Fleuringala

by M.K.B. Graham

Abandoned by her no-count mother in a rundown shack on the outskirts of Lauderville, Virginia, seven-year-old Ruby Glory is alone. Her only friend and sole companion is her faithful dog, Arly. Then along comes Tack, the teenage son of Lauderville's prominent and well-heeled Pittman family. Despite his sincere desire to help Ruby, Tack learns quickly that no good deed goes unpunished. His involvement with the child of a women of ill-repute sends his family and the citizens of Lauderville into a frenzy of rumors and gossip, presenting Tack with a dilemma. Will the uproar spell the end for the mismatched friends—or set in motion opportunities that Tack and Ruby could only imagine?

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 8, 2021

About the author

M.K.B. Graham, a lifelong Virginian, writes literary fiction, historical fiction, and short stories set in Western Virginia where her family roots run deep, stretching back to the 1700s. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Graham has worked as a staff and freelance writer for several Virginia universities. The author who lives and writes in the beautiful and historic Shenandoah Valley is fascinated by old houses, earlier eras, particularly the 1930s and 1940s, and the influence of families on history, much of which informs her writing.

Reviews

[Olga Miret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I write this review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team, and I freely chose to review an ARC copy of this novel.
Although M. K. B. Graham had submitted her first novel to Rosie’s team a few years back, I somehow missed it then, but I’m very pleased to have discovered this gem now. What a gorgeous read!
The novel is listed under the categories of ‘historical fiction’ and ‘coming of age fiction’ and they are both appropriate. The story is set in the late 1930s and early 40s, mostly in Virginia, a setting that the author knows well and several generations of her family have grown in. The protagonists (Tack [he is called Albert, like his Dad, but from the beginning it proved difficult to share the name, and he became known as Tack], and Ruby) live plenty of adventures, many together and some separately, but Lauderville and the rest of the settings they visit play almost as important a part as they do, and the book excels at making readers feel as if they were totally immersed in the experience, walking the streets, smelling the aromas, touching the fabrics, seeing the colours, and talking to the inhabitants of the town, and later, of Suwanalee (North Carolina), Charleston, and Fleuringala (yes, the title comes from a property and its quasi-magical gardens), and although some of those are fictional, it is evident that their creation has been inspired by real small towns and by a period of history that might feel far off, but it not as distant some things haven’t changed as much as we’d like to believe.
This is Tack’s coming of age story, although Rudy does a lot of growing as well (but she is much younger and still a child as we leave her). He graduates from high school, gets his first car, gets his first job (and that causes upset with his father, as he wanted him to carry on with the family business, because he is the only boy in a family of girls, and the youngest), and eventually gets to move away from home, live independently, and takes on the responsibility of looking after another human being. I don’t want to summarise the whole novel here and leave readers with no surprises, but the story brought to my mind some of the classics in the genre, like Huckleberry Finn (mentioned in the book as well), To Kill a Mockingbird (although here, poverty, lack of social standing, and behaviours that are not considered ‘socially acceptable or in good taste’ are the cause behind much of the discrimination and suffering that ensues, rather than race, which does not feature in the book), and others like Little Women, a big favourite of mine. Tack is a young man, of course, but his selfless behaviour and the way he cares for others place the focus of the novel in characteristics other than those that tend to be more common in coming of age novels whose central characters are male, which often focus on the quest motif, adventures and dangers. Yes, Tack experiences plenty of those as well (they come across many obstacles, moments of self-doubt, and terrible trials), but not just out of a thirst for adventure or a desire to become independent and go looking for freedom. Those things also happen, but seem to be the unintended consequences of the interest he takes in Ruby and her welfare.
There are elements of the fairy tale as well (Fleuringala and its owner made me think of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Selfish Giant,’ minus the religious symbolism), and as would be the case in a fairy tale, there are characters that play the part of fairy godmothers (several in fact), out-and-out villains (Ruby’s mother, Gilda, although one has to wonder at how she might have been like, had her circumstances been different; Tack’s older sister; the car man [a true monster]...), there are magical castles/gardens, animal companions and defenders (Arly is a hero), something close to a miracle transformation, happy coincidences aplenty, and yes a HEA ending as well (with a final surprises, although I had my suspicions about that). Some of the characters seem to be larger than life, as if a caricaturist had emphasised their features for laughter or to bring them to our attention, but they all (or most) have their human side. Don’t think that means this is a book that deals in light and fluffy subjects. Far from it. Even though this is not the typical story about the dark side of small America, where behind the veneer of civilization festers an underbelly of crime and corruption, we can still find child abuse and neglect, a horrific scene where Ruby is in terrible danger (well, two, but quite different in nature), plenty of prejudice, gossip (oh, those Mavens), and a good deal of suffering and disappointment. But, fear not, there are moments of comic relief (Maxine is wonderful if a bit over the top and I quite appreciate her friend Ira as well; Albert had his moments; and I loved Francine’s Beauty Parlor and the goings on there), plenty of smiles and happy events, beautiful descriptions of places, and a gorgeous rendering of the language of the people, turns of phrases, and local sayings and idioms. And, Ruby. The little girl is a light that shines through the whole story, (almost) always optimistic, willing to think the best of people and to give everybody a second chance. She is a transformative force, and she changes all she meets for the better.
I’ve mentioned the beautiful language and writing. The story is written in the third person, from an omniscient point of view, which, although I know some readers don’t appreciate, I felt that in this case it worked well to bring us closer to all the characters and to make us appreciate what moves them and what they are really like. It also foreshadows what is to come, giving us hints and insights, and preparing us in advance for both good and bad news. Most of the story follows chronologically the events from the moment Tack sees Ruby from the first time, although there are some chapters where it provides background information about some of the other characters, allowing readers to get a clearer picture of where they are coming from and helping us get a clearer understanding of their reactions, their behaviours, turning it into something of a collective narrative, and not only the story of the two main characters. We might or might not like some of the people we meet, but we get to understand them a bit better.
I highlighted plenty of sentences and full paragraphs as I read, and I’ll follow my usual policy of recommending possible readers to check a sample of the book if they can, but I’ll share a couple of random examples, to give you a taste:
All Tack knew was that here in Lauderville, a little town tucked in the bumpy toe of Virginia as close to Tennessee as a blanket is to a sheet, the winters were cold, the springs and autumns were nice, and the summers could be pleasant —or hot as Hades. Like today.
Here, talking about the Maven’s behaviour at Francine’s Beauty Parlor:
They shamelessly, deliberately, and corporately encouraged Gilda the way a child is prodded to repeat a dirty word. That she could run her mouth faster and louder than an un-muffled Chevy only added to her appeal. And with her ability to spin an innuendo faster than a frog can snatch a fly, she entertained the Mavens who would not miss it for anything short of the funeral of a close relative—although not one among them would admit it. Everybody around her sat and listened, assured that their own stations in life were considerably loftier than Gilda’s.
I have mentioned the ending, and yes, I’m sure it won’t disappoint readers. I felt sad for losing sight of the characters, but the ending is pretty perfect, in the way the best fairy tales and happy novels can be, especially when the characters have gone through so much. It’s easy to imagine what their lives will be like from then on, and the outlook is excellent.
This is a wonderful novel, and I enjoyed it enormously. It is not realistic and gritty in the standard sense, but if I had to include any warnings, as I’d mentioned before there is a scene that is fairly explicit and terrifying, and another one that will cause heartache to most readers who love pets; and child abuse and neglect are important themes in the story. Of course, if one thinks of classic fairy tales, they are not mild or non-violent, can be terrifying, and often feature abuse, neglect, abandonment, cruel behaviours and worse. I wouldn’t recommend this novel to people looking for a hard and totally realistic account of life in 1930s small town America, but readers looking for a magical story, with wonderful characters, a strong sense of place, the nostalgic feel of an era long gone, and beautiful writing peppered with local expressions and idioms, will love this novel. I can’t wait to see what the author with delight us with, next.

[PSG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not very often—maybe one book in one hundred—do I close the cover after finishing the book and just say “Wow!”. Fleuringala is that book! I found myself hoping it was based on real events because I loved the characters, especially the unlikely hero of the story, a seventeen-year-old boy, Tack Pittman. Over the course of a year, Tack’s endearing and unrelenting humanity leads him through one “adventure” after another to provide for, and keep safe, a discarded and neglected little girl, Ruby. With her only friend in the world, a loyal dog who never leaves her side, Ruby has fallen through the cracks and she will not survive—that’s the harsh reality of her life at age seven. How, in 1938, does a boy just out of high school himself end up taking responsibility for Ruby, and how does he manage it? That’s where the magic and allure of the story lies. I don’t want to giveaway any of the details, but as this story unfolded, I found myself completely caught up in the drama—as if I was living it myself. The scenes are so authentic that at times I was actually nodding my head up and down as I read. The characters are incredibly real, and watching them evolve through the story’s timeline is another wonderful element of the novel. I cried more than once, and laughed for joy at the end of the book, which I read over the course of three days. I found Fleuringala on par with some of the best historic novels written about the south (think The Help, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, Driving Miss Daisy) and I hope this book is discovered because it would make an incredible movie.

[Luanne Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read MKB Graham's first book, "Cairnaerie," I thought this author must be a one-book wonder, that any subsequent book she published would pale in comparison. Boy was I wrong!

"Fleuringala" is a pull-back-the-covers look into human nature -- Flannery O'Connor style -- all while weaving a riveting story of the power of love. It contains elements of mystery, humor, loss and ultimately, redemption. Her characters are, like all of us, conflicted in their choices and motives.

I love her use of metaphor to paint pictures, such as, "... a little town tucked into the bumpy toe of Virginia as close to Tennessee as a blanket is to a sheet" and "Each time someone spoke do him, Tack nodded, mumbled, and dipped his hands in his pockets before fading back against a tent pole or fence post, the way a walking stick disappears against the bark of a tree." These are scattered judiciously throughout the book.

Numerous times throughout my reading I was surprised to feel tears running down my face or to pause and ponder a scene.

I read a lot of books over the year-plus of the COVID lockdown, some by well-known authors. This book is among the best.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fleuringala's relatively short chapters tempt the reader to enjoy the novel in "dabs and slivers" a la rich potato salad and icebox pie, but I was glad for the opportunity to read Mrs. Graham's second book in larger installments. Her insights into human nature, coupled with a significant positive outlook on life, make for a compelling story populated with flawed people in heartbreaking situations. Her main characters, Ruby Glory and Tack Pittman, are an unlikely duo. Their adventures will leave the reader with a renewed belief in the power of authentic friendship. But a few tears are in store for the reader, as well. Fleuringala is a beautifully written book to savor while reading and to mull once finished. You will care about Ruby, Tack and all the other people with connections to Lauderville.

[Gayle Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha B. Graham is a storyteller extraordinaire. Rich with description and filled with original similes, Graham makes her characters’ in Fleuringala shine with realism, easily identified by the reader. It takes place in the 1930’s south and the characters are very believable with their dialect and atmospheric small-town setting. Graham’s descriptive writing style is a delight, and the reader feels as if they are immersed in the story. If you are looking for a read that will transport you to another time and place, I highly recommend Fleuringala.

[Jean Kilby · Rating 5 out of 5]

With exquisite craftsmanship, the author brings to life an unlikely cast of characters, capturing the indomitable spirit of the heroine, young abandoned Ruby Glory, who impacts the lives of those in her orbit in deeply poignant ways. The delightfully satirical and often heart-wrenching prose celebrates forgiveness and redemption and--above all--second chances. Fleuringala is aptly named.

[John Riddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book that I’ve read from this author , hard to put down. Well worth reading and can’t wait for her next book.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title, Fleuringala, captured my attention. I wondered what or where Flueringala was. As I read along, I was anxiously looking for the first reference to the title. Then I found it. Then as I continued to read I wondered, would Fleuringala play a more prominent role in the story? I was not disappointed!
This is a wonderful coming of age story taking place in the south during the 1930s with places and characters that were memorable and well-developed. The author accurately captured the dialect of the time and place and, along with her detailed and vivid descriptions, made the story play in my head like a film. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Tack, Ruby, Maxine, Mrs. Shockley, and many other of the story’s entertaining and quirky characters. I recognized the Mavens, too. After all, most little towns have them! As in all good stories, the characters create moments tender, amusing, sorrowful, distressing, but ultimately hopeful.
Graham’s writing style is rich with description; the dialogue full of southern expression which felt fluid and authentic, never forced. Here’s a few gems:
“… a little town tucked into the big toe of Virginia as close to Tennessee as a blanket is to a sheet,…”
“That she could run her mouth faster and louder than an un-muffled Chevy only added to her appeal.”
“It was a polite river, running slowly, wandering through soft loams that invited the water to choose its course.”
Like the polite river, this story follows its own course, not meandering nor rushing, to a full and satisfying conclusion. A great read to savor and enjoy!