Winner-Kentucky Novel of the Year, 2003
Winner-Award for Special Achievement from Fellowship of Southern
Writers
Nominee-Southern Book Critics ...
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reviews
Sep 19, 2011
Thomas
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Reading Silas House’s writing is akin to visiting your mother’s dinner table - familiar surroundings, food full of memories and remembered flavors, in the company of people who have helped to shape the person whom you have become. This volume is the second of the “Free Creek Trilogy,” the only one I had not read and the completion of the history that created Clay, whom was met in Clay’s Quilt. It was a wonderful (now) family reunion where I learned the things of my “family” that had been held
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Mar 10, 2010
Shanna
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With the recent passing of my grandmother, I have been recalling stories from her life and once again have been stirred to possibly write a book. But I have not been sure if I wanted to write something fictional or biographical. So anyway, I thought I should read some books associated with the place and culture from in which she lived and from which I came to help me get some ideas. So this review is written with that in mind.
Overall, I thought it was a good book. The description More...
Overall, I thought it was a good book. The description More...
Jun 07, 2009
Kim
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A beautiful story of young Cherokee woman and her love of family. The story takes place in the mountains of Kentucky in the early 1900's. Vine falls for and marries a young Irish man and moves to live with his family and leaves her family behind. It's a story of a mother's love and the love a wife has for her husband. It's a story about secrets and forgiveness. It was just a "goodread".
I actually was at the library and they did not have the book I wanted, so I went d More...
I actually was at the library and they did not have the book I wanted, so I went d More...
Dec 01, 2011
Vivian
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Every now and then I receive a book recommendation that completely surprises me (in a good way). A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House is one such book. I belong to a local book group that meets at the Charleston Town Center Mall on the last Wednesday of each month in the Community Room at Panera Bread Company (if you're in the Kanawha County area please join us). This was our book for the month of November.
The story is set in eastern Kentucky during the early 1900s and centers on a More...
The story is set in eastern Kentucky during the early 1900s and centers on a More...
Feb 19, 2012
Helen
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A Cherokee woman leaves her family to marry a gentle but reserved white mountain man whose brother becomes obsessed with her.
The book contains themes such as racism, the difficulty of assimilating into a different culture, adultery, women's independence, and family. It is beautifully written and takes place in a natural setting.
People who enjoy Diana Gabaldon's The Fiery Cross (the saga of Jamie and Claire that chronicles their life in the NC mountains), will enjoy this simi More...
The book contains themes such as racism, the difficulty of assimilating into a different culture, adultery, women's independence, and family. It is beautifully written and takes place in a natural setting.
People who enjoy Diana Gabaldon's The Fiery Cross (the saga of Jamie and Claire that chronicles their life in the NC mountains), will enjoy this simi More...
Jan 04, 2011
Susan
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The setting for this book is the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky in the early 1900s. It is the story of Vine, a beautiful Cherokee woman and her husband Saul, a white man. Vine leaves her family home to live with her husband’s family on God’s Creek. When war breaks out Saul must leave his family and go to work for the war effort. He leaves them in the care of his younger brother, Aaron, who he trusts will take good care of them all. But everything won’t be okay. There is something sini
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Jan 18, 2011
Lily
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Enjoyed this first exposure to the work of Silas House. Tells the story of a Cherokee woman who marries an man with Irish immigrants among his ancestors. It is set at the beginning of the century through WWI in Appalachia. I particularly enjoyed the similes and metaphors House used to describe the physical surroundings. There were about 30 characters who were named, each of them developed appropriately for their role in the plot. Among the secondary characters, the local midwife was especial
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May 18, 2010
Darcy
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 03, 2012
Courtney
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Vine, a Cherokee girl, marries white man, Saul Sullivan. Saul's younger brother, Aaron, who has always been somewhat of a misfit with a sinister attraction to Vine, eventually rapes Vine who then kills him with kitchen knife. Vine buries Aaron and tells no-one except her closest friend, Serena as she knows Cherokee woman could not get fair trial. Beautifully descriptive book with regard to emotions and the natural setting but, for me, it moved slower than Clay's Quilt which I enjoyed more.
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Jan 25, 2010
Sarah
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Really loved this book! I liked reading about life in Kentucky just 100 years ago. Most of all I loved the characters. The book really centered on the day-to-day life of women as they kept it all together in a time when it was necessary to be completely self-sufficient. It reminded me just how strong and proud women can be, and I loved how closely knit the communities were. What they did, they all did together. The book really made me long for a simpler time. I kind of want to grow a garde
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Jan 01, 2008
Katie
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A beautifully told story, "A Parchment of Leaves" takes the reader to the early 1900's in the Appalachian mountains. Vine, a young Cherokee woman, is the narrator, and she tells of her romance and marriage to Saul, an Irishman who lives in a nearby settlement. Many town members discriminate against her, but those in her close circle, including her mother-in-law, Esme, accept her unconditionally. Particularly disconcerting and ominous is the fixation that Saul's younger brother, Aa
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Jun 14, 2010
Katie
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I really enjoyed this book. It tells the story of a Cherokee woman who marries a white man in Appalachia in the early 1900s. My favorite part of the book wasn't so much the characters or the plot, but rather the setting. The author does a wonderful job creating a sense of place and I really felt like I was there in the hollows of Redbud Camp and God's Creek with all the characters. Or maybe I just wanted to be there. On another day, I might have given this book three stars, but today I'm gi
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May 11, 2009
Emily
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A Parchment of Leaves is a story about a boy named Saul who falls in love with a Cherokee Indian named Vine. Unfortunately his brother falls in love with her too. This is a tragic love story that shows the transformations that marriage and love can take. It takes place during World War I, when so many things where changing in everyday lives. It also shows the prejudices to the Cherokee Indians at that time.
A great book, my only complaint would be the dialect, it can be frustrating.
A great book, my only complaint would be the dialect, it can be frustrating.
Apr 03, 2011
Tamara
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Beautifully written. Wonderful descriptions. Careful attention to detail. If you've not heard Silas House and his short story contributions to NPR, you're in for a treat. This is the story of Vine, a Cherokee, and Saul, the Irishman who marries her, their love, their trials and the prejudice of a small Kentucky town in the early 1900s. Each character is believably portrayed, the town vividly described, so we understand and imagine the scenes when each goes to extremes to survive. A rich rea
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Sep 16, 2011
Lee
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The author is a very good story-teller! Even though the story is set in a region of the state I'm still only beginning to learn about, his descriptions of the places make it real; and he brings his characters to life so well. The story and emotions feel authentic, and that made the book a pleasure to read.
Sep 24, 2011
Sara
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What I liked most about this book is that it never for one second pretended to be something it's not. It is what it is...a story about people, a way of life that is gone and the struggles and changes that come along with living. There were never any gimmicky moments of magic or mystery...it has a very down to earth feel. Beautifully written and engaging right until the very last page.
Feb 21, 2009
Donna
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I have read Silas House's other book, CLAY'S QUILT, and so much enjoyed it. This one was SO VERY GOOD! The characters and setting always intrigue me and this one was no exception.
This one included the struggles of the Kentucky settlers including the Indians and the Irish. The difficulties of just surviving in the area at this time shaded by the prejudices make for interesting historical reading.
This one included the struggles of the Kentucky settlers including the Indians and the Irish. The difficulties of just surviving in the area at this time shaded by the prejudices make for interesting historical reading.
Aug 03, 2010
Sherry
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This is the story of an Irish-American man who falls in love with a Cherokee girl in the early 1900s. Despite the prejudices against the Cherokee, Saul and Vine marry and she moves in with him and his family. Kentuckian author Silas House writes a beautiful story about love, learning, and forgiveness.
May 27, 2011
Kirsten
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An engaging story, well told. Learned a bit about the Cherokee in Appalachia (Learning + Reading Fiction = Good). But still unsatisfying somehow. I'd say this is kind of a vacation read: entertaining, but not terribly profound.
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May 12, 2009
Amy
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I love this author's voice/style. Absolutely amazing writing that paints a picture of a place that you can almost see, smell and touch. Full of beautiful imagery wrapped in an engaging narrative. House does for Kentucky what Robert Morgan and Charles Frazier do for North Carolina.
Jan 25, 2012
Linda
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It might be my state of mind right now, I'm not sure, but this book was a struggle for me and didn't hold my attention. I finally gave up 1/3 of the way through.
Judging from all of the positive reviews, and the awards won, I believe most people will love this book. Maybe I'll try it again sometime.
Judging from all of the positive reviews, and the awards won, I believe most people will love this book. Maybe I'll try it again sometime.
Jul 28, 2010
Sue
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This was an excellent book--takes place in early 20th century Kentucky--lots of little details of everyday life--excellent dialogue--mostly female characters that seemed very true to life--Silas House is an excellent author.
Jun 05, 2009
Shelly
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It is a thought provoking book and made me think about relationships and the loyalty that is a part of them. It also made me contemplate the burdens we all carry at one time or another and how we handle them.
May 12, 2009
Lanette
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I loved this book. It was a beautiful read for me. I am so impressed when people have such a talent with words, feelings, expressions. The story was great, the ending left me completely satisfied. Fabulous.
May 04, 2009
Stephanie
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I loved this because I have Cherokee ancestors on my mother's side and I enjoyed the descriptions of the old way of life that my Scotch Irish ancestors lived. The work itself is beautiful and the story is good.
Mar 24, 2009
Courtney
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loved this book, could not put it down. Great story of Cherokee girl marrying white man around mid 1900's and of her experience and both thier families. Well written, I will look for other books of his.
Jun 03, 2010
Robin
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The writing style is wonderful. It does move slowly at times, but not in a boring way. A lot of books tend to build up and then have a disappointing ending - this one did not. Loved the ending!
Oct 20, 2010
Kathy
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This was a really beautiful book - beautifully written, poignant story, characters so alive they are still churning butter and working the mill in my mind. I keep looking forward to reading it even though I finished the book days ago.
Apr 30, 2010
Margie
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I really liked this book which is similar in feeling to Lee Smiths books about family life in Appalachia. Wonderful descriptions, well drawn characters and a setting which was believable.
May 03, 2010
Craig
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I just want to make it clear the two star rating is not because it's a bad book, rather I just found it "alright". To be fair, this is likely a matter of taste.
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