She Walks These Hills
by Sharyn McCrumb
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Read in April, 2008
A number of books on my currently-reading list are en route to the library I use, so I picked this one up off my snack pile to read in the mean time. (Snack pile: a stack of second-hand books I haven't read yet that seem like entertaining quick-reads.) Noticing other Goodreads reviews, I was intrigued and did a bit of digging online. Behold the power of learning more about the thing you're reading: http://www.sharynmccrumb.com. Know...more
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I read this book for our book club at our library. We all agreed that it was a pretty good book. This book is about many different people and their connection to each other. You have a 63 year old escaped convict, a female dispatcher who wants to be a deputy, a ghost, a history professor who tries to walk the 200 year old trail of a girl who escaped the indians, an old woman who has
"the sight", a radio dj who tries to solve an old murder, and many more. Some might say she has too ma...more
"the sight", a radio dj who tries to solve an old murder, and many more. Some might say she has too ma...more
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Read in November, 2006
"Haunting story" seems very apt to me. There's almost a melancholy feeling to this story. Harm's loss of freedom and so much more, Rita's prison of a marriage, Katie Wyler still walking home 100 years later, and LeDonne continuing to suffer from what he experienced in Vietnam.
With family from the mountains of NC, I've been to or through quite a bit of the area this story is set in, so it was interesting reading about places I've been. McCrumb is definitely a gifted storyteller and I'm...more
With family from the mountains of NC, I've been to or through quite a bit of the area this story is set in, so it was interesting reading about places I've been. McCrumb is definitely a gifted storyteller and I'm...more
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Read in July, 2008
I'm not a big fan of the crime/suspense variety, but this book transcends its genre to become literary fiction. It's character-driven rather than plot-driven and perfectly captures the feel of Appalachian Tennessee, where the past is as real as what's in the newspaper this morning. The author's style is lyrical and highly engaging, and she treats her characters and the cultural history of the region with sensitivity and respect. A truly outstanding and complex psychological novel that makes me...more
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Read in January, 2008
This book is a story of treks through the hills of Appalachia, both literal and figurative in search of self; the stories of several people wind together from the distant past, past and present as several mysteries unfold. You really get a sense of the region and times. I found the characterizations interesting and hated putting the book down.
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I'll admit to having been disappointed when McCrumb segued into her NASCAR books, but understand the desire to evolve. Of her many ballad books I loved this one most because of the way that she wove together the history, the mystery and the ghost stories. Beautifully written and a well made statement about women's roles in the past and present.
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I love all of McCrumb's ballad series. Not necessarily the best writing, nor the most intriguing mysteries, but the way that she weaves together the stories behind each of the folk ballads with the modern-time happenings is just...magic to me.
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Read in January, 2007
I hadn't read a mystery novel in a long time. Theya ren't really my thing, although this one was pretty good, until the end. The ending left me dissatisfied, like the author suddenly got tired of the plot and just tried to get through the last 50 pages as quickly as possible. A bit of a disappointment...
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This was my Common Book at Otterbein College. I think they wanted us to think this was grander literature than it actually is. It's a nice enough mystery, but nothing more than entertainment, really. No deep thoughts about it. (Even though we--as students--had to pretend there was at the time...)
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Ok, another sort of historical fiction revolving around the Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains. During the settlement times before the civil war. Most of her novels are based on historical facts and women. Each chapter switches back and forth from present day fiction and history pseudo fiction...
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Read in October, 2004
McCrumbs storytelling is superb, and the story to be told was intriguing and suspenseful. Much more than a simple 'ghost story', I was drawn in by the rich fabric of the characters and the well woven spin with which McCrumb connects those characters...very much worth the time to read!
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Read in January, 2001
recommends it for:
Anyone interested in American history
An absolutely charming story about Appalachia, weaving history together with the present and giving a gorgeous portrait of life in one of the oldest and untouched parts of America.
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Read in October, 1997
Read this for an English class while in college, to compare the allegories in modern lit verses traditional cannon lit. Can't remember them but this book made me a fan of the Ballad Novels by McCrumb. One of the only things my professor did that stuck with 10 years later.
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This puts a realistic picture of Appalachian life for us who might want to think of it romantically.
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Read in January, 1998
This book is my favorite of Sharyn McCrumb's ballad novels. She does such an excellent job of weaving together historical events and characters with contemporary events. Awesome!
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More somber than the other two McCrumb's I've read but more atmosphere in trade. Still very enjoyable and very likely to make you want to hike the Appalachians.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in January, 1985
recommended to Linda by:
a friendrecommends it for: anyone
It was a very moving book about murder, kidnapping and it was suspenseful. It hints of being on the gothic side but then has questions about that. Great read.
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in March, 1998
Another good read by an excellent writer. I didn't quite enjoy it as much as the previous one, but I'd still recommend it for the writing alone.
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Read in January, 2000
recommends it for:
myster lovers; Sharyn McCrumb fans; ballad and folklore lovers; Appalachian lit. readers
A more complex book, in terms of point of view and narratival authority, than The Ballad of Frankie Silver. Good book, fun to read.
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