SISTERS: Hard Times & Brave Women

by Sam Bledsoe

Three sisters grew up in a family of seven in rural Eastern Kentucky during the Great Depression. Their father was a coal miner earning barely enough money for his family to survive. His backbreaking job working in the mines left him depleted and beaten down. Their mother, bitter and unhappy with her own drab life and sternly religious, treated them harshly. They wore rough homemade clothes and often went hungry. Their home life was chaotic and abusive. By the time they were teenagers, they realized they couldn’t depend on anyone—not even their own parents—so they learned to manage on their own. With no more than fourth grade educations, no job skills and no money, their only option was to find a husband. They faced overwhelming odds but they were determined to escape the cycle of poverty in which they were born. This is the story of three young women who rose to the challenge of finding love and security during hard times and the men who loved them.

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2021

Reviews

[Arthur Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me. Given the title, plus pre-read information that the book was biographical in nature, I guessed the contents would trend to a boring one-sided perspective. Not so at all. I was very pleasantly surprised and found myself engaged from beginning to end. Despite adherence to biographical intent, the work read like a good novel, seasoned with totally appropriate dialog. Being truthful, the plot was solid and the characters were well-developed. During the coal-mining heydays in deep Appalachia (eastern Kentucky and western Virginia), especially during the Great Depression, life was hardscrabble from beginning to end. Author Bledsoe captures this essence beautifully, as a simple fact—no wild-eyed elaboration or make-nice about it. When I read it, I couldn’t stop: I was right there, living their hardships with them. A genealogical tree immediately after the Prologue was very helpful, and I dog-eared that to facilitate cross-checking relationships. So far, author Sam Bledsoe has been better known for strong science fiction. But with this book, he demonstrates his expertise in an entirely new direction: it is absolutely well worth reading.

[Leoma Gilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this biography of Bledsoe’s mother and her two sisters, the author tells an engrossing story of life in eastern Kentucky in the 30s and 40s. These were desperate times as coal companies made huge profits at the expense of the miners and their families. It is all too easy to gloss over these issues of abuse, but this narrative forces us to see the reality of having too little. The effect of hopelessness and despair on the lives of Bledsoe’s grandfather and grandmother clearly affects the whole family. Education takes a backseat to survival. The sisters in this story learn that they must fend for themselves because no one else can or will. They brave all kinds of challenges to gain the security and safety they have longed for throughout their lives. This book is a testament to the power of determination and courage.

[Susan Kite · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took biographical information and brought to life a portrayal of three women born in the Appalachian coal country that is still known for being a depressed part of the country. These women grew up during the Depression with nothing but their determination to do better and to make something of themselves. And they did. Honestly and lovingly told by one of the sons, it was a hard book to put down. The only issue had nothing to do with the story, but with the kindle formatting. The pictures and some of the text were off kilter when I read it on my phone. I wasn't going to take anything off for that because that is something that can be fixed. The writing still shone through with love...

[Gayle Curtin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a tribute to the author's mother and aunts and is an acknowledgment of their very rough upbringing in Kentucky. They were not well educated and seemed desperate to escape from their impoverished hometown as quickly as possible. Their mistakes along the way, in large part due to their precipitous decisions, created more drama than they might have suffered otherwise. However, they were hard workers and eventually found love and happiness. While this book focuses on three women, it could probably be the story of thousands more who faced difficulties in mid-century U.S. Perhaps just like 'your' mother's story.

[Judy Egner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle says it all: Hard Times & Brave Women. Though many actual details are lost in time, the author pulls together what he knows and relates this history so vividly that we feel we're there. The three women, very different in personalities and ages, were best friends throughout their difficult lives. They lived through many tough times and endured rough treatment from other family members, but they all had successful lives in the end. A loving celebration from a son and nephew.

[Cyn Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I began this book I had no idea the author would be so forthright in his depiction of personal family history. The three sisters lived incredibly hard lives, as I'm sure did many in that time period. I appreciate that Bledsoe would take the time to reveal how these three incredible women worked to overcome the obstacles in their lives.
Highly recommend.

[Ginny Thurston · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seemed more like a rough outline rather than a complete book. It jumped around and seemed disjointed.There were some errors in it as well such as spelling and grammar. It did emphasize the difficulty of being a woman in a man’s world.