cheerfully joined in the day's chores of stringing beans or bedding out sweet potatoes. No advance planning was needed for such trips. Residents of Two-Mile Creek were like family, and everyone was "delighted to see each other wherever, whenever, and for however long." Creeker is a story of relationships, the challenges and consequences of choice, and the impact of the past on the present. It also recalls one woman's struggle to make and keep a sense of self while remaining loyal to the people and traditions that sustained her along life's way. Told with wit, candor, and zest, this is Linda Scott DeRosier's answer to the question familiar in Appalachia―"Who are your people?"

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, History, Womens

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sarah Bowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic look into the life of an Appalachian women coming into her own while stile embracing her heritage. Loved it.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It doesn't, or shouldn't, take any deep psychology as to why I enjoyed this book. I did. A lot. And mostly because, even though I didn't grow up in Eastern Kentucky, I recognized so many of the things that Ms. DeRosier talked about when she discussed the attitudes and traditions held on by the hillbillies and Creekers of the area. Reading this book made me understand some of the reasons my family operates the way it does. My grandmother was born in a holler. We have celebrated Decoration Day (Memorial Day) for far, far longer than I can remember. In fact, as we were sitting around the cemetery this year, we were discussing how my grandma went and participated in Decoration Day activities (decorating the headstones and talking about and remembering family members now deceased) when she was a young girl. We are tight-knit and in each others' business. We believe in dropping by and sharing food with whoever enters our home.

Ms. DeRosier talks about how she and her ex-husband have remained close throughout the years; to the point where the ex took her step-daughter to "Father's Weekend" because her husband had work obligations that he could not get out of. I thought of my own grandparents who divorced while my dad was serving an LDS mission, who spent their entire lives helping each other out and co-existing at every family function. My mom said that when she married in to the Armstrong family, she thought that divorced couples were supposed to be uncivil and the like, and thought it strange that we'd have holidays at one or the others home, and the other person would be there.

On top of the familiar stories and attitudes, Linda Scott DeRosier is an interesting character who was born in the Creeker/Holler area of Eastern Kentucky in 1941. Though definitely a "hillbilly", she brought a sort of awkwardness and intelligence that others in her area didn't possess, that eventually led to her attendance and graduation from Pikeville College; which led to her getting a career that actually took her away from not only the county, but the state; which led to more education and ideas from the 60s and 70s; which led to more education, travel and experiences. She talks then, of transforming from hillbilly to academe and offering fun stories and interesting ideologies throughout the book.

I really loved this book. I loved the memories it created for me, even though I hadn't experienced it. I love that I recognized my own hillbilly family traits while I read it.

[Debbe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really didn't like this woman or her book.

[lynda Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born in a city in Nebraska, but I have lived 40+ years in Kentucky. The author was born 10 years before me in a rural area of Kentucky. Her day to day life in some ways was very different than mine, but her sense of family and belong were just like those of this Cornhusker girl!

I copied many quotes from the book. Two I especially like are:
One thing I know, the hills of eastern Kentucky and the values and customs of that place and those people remain a central part of me today. It is left to me, then, to recognize that fact and draw strength from it or attempt to deny the connection, thereby cutting myself off from it. In either case, it exists.
Home is largely an idea, a place where we go and know that whatever changes we have made in our lives, we will still always belong right there.

[Stacey Peery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow for me to get interested. I got lost when she was describing how everyone was related and how they knew everyone on two mile. But after we got pass that and she started describing how she grew up, I found it very interesting. I especially liked once she went to school and how that began to change her mind and open her mind up to things she was not aware of. I also loved that she still loves her home even after learning more about the world.

[Peggy Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I so enjoy learning of the people from the Appalachians and this book was excellent. I could have been there with her the entire time, her story is so well written. I appreciate all the different cultures and love absorbing what I can from what I learn. This book rates very high in that respect and am very glad I read it.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author explains where she came from, Appalachia, where she is today today, PhD, and how she got there. No pretense, no excuses and proud of her family and friends. Lucky people who had her as a teacher! I not only enjoyed her book I liked the author.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really left an impression on me. A true story of a woman growing up in the creeks of Kentucky and becoming a professor.

[Carol Nease]

Good. Autobiography in 2 mile creek in eastern ky at Payne’s I’ll and inez

[Diana Maslowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Kentucky you'll love this book.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. As a school teacher who sees capable students, even gifted ones squander their educational opportunities, I could relate to her story. A quote that has stayed with me is "I graduated from high school with an IQ to die for and a head full of nothing." She also talks about the teachers who prepared her so that when she was ready she would have what she needed to get a college degree. I also was struck by her observations about what people assume about people from the hills of Kentucky. I saw that in a small northern town in Indiana, where people were drawn to Wabash,IN from Paintsville, Ky for opportunities. I went to school with them in the 1950's and I was aware of the differences between them and me. We joked about how there must be a sign in Paintsville saying how many miles to Wabash, IN., and referenced them as Ky's. Reading this book gave me a new perspective on what it means to come from the hills of Kentucky and how learning can take hold long after I have seen a student in my classroom. I would especially recommend this book for teachers.

[Allison Blissett-White · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband's family is from Eastern Kentucky, and this book rings true to the attitude, steadfastness, and strong desire of the Appalachian woman. This could have been his grandmother, aunt, or cousin. I liked the way the book was narrated to include the reader as a part of the events as they unfold.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me forever "to get in to". The first third was very back and forth. Once she hit college it was all 5 stars from there. I loved her insights and they spoke to me in a very real way. As a woman who sometimes feels I have ended up in realy great places without making deliberate choices to be there I could relate much of the story.

[Gayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could certainly relate to this book, although I grew up in southcentral Kentucky. Many of the descriptions of her childhood and youth brought back my own memories of growing up among extended family where everybody in a community had some kind of tie. Families and friends got together to work, to celebrate, to live.

[Ginney Etherton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand that this is a popular book-club read, but much too long for my tastes. As such, it's a well-written memoir, and with Derosier's credentials it should be. I like that she added photographs, letters, and bits of dialogue to break up the narrative. She is funny at times, and soul-searching, as all memoirists seem to be. I'd say that this is a fair portrait of a time and a place.

[Billie Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read the book 10 years ago and just finished re-reading it for bookclub. My reactions and opinions of the book have changed. I wonder how much of that is due to the additional decade that I've been away from the hills. Hmmm.

[AR · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this was written about life in the hollers of Appalachia, its voice, dialect, expressions, and stories reminded me so much of my life and that of my family in rural Central Georgia. This was such an enjoyable book to read and useful as well as I delve into my own past for my MFA thesis.

[Deanndra Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I may be a Kentucky native, but I'm not from the mountains (other end of the state). I'm fascinated by my Appalachian fellow Kentuckians and this book is a great introduction, not to mention a compelling story, By all means, read it!

[Sandra Jeppsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book becomes more intriguing half-way to the end. The character formation becomes more complex, with plenty of surprises. I was amazed at the openness and honesty displayed. It is a good psychology/sociology study.

[Loretta · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman telling of growing up in Appalachia that brought back memories and old sayings from my youth in the hills of Kentucky .

[Regina Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written. Interesting Characters.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay book. I like reading books about KY...and I like how this author talks about places that I know about.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting peek at the culture of Apppalachia.

[Megan]

Started Book: 08/08/2013