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 his mistress, his job, his Hummer, and his wife. On his way to look over some free furniture at the home of Professor Phil McGranahan, an elderly great-uncle in tiny Union, West Virginia, Wayne’s life turns even more wretched when he sustains immobilizing injuries and is forced to stay for awhile.Through family lore recounted by Uncle Phil, Wayne finds that his troubles, as well as his recovery process, mirror those of his great-great-great-great grandfather, Andrew Jackson McGranahan, Confederate veteran of the War Between The States, whose likeness was memorialized by grateful townspeople in a statue that stands today in a cow pasture at the end of Main Street.Union, WV is the story of healing and redemption in contemporary Appalachia.

245 pages, Kindle Edition

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.