Plum Thicket

by Janice Holt Giles

At age forty-eight-the same age as Giles at the writing of the novel--Katie Rogers recalls her first visit alone to her grandparents' home in Stanwick, Arkansas. Eight-year-old Katie spends her summer climbing the huge mulberry tree and walking with her wise grandfather, a veteran of bloody Shiloh. She is fascinated, not frightened, by the grave of an unknown child in the nearby plum thicket.

Genres: Fiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Janice Holt Giles was an American writer best known for her series of pseudo historical novels focusing on life on the American frontier, particularly within Kentucky.

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly a slow-paced description of early 20th century Arkansas told by the author who was born in 1905, so the perspective on the South and the civil war is very interesting if subtly so. Towards the end the story explodes, surprising us.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

8 year old Katie Rogers spends the summer with her grandparents in Arkansas. Although she usually spends part of the summer there with her parents, this year is different because she is sent for the entire summer. Considering the customs and mention of aging confederate soldiers, it must be the late 1800 - early 1900 years. Katie's grandfather served with the Confederacy and still retains his uniform and is instrumental in the Confederate reunion held every summer. The book opens with Katie as an adult stating she went back to Stanwick the previous year and saw the way things had changed but what was also the same. The book then is a memory of that summer and how so much changed in her life after that.
Re-read in 2017. I seem to remember that this was a book that my grandmother had read and recommended to me. Looking back through what I'd read years ago, I remembered nothing of this and decided to re-read. Fortunately, another library system in the state had a copy that I was able to reserve. It pulled me in quickly and held my attention. Although it's fiction, it's written in a way that you get a sense that Katie is processing the emotions of the memories of that time. The writing is a bit dated but it's an enjoyable read.

[Connie Huddleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book as a teenager. I am now a grandmother and am working my way through all of Giles' books one more time. The Plum Thicket captures the spirit, hopes, and times of a now forgotten way and time of life. As an author, I only wish I could create characters like Giles. If you have not read her works you are missing out on a fabulous author.

[Melissa]

The cover alone made me want it. The title alone made me want it. I like her writing style.

[Ngdecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I had it a long time, and finally got around to reading it - and then enjoyed it so much! The story was good and I especially enjoyed the style of writing.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Janice Holt Giles - this time about one summer in a young girl's life, which starts out well - idyllic, even - and spirals downward finally culminating in tragedy.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written, but I was impatient for some action. I skimmed the last third.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of her best, but okay.