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Winder Hollow
Siblings, Alma Lee and Jacob Holcomb, manage to preserve their self-sufficient existence within an isolated mountain hollow, even after the untimely death of their parents. That is, until Alma Lee is confronted with a life-threatening illness, forcing them from the refuge of the hollow to confront the unknown perils of the modern world.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2010
436 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 7, 2020
Memories
This story takes me back to my own people who are from West Virginia. So much of the detail and feelings this invoked in me came rushing over my soul as I read! If you enjoy nature you will fall in love with all of the people here. Wonderful story!
This story takes me back to my own people who are from West Virginia. So much of the detail and feelings this invoked in me came rushing over my soul as I read! If you enjoy nature you will fall in love with all of the people here. Wonderful story!
June 11, 2018
Wonder Hollow
A good look at days gone by and how tough it was to survive. How people lived without electricity, phones and modern conveniences! Everyone was neighbors and helped each other. Good book!
A good look at days gone by and how tough it was to survive. How people lived without electricity, phones and modern conveniences! Everyone was neighbors and helped each other. Good book!
May 27, 2020
Entertaining
Wonder Hollow was a great book about mountain people. The simplicity of the way they chose to live. A little suspicious of outsiders but willing to give every one a chance. Mountain people take care of each other like in great big family
Wonder Hollow was a great book about mountain people. The simplicity of the way they chose to live. A little suspicious of outsiders but willing to give every one a chance. Mountain people take care of each other like in great big family
May 13, 2015
Good read
I enjoyed this book because I enjoy reading stories of a slower life . I am tired of crime, violence and murder. I prefer stories that have good characters with morals.
I enjoyed this book because I enjoy reading stories of a slower life . I am tired of crime, violence and murder. I prefer stories that have good characters with morals.
July 10, 2021
I was so up to read a out winder hollow culture that was in my time of life. In many ways it is like my childhood in the rockYmountains
MountainS. In North Idaho. At thatHad time it was with out electricity or paved roads. Grow Hadwhat we ate. we have chicken ;pigs ,cows,horses,a.nd a very huge garden.5acres.we had root seller for preserving our potatoes, carrot s,turnip s squash, cabbage, the corn,beans peas, were canned. Also we rhub arb our nearest neighbors was a mile away. also the Indian mission was was just across the mile wide valley. We lived on one side it was on the other side. In the summer we would hear their pow lows.. That area this a sign saying it was settled in1902.
MountainS. In North Idaho. At thatHad time it was with out electricity or paved roads. Grow Hadwhat we ate. we have chicken ;pigs ,cows,horses,a.nd a very huge garden.5acres.we had root seller for preserving our potatoes, carrot s,turnip s squash, cabbage, the corn,beans peas, were canned. Also we rhub arb our nearest neighbors was a mile away. also the Indian mission was was just across the mile wide valley. We lived on one side it was on the other side. In the summer we would hear their pow lows.. That area this a sign saying it was settled in1902.
April 11, 2021
Reading this book was like being home. It was comforting and enjoyable. I didn't grow up in a mountain town but I did grow up in a small country town and could relate to a lot of this book. I was pleasantly surprised to read that Jacob became the doctor, I thought Alma would go down that path after her medical ordeal. However, I'm glad he did because it really fit the story line. I thoroughly enjoyed the last few chapters of seeing how they were continuing on the way of life of Winder Hollow. All in all, a nice book to read and I would recommend it.
February 1, 2021
I got 77% done with the book and suddenly it became ridiculous. Uneducated teenagers in Appalachia, a “healing woman” called Grannie, and other characters struggle in poverty. I turned the page and there they were 19 years later, one a doctor and one a restaurant owner! No Appalachian accents, educated, living prosperous lives! Was not believable and quite ridiculous. Didn’t finish the book.
January 10, 2025
Winder Hollow
What a wonderful story. Can you imagine what it was like coming from the Hollow to modern life? From no electricity to a Modern hospital. I wish there was such a place to learn all the old ways of living. Cooking, canning, animal care, quilting, building log cabins, such a lot of knowledge that is being lost. Read this book and see the possibilities. Enjoy
What a wonderful story. Can you imagine what it was like coming from the Hollow to modern life? From no electricity to a Modern hospital. I wish there was such a place to learn all the old ways of living. Cooking, canning, animal care, quilting, building log cabins, such a lot of knowledge that is being lost. Read this book and see the possibilities. Enjoy
May 8, 2020
The first chapter was great and then what ensued an avalanche of vapid drivel. It's as if the author got bored with his/her own idea for a novel and just crammed as much insipid information as possible into subsequent chapters to accellerate to the end of the book. Blech!!
May 20, 2020
Beautiful
A lovely interesting story of Appalachian mountain life & the folks who live there. The sweet family featured exemplifies their life in the Miller and their Boeing up years.
A lovely interesting story of Appalachian mountain life & the folks who live there. The sweet family featured exemplifies their life in the Miller and their Boeing up years.
June 30, 2020
Great reading.
I can never get tired of the old way of living. This is a wonderful story of a brother and sister growing up in the mountains and their first time outside of it. Jacob and Alma Mae's story continues on for a
I can never get tired of the old way of living. This is a wonderful story of a brother and sister growing up in the mountains and their first time outside of it. Jacob and Alma Mae's story continues on for a
November 4, 2021
Good read. Nice storytelling.
I enjoy reading stories of families from Appalachia. I can relate to these stories because my dad's family had similar experiences. This story is
a relaxing story, and I liked the characters and the conversations.
I enjoy reading stories of families from Appalachia. I can relate to these stories because my dad's family had similar experiences. This story is
a relaxing story, and I liked the characters and the conversations.
December 20, 2021
Fun story
Fun story from scary beginning all the way to the wonderful ending. The every changing lives can be made to stand still with choosing to preserve the supported life and culture of these mountain folks.
Fun story from scary beginning all the way to the wonderful ending. The every changing lives can be made to stand still with choosing to preserve the supported life and culture of these mountain folks.
September 11, 2022
Winder Hollow
A heart warming story, about a brother and sister living in the mountains of West Virginia. Facing many obstacles, they honor their past, and ultimately create a bright future.
A heart warming story, about a brother and sister living in the mountains of West Virginia. Facing many obstacles, they honor their past, and ultimately create a bright future.
January 18, 2023
Really enjoyed this book. A simple story. W. Virginia brother and sister alone after the tragic death of their parents. From teen years to middle age. A good story about mountain people coming together and how their children preserve the mountain heritage in the end. Worth reading
September 15, 2025
Amusing
Too many holes in the plot
Too many unanswered questions
While its a light novella
It leaves a lot to be desired
Seems like R.F. McClure wrote this on a rainy Saturday afternoon
Too many holes in the plot
Too many unanswered questions
While its a light novella
It leaves a lot to be desired
Seems like R.F. McClure wrote this on a rainy Saturday afternoon
October 11, 2019
Disappointment
Was ok through first half of book. Became just another love story after. Lost its quaint, mountain feeling. Too much outside life.
Was ok through first half of book. Became just another love story after. Lost its quaint, mountain feeling. Too much outside life.
May 20, 2020
Such a pleasant read. It hugs at your heart, makes you smile, laugh and I even shed a few tears. Would love to drive up and visit one day.
March 3, 2021
Good read.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The simplicity of these folks is sweet. Money isn't very important, compared to the simple , loving, caring life.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The simplicity of these folks is sweet. Money isn't very important, compared to the simple , loving, caring life.
March 13, 2021
.
Would recommend to friends and family. Wholesome and clean writing. I was not ready for the story to end. Great story.
Would recommend to friends and family. Wholesome and clean writing. I was not ready for the story to end. Great story.
January 29, 2022
Great book
December 15, 2023
It's a good book about tough times in the Appalachian of West Virginia. Alma Lee must leave the refuge of the hollow to seek help in the modern world.
May 5, 2024
Good read for young people.
The story was nice but a little bit simplistic. Not enough time spent on developing the characters or the point of the story.
The story was nice but a little bit simplistic. Not enough time spent on developing the characters or the point of the story.
August 17, 2024
stories from home.
I loved reading about the old life in the mountains. My husband’s family came from the Cade’s Cove area. Sounds a little like Cove Mountain, Tennessee.
I loved reading about the old life in the mountains. My husband’s family came from the Cade’s Cove area. Sounds a little like Cove Mountain, Tennessee.
July 19, 2025
Wonderful book
Easy read, full of family issues, mostly good. I read it in 2 days because it did peak my interest regarding life in Appalachia.
Easy read, full of family issues, mostly good. I read it in 2 days because it did peak my interest regarding life in Appalachia.
February 23, 2017
Do not even bother!
I gAve this book twenty minutes. How insulting the writer is to be so derisive of West Virginians.
He makes them all sound unschooled , ignorant, and just plain dumb. I have been down there and was treated with kindness, and the beauty of the country was spectacular.
Don't know what the author was going for......"Angela's Ashes" in America? Don't fool yourself.
I gAve this book twenty minutes. How insulting the writer is to be so derisive of West Virginians.
He makes them all sound unschooled , ignorant, and just plain dumb. I have been down there and was treated with kindness, and the beauty of the country was spectacular.
Don't know what the author was going for......"Angela's Ashes" in America? Don't fool yourself.
June 30, 2015
Interesting Story Concept
I enjoyed the beginning of the book, starting in the 1960s. The characters were given depth. Moving on to 19 years later, with a few flashback stories that briefly explained a few key events that happened between the two periods, I think the stories lost their depth. The story romantically portrayed a back woods lifestyle in the W. Virginia mountains while glossing over hardships. Most true stories focused on people living in extreme poverty who made it out of the mountains and became successful. It was a bit like the Waltons. The concept of rebuilding vacant cabins and teaching craftsmanship to repopulate the holler and maintain it's lifestyle seemed to be opposite of current trends. How many people would want to live without the convenience s of electricity, telephones, and indoor plumbing 365 days of the year?
I enjoyed the beginning of the book, starting in the 1960s. The characters were given depth. Moving on to 19 years later, with a few flashback stories that briefly explained a few key events that happened between the two periods, I think the stories lost their depth. The story romantically portrayed a back woods lifestyle in the W. Virginia mountains while glossing over hardships. Most true stories focused on people living in extreme poverty who made it out of the mountains and became successful. It was a bit like the Waltons. The concept of rebuilding vacant cabins and teaching craftsmanship to repopulate the holler and maintain it's lifestyle seemed to be opposite of current trends. How many people would want to live without the convenience s of electricity, telephones, and indoor plumbing 365 days of the year?
February 16, 2016
A sister, Alma Lee and a brother, Jacob managed to live their life in an isolated mountain hollow after their father and mother passed away until Alma Lee came down with a life threatening illness and had to leave the hollow to find a hospital.
They learned that there was another world out there. Some of the things they learned they brought back and taught the people in the hollow. Then things began to change. This is a well written story, with well defined characters and was an easy read. I enjoyed it.
They learned that there was another world out there. Some of the things they learned they brought back and taught the people in the hollow. Then things began to change. This is a well written story, with well defined characters and was an easy read. I enjoyed it.
May 2, 2015
The author described an authentic portrayal of life in West Virginia's mountains and hollars. Alma Lee, Jacob, "Granny" and Hillard reminded me of my family roots in the area. We saw a stark contrast between mountain life and the "outside". I loved Dr. Lane's willingness to learn about and accept the mountain culture. His efforts to help Alma Lee and Jacob acclimate to the 'outside" was inspiring. I appreciated the families' quest to preserve the mountain life style as a valued part of West Virginia's history. Highly recommended!
November 27, 2016
Love, community and friendship
Winder Hollar tells the story of an orphaned pair of siblings who through hard work, their love for their heritage and a helping hand from the community create a new life for themselves and the people of Winder Hollar. A beautiful narrative about mountain folk their struggles and determination to survive and eke out living, "Up in the mountains thar, just this side of heaven."
Winder Hollar tells the story of an orphaned pair of siblings who through hard work, their love for their heritage and a helping hand from the community create a new life for themselves and the people of Winder Hollar. A beautiful narrative about mountain folk their struggles and determination to survive and eke out living, "Up in the mountains thar, just this side of heaven."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews