Supernatural Fiction Readers discussion

Has anyone in this group read any of the novels in Sharyn McCrumb's Ballad series? If so, have you ever thought of any of them as supernatural fiction? The series as a whole is mostly general fiction, bringing the culture and problems of modern Appalachia to life, and several of the books have elements related to the mystery genre. But mountain wisewoman Nora Bonesteel also has "the Sight;" and several of the books feature real ghosts who interact with the living and affect the plot in significant ways. That's the case with She Walks These Hills, The Ballad of Frankie Silver, and The Songcatcher, and it's a particularly marked theme in Ghost Riders.

Hi Werner,

I read two of the ballad series books long ago: Rosewood Casket and The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, I think I liked the latter better.

For me, a book with a psychic character fits my definition of a supernatural novel.

I own Ghost Riders but haven't yet cracked it open. Do you recommend Ghost Riders?

Yes, Deb, I'd definitely recommend Ghost Riders. (In fact, I'd recommend all of the Ballad series novels, except the first one, If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O; that was a bit too angst-drenched for my taste, but McCrumb hit her stride with the second one.) It alternates between narratives set in the present and in the Civil War era (and the years before and after), so it's a blend of contemporary general fiction and historical fiction. And the titular ghost riders in the present are quite real (and potentially lethal).

Cool! I'll move Ghost Riders up the tbr list.

Hope you like it, Deb!

I've read quite a lot of Sharyn's books and consider her a friend. She gave me my first cover blurb. She's a remarkable woman as well as writer! And she's true to the Appalachian spirit.

Here's a link to an interview I did with her back in 1999! http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/ghostw...

Scott, thanks for that link! That's a genuinely interesting interview (especially for writers or would-be writers, but for ordinary readers as well), and McCrumb makes some really good points there. I'm a longtime resident of Appalachia myself, and my wife was born and raised here, so I appreciate someone who's trying to depict the region faithfully and sympathetically. (As she notes, "Deliverance wasn't a documentary"! :-) )

That was a good interview. Thanks, Scott.

Glad you enjoyed it, Jim and Werner!

Nice article. I especially enjoyed her anecdote about page seventy as it relates to writers and marriage partners.

I read a couple of her books on the advice of Cassie and enjoyed them very much. I hope to read more of them.

Ghost Riders
She Walks These Hills