The Great Meadow

by Elizabeth Madox Roberts

First published in 1930 and shortlisted for the Pulitzer, the winner of Hesperus' "Uncover a Classic" competition is a long-neglected American classic, a romantic saga of young love on the Kentucky trail in colonial America

Diony Hall has waited for many years for her betrothed to return to marry her. Trying to fathom the nature of identity and her place in the vast newly created America, Diony spends her time at the family hearthside, combining her love of reading with her roles within the family circle and the daily tasks on the homestead. When Berk Jarvis returns and they are married, they both bid farewell to Virginia, family, community, and security to head out to found a new family and a new life together in the wilderness of Kentucky. What follows is a breathtaking story of love and death, as the settlers cross the Appalachian mountains and struggle to carve a new life on the unforgiving frontier at the mercy of shortages, harsh winters, and the perpetual danger of Indian attack. This astonishing novel, with its rhythmic prose, has too long been forgotten.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Classics, Novels

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1930

About the author

Kentucky novelist and poet.

Reviews

[Roni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, but I knew I would as a great fan of Elizabeth Madox Roberts.

[Jeremy Sayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this is an old book, it reads with a freshness not found in a great deal of more contemporary novels.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging read found serendipitously! In reading a history of trans-Appalachia pioneers, I came across references to "the Great Meadow." Unsure of the term, I googled it. I learned not only that this referred to central Kentucky in the late 1700s but also that an historical novel by this title was written in 1930. I found it on Amazon for a well-spent $4. This popular novel about trans-Applachia migration and pioneer Kentucky was made into a movie in 1931. I'll be watching the movie tonight. Great finds!

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real discovery for me. Elizabeth Madox Roberts has a very distinct writing style. As she writes about the inner thoughts of her heroine Diony Hall, her words beat a rhythm like a heartbeat which lasts throughout the story. I wasn't surprised to discover that Roberts also wrote poetry as her prose is so lyrical. It took me a while to get into the book because of both the unusual style and the slow moving narrative but it was worth it.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to 'get into' this book but once I had I enjoyed it. I liked the contrast and links between Diony's everyday life and her inner thoughts. I also thought it was a interesting portrayal of early settler life in America as seen from the perspective of the 1920s, surprisingly modern actually.

[Raoul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting considering that it was published in 1930 and a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1931.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this. Roberts tells the fascinating story of the early settlement of Kentucky.

[Indah Arsika · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Does the devil know he is a devil”

[Taryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The difference between Roberts' flowery, descriptive language is a stark contrast to the early pioneer dialogue amongst the characters. The content itself is decent, but the plot details are heavily weighed down and difficult to digest because of Roberts' narration and Diony's inner dialogue.

[Sheri Jeschke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poetically word but loved the story.