Bitterroot Landing

by Sheri Reynolds

Jael hears voices. Some are real, like the voices of the others in her incest-survivor group, or the homeless woman she meets at the laundry. Some are more mysterious, like the Virgin Mary's. Jael was born into a hard life, but she's a survivor, growing stronger all the time. Waiting for the day when the only voice she needs is her own.

So I was a ward of the court, and I slept on a cot in the basement of the Pentecostal church until old River Bill, a recently widowed deacon, offered to take me in. The church lady who came to bring me food and extra clothes delivered the news. As she picked nits out of my hair, she said it was a miracle from God that a man like River Bill would take a wild girl like me to raise as his own daughter . . .

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Chick Lit, Novels, Southern, Literature

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 1994

About the author

Sheri Reynolds is an author of contemporary Southern fiction.

Sheri Reynolds was born and raised in rural South Carolina. She graduated from Conway High School in 1985, Davidson College in 1989, and Virginia Commonwealth University in 1992.

Her published novels include Bitterroot Landing, The Rapture of Canaan (an Oprah book club selection and New York Times bestseller), A Gracious Plenty (98), Firefly Cloak (06), The Sweet In-Between (08), and The Homespun Wisdom of Myrtle T. Cribb (12) and The Tender Grave (21). Her first play, Orabelle's Wheelbarrow, won the Women Playwrights' Initiative playwriting competition for 2005.

Also Professor of English and the Ruth and Perry Morgan Chair of Southern Literature at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, Sheri teaches creative writing and literature classes. She won the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council for Higher Education of Virginia in 2003. In 2005, she received a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts in playwriting. She has also taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, The College of William and Mary, and Davidson College.

Sheri lives in the town of Cape Charles on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Reviews

[Sandra Pinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm having trouble critiquing this book. It was so incredibly disturbing on a lot of levels. But somehow, I couldn't stop reading it, kind of like a train wreck! It's about a girl who is a victim of rape and incest since she was small and it's her journey to recovery, I guess you could say. I can't imagine how damaged a person would be, having gone through such horrible things, but this character was so bizarre, probably mentally ill, and some of the religious aspects were weird for me. I thought it was interesting though, how someone who has experienced so much in her life, could also seem so innocent.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books that deserve 5 stars simply because they're so fun, they make you laugh, they present an ideal version of what you'd like in your life or what you want out of the world and in the people you come in contact with. Then there are others...books that leave you exposed, vulnerable to anyone who happens to catch your eye and recognize what you're reading, what you're feeling. To accept that and allow someone else a window into your soul is probably one of the hardest things to do in life. Move a boulder up a mountain, swim in shark-infested waters or stand in front an audience without preparing for your presentation? That's nothing compared to allowing someone to see every thought and emotion, the madness that courses through you, and grant permission to let them bear witness to experiences that you'd love nothing more than to pretend never existed at all. Moments that you've begged God and yourself to please, please erase forever. This book is the latter.

Rather than diminish the story by breaking it down by an insignificant set of standards to an outline of what's acceptable, I want to instead impress upon you the beauty, the cruelty and the honesty of Ms. Reynolds story.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Warning: This review contains what I consider to be minor spoilers. If you are at all sensitive about that sort of thing, you may want to skip the middle paragraph, or refrain from reading this review.*
You know how sometimes the subject matter of a book is so horrific that the author is forced to use poetic language and imply things instead of stating them straight out because if he or she didn't, the reader would become suicidal before finishing the first chapter? This is one of those books. Unfortunately, at times, it seems as though the author is being poetic or obtuse because, "look at me and how prettily I can spin these metaphors!" That kind of thing is not my favorite. However, there were also times when the phrases just reached out and punched me in the gut with their beauty. They were beautiful like fruit is beautiful (that's a paraphrase). Another one is, "And we held each other, moving together, wordless but knowing the flavor of shoulders." Out of context, that seems a little silly, but believe me, it was breathtaking the first time I read it.
At first, I wasn't even sure what the book was about; everything was so implicit and ambiguous. I gather that Jael grew up in several abusive environments and now has to come to terms with what happened to her. She does this with very little professional help, but quite a bit of inner strength and spirituality of both the religious and earth-based varieties. I found this a little unrealistic, as I work in the mental health field. The book also ended rather abruptly, before the healing was complete. I would like to know more about Jael's experiences, particularly regarding the survivors group she may or may not have joined.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. Jael's fascinating life story, and Reynolds' mellifluous writing captivated me from beginning to end. I just wish there was more.

[Cerealflakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was between a two and a three for me. I went with three just because I liked the Rapture of Canaan by this author. This book had a depressing subject matter (incest) and the book really changed about half way through. The first half was about the main character surviving on her own and even included her living alone in the wild for a bit. After that it changed quite a bit and turned into a self help type book. This book felt like two stories to me instead of one complete story. Why did the author make such a big deal about how much the character liked to read in the first half, but we never heard another word about it in the second half?

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. It was dark and heartbreaking, but fantastic. I read it in my English Class and we spent over 3 classes discussing it and didn't even come close to covering all the possible topics. It makes you think, which is the true sign of a great book.

I know I won't ever come close to explaining how great this book is, so I'm just going to shut up now even though there is so much more I want to say.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, yet somewhat disturbing novel. Sheri Reynolds has a knack for creating hurt, scared, battered & bruised female characters and helps them find their voice in their new lives. Jael is a lovable woman whose childhood was worse than evil. Though she may seem crazy, the voices she hears in her life (whether real or imagined) help her find her own independence and face the evils that once haunted her.

[Ken · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Sheri Reynolds. She definitely breathed life back into southern fiction, but... this is the only book of hers that i didn't like. The main character is just a hair's breath from being like Jody Foster in the film, Nell. She murders her grandmother,she cuts and disfigures herself when she's living in the wild by the river, the candles and statues talk to her the church where she works as a cleaning lady and she attempts a relationship with a carpenter. A very odd book.

[Kayli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I was heartbroken through the whole first half, and completely shocked by the third page, but I was also heartened. Bitterroot Landing follows a woman who was unbelievably abused as a child as she finds it within herself to claim what she wants out of life. The book is very powerful, and leaves the reader in awe of human strength against adversity.

[Michelle Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first, this book seemed intriguing and interesting, but just ended up weird. I can't say that I hated this book, but I cannot say I liked it either. True, I did read it quickly, which says a lot, but somewhere in the middle with all the rambling, and hallucinations, and the church, it just lost me. Read for yourself, and tell me what you think.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to think in the beginning. I didn't feel connected to Jael, the protagonist, or any of the characters, but I was entranced by the beautiful prose in places. A third of the way through, I felt connected and entranced. It's not an easy story, it's not a pretty story but it was beautifully told.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly imaginative story, unlike anything I have ever read. There is beauty to be found in Jael's escape from abuse to her self-discovery and finally, a return to the place she lived in the wild to face her past and to allow herself to continue her healing journey in the future.

[Stacye · Rating 5 out of 5]

A achingly beautiful, disturbing, and redeeming read. A story like none I’ve ever read with character development so rich I could see and smell them. Like riding a roller coaster through a swamp. Just wonderful!

[Valerie Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning this book is from beginning to end triggers for sexual abuse.

[Sandy Carmichael · Rating 1 out of 5]

not my kind of story. too depressing.

[Terry Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth of Sheri Reynold's books I've read and I've thoroughly enjoyed every one of them.

[Janice Workman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept my attention. Some difficult subjects, but it lead into ways to cope.

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting through this book. As it got closer to the end, it seemed tO be going someplace good. I was wrong. Bad ending.

[AudreyAnn C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book twice. I loved it both times. I love the way Ms Reynolds uses her words to help her readers feel what’s happening in the story. Be prepared to read it straight through🥰📚

[Ashton Wilpiszeski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly compelling.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is a generous rating and there are two reasons why I didn't give it only one star: the poetic language and the fact that this book was short. Yes, this book is centered around a disturbing subject, but that is not the reason for the low rating. I've read much worse and wasn't 'turned off'. I get that the weirdness factor was part of the book, but seriously, there is a limit and the limit was bypassed much too quickly. I'm not speaking about the voices (that's no spoiler, the voices are described on the book jacket), I'm talking about other weirdness (which I won't mention because that would be a spoiler). I normally love a good victim and while I did like the main character with the unusual name of Jael, I just never felt connected to her in any way shape or form (the over-the-top weirdness factor). Don't get me wrong, I like weird. I love weird, but there should be a limit in a book that you're supposed to be taking seriously.

I wanted to know how this book would end and so I kept reading. The ending was severely disappointing even though I know I wasn't supposed to think so.

[Mendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this book not even two hours into my trip! This book was very intense and the characters were so well written. I think this book would be a great book for a reading club!

Ok I started this book the day before yesterday and am more than half way through! I can't put it down. Of course I have to wait till all my kids go to bed so I am reading till the early morning,Ok midnight but since one of my children get up with the roosters that is really late for me!!!! I am loving it! I will finish it tomorrow on my 8 hour drive for sure!!!

LOVED The Rapture of Canaan when I read it 10 years ago. I read it and loved it before Oprah! I didn't know she had written anything else! So excited to find this at Half Price Books. Hey I should be on a comercial for them!

[Brynaleh · Rating 4 out of 5]

By turns non-believable, bizarre, funny, endearing, and heart-wrenching... this is a tale of an incest and child sexual abuse survivor who grew up in isolation and is trying to heal while finding her sense of place in the world. It is about how we find (or don't find) a sense of safety in our bodies. As with Sheri Reynolds' other books (at least the ones I've read) the character hears the voices of non-living beings/objects, started to grate on my nerves eventually in this case, unlike in "A Gracious Plenty" where it fit in perfectly with the narrative. I guess you'd classify this book as "magical realism Southern incest and recovery feminist fiction" ;-P Another page-turner from Sheri Reynolds.

[Jenee Rager · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Sheri Reynolds, in fact over the past few years she has become one of my favorite authors. I also think that the topic of this book makes for great reading. Yet somewhere along the way, things got lost and it just didn't do it for me. The flashbacks Jael experiences are written as if you were experiencing them, a neat trick, but also VERY confusing. There is a particular scene where Jael meets a man at the laundry mat that after rereading several times I still couldn't figure out what had happened. Again, not a bad book, but still not a great or easy to read novel by any means.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first of my three favorite Sheri Reynolds books. I read this many years ago and still remember reading the first sentence and how the protagonist's voice was instantly clear in my head saying, with a slight southern accent, "For as long as I can remember, I've searched for things to worship - bits of rocks, storm fronts, bugs with glitter on their wings". I could hear her voice in my head. The tale is serious...abuse and abandonment, but told so lyrically and gradually uplifting to survival and renewal. A very beautiful story told so very, very well.

[Shelly♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was absolutely bizarre. I thought the writing was good - detailed, engaging, but I just couldn't get by how weird the main character was. I kept thinking it would get better and it just didn't for me. I normally love tormented characters, who seem to grow on you, but Jael never made the endearing jump into my heart. She just seemed very sad and tortured - even as she seemed to find her redemption.

[John Carenen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel, one of Sheri Reynolds' first, provides the story of a young woman who, from childhood, has been the victim of molestation, rape, and a virtual kidnapping. Jael's story is filled with scars - physical, sexual, psychological, emotional - yet through a vivid imagination and coping skills that are understandable, she endures and prevails. The pain is intense, but Reynolds guides the reader in a way that makes it all at least a bit bearable, and Jael's healing is a thing of beauty.

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was difficult to read, not because of the writing, that was actually pretty good, but because of the subject matter. I couldn't stop reading this book, but at times I had to put it down and just process some of the stuff I had just read. Sometimes I wish the author had gone into more detail with some things, other times I was glad she did not. Anyway, interesting, but difficult story.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love when my (very soon-to-be) sister-in-law lends me books.

The protagonist in this story is an abused young girl who lives on the swampy riverside alone for an extended period of time. When she reenters society, she can hardly function. And the tale moves forward with her readjusting to "normalcy."

Strange and provocative. I liked it.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheri Reynolds has a real talent for capturing the southern flavor of small town living. This definitely qualifies and crosses over into some other world with it's magical influences and safe places for this little girl. It's easy to see this is one of early books though, it's a lot less mainstream then her more recent books. Worth a read.