What My Heart Wants To Tell

by Verna Mae Slone

"God knew that it would take brave and sturdy people to survive in these beautiful but rugged hills. So He sent us His very strongest men and women." So begins the heartwarming story of Verna Mae and her father, Isom B. ""Kitteneye"" Slone, an extradordinay personal family history set in the hills around Caney Creek in Knott County, Kentucky.

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Southern, Nonfiction, History

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Verna Mae Slone was an Appalachian author from Knott County, Kentucky. In the 1970s, she wrote what she felt was an honest account of her forefathers for her grandchildren. She had only a few copies of these accounts printed, never intending for anything to become of it. But after her grandchildren read the works, they enjoyed it so much they passed it around, and the writings built up so much popularity they gave Slone a chance to publish her stories. In 1979, her first book, What My Heart Wants to Tell was published by New Republic. Slone had always been a strong advocate for preserving the Appalachian way of life, disproving many of the myths and stereotypes that follow the culture.

Reviews

[kera rodshuf · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️2 stars

Just not my favorite, kind of a drag but I do appreciate the contents!

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book while on vacation in Kentucky with my girls and parents. One of my favorite vacation activities is to find local bookstores selling regional literature written by local authors. What My Heart Wants to Tell is a beautiful collection of memories by Verna Mae Stone on her father and growing up in the eastern part of Kentucky back at the turn of the century. She's not poetic and won't win any writing awards, but the emotion and love in her writing speaks deeply of the pride and affection she has in her family, community, and the way of life she was surrounded by as she grew into adulthood. The small family stories she shares make you feel like you are hearing them across a fire in wintertime, no doubt just as they were passed down through her family. And the practical information she relays on how families lived and survived is just amazing. i particularly enjoyed her description of how crops and gardens were planted - very different world without grocery stores. Beautiful book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quaint little book is a must read for anyone who is kin to, or has ever known any "mountain people". Verna Mae Slone and her family (past seven generations i think she said???)have lived on the same little mountain spot (Caney) in Eastern Kentucky for ever. She tries through this book to dispel the myths about ignorant and violent "hillbillies". She tells stories of her father, Kitteneye, mostly, and how he and everyone else on the mountain worked together tirelessly to provide for their families. It is a way of life which is gone in these modern times but it is amazing to read about. I doubt if I would have lasted a day. The ingenuity, dedication, hard work and fellowship is enough to make anyone proud to be from the mountains.

[Kathy Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, written by Verne Mae Slone about her family, mainly her father, called "Kitteneye." She tells memories of things they did, wisdom sayings of the folks in the area and her father, and how they did everything from killing a hog to growing vegetables. I especially enjoyed reading how her family preserved their food with no refrigeration or canning equipment or jars. This is not really a story, with a beginning, middle, and end, but is more a book of memories from a lady who really wants to share what is in her heart. I really enjoyed her book, Rennie's Way much more.

[Jeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Verne Mae Stone has done a significant thing in writing her memories of life in the hills of Kentucky. Her book encapsulates a time that is gone and may never return. The people are unique and the family structure admirable. Her purpose was to dispel stereotypes. She has done this and much more. The men and women in that time and place were royalty of a sort.

[Travis Marcum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this one recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. Fascinating and validating insight into the living conditions, social norms, traditions, and folklore of eastern KY mountain people in the early 1900s. I’m thankful I grew up with some of these and pray I can pass them along to my kids.

A couple of my favorite passages are:
* “Our young folks have lost so much without ever knowing they had it to lose.”
* “We just don’t take time to enjoy ourselves with the entertainment God gives us free.”
* “Outsiders sound just as different to us as we do to them.”

#books
#whatyoureadingfor
#VernaMaeSlone

[Rev. Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read part of this book again last week and thought I should add it here. This simple elegant and moving story of one woman's life is inspirational and challenging, heartwarming and endearing and such a good read.
It's not long but the simpleness of it language draws you in and leaves you smiling.

[Darrelyn Kelley]

I saw Verna Mae Slone on KET TV and was intrigued with her and her stories. I just had to get this book!

[Batty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I will prolly read her other 5 now. Made me want to grow a garden.

[Jenny Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short nonfiction stories about growing up in Appalachia in the early 20th century. Set in the area around Pippa Passes, Kentucky.

[Candy Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written by a cousin of my grandmother. Very cool!

[Naomee M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't write reviews often, but I felt obligated to for this one since the author is my great, great aunt. This book delves into the everyday lives of Verna Mae Slone, her father Isom "Kitten Eye" Slone, her mother Sarah and all of her siblings. She tells both wholesome, light-hearted stories such as how her father got his nickname and family traditions of lighting fireworks on Christmas morning, as well as darker stories such as her outlaw in-laws and the tragic death of her sister Alverta.
If you're interested in reading about what life was like in the early 1900's in the mountains of Kentucky, I'd recommend this book.

[Melissa Helton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I work where she's from and the room I spend my days in are decorated with her beautiful quilts, and I'm happy I'm getting to learn more about her. I appreciate several things about this book. First, that she writes to document and preserve Appalachian traditions, foodways, wisdom, and practices. Secondly, she directly confronts the prejudices and stereotypes people hold against Appalachians. Looking with a modern sensibility back on this book written in the 1970s by a woman then in her 60s, we could have discussions about problematic language or behavior, but overall, the book feels like a memoir of good intention, coming from a deep love of the people and place.

[Emily Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little vignettes of life in Appalachia and the values that shaped the people there. Easy entertaining read with lots of practical information