Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia

by Sandra L. Ballard (Editor), Patricia L. Hudson (Editor)

Appalachia continues to produce some of our country’s finest writers. The region’s rich oral tradition feeds a strong literature—fiction, poetry, and memoir—shaped by the mountains of Appalachia but universal in scope. The work of women writers is particularly noteworthy. Despite the uncertainties of jobs and of homes, several generations of women writers have earned critical and national acclaim. But because their work is sometimes regarded as purely of regional interest, acquiring this artistic bounty oftentimes can be difficult. Listen Women Writing in Appalachia is a landmark anthology that brings together the work of 105 Appalachian women writers, including Dorothy Allison, Harriette Simpson Arnow, Annie Dillard, Nikki Giovanni, Denise Giardina, Barbara Kingsolver, Jayne Anne Phillips, Janice Holt Giles, George Ella Lyon, Sharyn McCrumb, and Lee Smith. Editors Sandra L. Ballard and Patricia L. Hudson offer a diverse sampling of time periods and genres, established authors and emerging voices. From regional favorites to national bestsellers, this unprecedented gathering of Appalachian voices displays the remarkable talent of the region’s women writers who’ve made their mark at home and across the globe.

Genres: Nonfiction, Womens, Short Stories, Literature, Writing

608 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2003

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good introduction to quite a number of largely forgotten or neglected women writers from Appalachia or writers who lived adult lives in Appalachia writing Appalachian themes. There is a very nice introduction explaining the general perception of writers from the area. They are frequently perceived as fringe writers with no place in legitimate American literature. Stereotypes can be very persistent, for instance, they’re a bunch of hillbillies writing about moonshiners. It is a problem to this day. This collection brings together women writers from the 18th century through the late 20th. Unfortunately it is now 20 years old and could use an update. The two editors chose to arrange the pieces alphabetically by author last name and I think a chronological arrangement would have made more sense.

I began a list of authors to check out but found that many are no longer in print and often not available to me even through inter-library loan, and I live near Appalachia. I’d put that down to old prejudices against these regional writers. My favorites tended to be the ones writing before the 1970s who had close ties to the really tough times. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry and bits of plays are included.

[Dan Ream · Rating 5 out of 5]

This encyclopedia of Appalachian women writers is an impressive work in its scope and depth, containing both helpful biographical introductions and well-chosen excerpts of each author’s best work. Not only were the descriptions of writers I already knew quite good, but this work has also helped me identify at least ten ( new to me) writers whose writing I want to read more of. Highly recommended!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and informational

[summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many hidden gems that I would have never found without reading this anthology. What a wonderful service to the world to build a collection of Appalachian womens' writing.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it is ten years old, this is a wonderful introduction to Appalachian Women writers. Some I knew, but many were a revelation. A good mix of poetry and prose, it is a wide cross-section of Appalachian literature. I also loved the biographical sketches--just enough information to make me want to learn more about these authors and their works.

[Melissa]

a gift from Peter

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice collection. Some essays, some short stories, some chapters from books. Left me wanting to read more from these writers!

[Rita Quillen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important collection bringing together diverse female voices....a great service to the region