On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

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I definitely want to read this one, but not sure when I can start. I had to request an interlibrary loan, and sometimes they take their time arriving.

I've started re-reading, slowly.

My ILL is "in transit" so I'm hoping to start soon.

Great. I hope it's worth the wait!

Just now catching up on this month's winners. I've already read 'A Gathering Of Old Men' (5 stellar stars) and 'Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter' (4 excellent stars) with this group, but am unfamiliar with 'Once These Hills' and Chris McGinley. My library did not have either a digital or a print copy for this one, but Kindle has it for $5.99. So I'm in. It sounds like a heck of a gritty ride. Hope to start tomorrow.

That's great, Wyndy. It's a shame that it's not more readily available.

If the ILL hadn't come through, Kindle was my next option.

Finally picked this up at my library and plan to get started tomorrow.

I'll have to say once the action starts in this one, it is relentless. Read 100 pages this afternoon and will put it aside til tomorrow. The Road by John Ehle also uses the building of the railroad up the mountain as a theme, using convicts as free labor.

Yeah I think McGinley is tipping his hat to John Ehle.
Burr Hollis is something else though.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm also sensing a tip of the hat to Wayne Caldwell and Cataloochee. People being forced out of their homes for the railroad and the loggers. Lots of mountain lore in this one.

That's interesting. I really need to read Cataloochee. I have a copy just haven't got to it yet. Duely noted.

Cataloochee people were forced out by the building of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the 1930's, but the end result was the same, displacement of homes to the towns and lowlands of NC. It's one of my favorite Appalachian novels.

I'm not that far into this one yet but characters mean everything to me, and Lydia and Clytie have already won me over. The "bog woman" reminds me of Peter Maye's 'The Lewis Man.' Curious to see where this lady takes us. The writing so far is excellent!

Clytie is one of a kind, isn't she? Lydia is a younger version of her. I love the way these people stick together.

There are some strong female characters in the story, which I really like. Clytie is one the person you want stood next to you when trouble starts.
There's also a great sense of place in the mountains.

Dave, you've done it again. I finished and will say more in final impressions.

I'm interested in reading this one too. But am having trouble getting hold of it. Still looking.

I think I have found an ebook copy on Everand. They were hiding it from me and wont let me have it until 25th July. So I will read it then.

Good work Cordelia. It really is worth looking for, but I'm not familiar with Everand.

Good on you for persevering, Cordelia. It'll be worth the effort and the wait.