In Search of Nell

by B.G. Musick

Born into a world beyond her understanding, Mercy is confused by her childhood experiences of abandonment, neglect, and abuse. She stubbornly questions the cultural expectations and gender inequality for women during the 1960s. Although she struggles with insecurities, she learns to bravely navigate her own destiny and persists in overcoming insurmountable odds. Despite her rigid upbringing, Mercy dreams of a life beyond her beloved Appalachian Mountains, as well as a life-long commitment to locate her birth mother.

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2017

Reviews

[Betsy Dickenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could be called the Appalachian version of Angela's Ashes. I feel sorrow that Mercy had to endure what she did and was such a good actress that we never knew. I went to school with her, grew up in Back Valley also, knew many of the people mentioned but my childhood was worlds away from Mercy's experience. I have admiration for her having the strength to persevere, and eventually make a good life for herself, in spite of all the almost insurmountable obstacles thrown in her way. She beat the odds.
This is a book that will haunt me.


It took a lot of courage to write Mercy's story, but then we know if there's one thing she has, it's courage. KUDOS!

[kimc · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daddy was the youngest of 13 children raised in the hills of eastern KY in the 40s and 50s. The first chapters of In Search of Nell describe a family that could have been my own, and it made me sad. Fortunately, I was drawn into Mercy's life and had to know what happened to her. The author's description of Granny's house was eerily similar to my Mamaw's house. The well, the water bucket, the wake, the rooms, the eating order were parts of the culture just as I remember as a six year old girl. It's a sad story, but a story of great strength and determination.