Miss Willie

Piney Ridge

by Janice Holt Giles

Miss Willie, first published in 1951, is the second novel in Janice Holt Giles's Piney Ridge trilogy, which includes also The Enduring Hills and Tara's Healing. Although the plot is fictional, the central character is based on Giles's mother and some of the episodes are drawn from her life.
This is the story of a dedicated teacher who moves to the hills of Kentucky to teach in a one-room schoolhouse at Piney Ridge. Zealously she tries to change the ways of the stubborn and proud Appalachian people - but to no avail. They listen to her crazy ideas about sanitation and other foolishness because to argue would be rude. But in the end they quietly go about their accustomed ways.
Ultimately Miss Willie realizes that the hill customs have a beauty and dignity of their own and that some of her efforts to reform them were ill-conceived. Her warmth, generosity, and humor help her bridge the gap and find fulfillment in Piney Ridge.
This is a story of reconciliation and the coming together of two different ways of life. Above all, it is a story of people and of the land to which they belong.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Novels, Christian, Historical

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

Janice Holt Giles was an American writer best known for her series of pseudo historical novels focusing on life on the American frontier, particularly within Kentucky.

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deserves three and a half stars. Its characters have flesh and virtue and the protagonist changes for the better in the end. All is not sunlight and roses - like life - but Miss Willie is worth reading. I felt edified upon completion of this book rather than the blank - why-did-I-just-read-that? feeling I've been left with lately. (Especially after Bel-Ami!)

I also really liked the way Giles incorporated God and her faith into the book, without it being an overtly "Christian" novel. Not that I am opposed to Christian novels in any way, but I just believe that life should be like that for the believer. Our faith should be so intermeshed in our lives that all of our work glorifies God.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read. Miss Willie spoke to my heart and soul

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so thankful that my friend gave me this book to read. I will definitely be seeking out more books by Janice Holt Giles. It is obvious that she truly knows and understands the people that she is writing about. I've said it before and I will say it again, it is refreshing to read a book that is obviously adult without having to overlook things that are blatantly offensive. That isn't to say that I won't read contemporary novels that deal with distasteful topics, it is just nice to take a break and read something well written that doesn't involve an abundance of filthy language and smut.

[Debbie Senft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the insights into old Kentucky Hill Country living.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am amazed that this book came out so long ago and there are so few people who seem to have read it. The author did such a good job in demonstrating the change in the protagonist's life as she moved from teaching in the city to the hills. The "hillbillies" changed her life and perspective.

[Janet Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is book 2 of the trilogy and it was quite good. I am impressed with the way giles writes.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors. Her characters come alive in her books.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to go back to a simpler life like they had on The Ridge. Sure, they worked hard. But life was not so complicated and categorized. You just lived and worked together.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. There were some very difficult themes and some extremely beautiful thoughts in this book.

[S. Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the great favorites on my bookshelf.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janice Holt Giles has written an inspiring story of a teacher in rural Kentucky just after World War II. Giles was a gifted writer who wrote her fictional books based on her life or people she knew. Her writing flows and is so easy to follow, but not shallow. This is the story of Miss Willie, an “old maid” schoolteacher in Texas who was looking for some meaning in her life. She left her comfortable home and moved to Piney Ridge, Kentucky in the Appalacian mountains. Miss Willie struggled to fit in and adjust to the ways of the mountain people. In the end she found her heart, true love, kind people and her place in the world.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book by Janice Holt Giles (no relation!) and I love the characters. Her books are about Appalachian Kentucky and the hill people in the 1940s and 1950s. They are an interesting change from more modern novels as they were published in the 1950s and have "weathered" well. I like them!

[Cherie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, Ms. Giles did not do her research very well before writing this book. I found too many errors and therefore could not enjoy the book. I will not be looking for any more books from this author.

[Alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a graduation gift from my aunt who loves to read. Absolutely lovely book. Set in the hills of Kentucky. Miss Willie leaves El Paso to teach at the one-room school house in Piney Ridge. Beautifully written.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did Janice Holt Giles ever write a bad book? I've not found one yet, she is just amazing... I loved this story of life in the 1950s in the hills of Kentucky, Miss Willie is a great "outsider" character who we get to follow as she grapples with the hill people and their lifestyle.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

My great aunt loaned me this book many, many years ago and I loved it. I have searched book stores for years looking for this and was surprised to find it on Amazon. I will be reading it again and found it in a hard copy. Next on my read list!

[Lindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting reminder of how we sometimes think our own culture is the best way of doing things. We often don't really see the things we could be doing differently because we get caught in tradition, it can be good and bad or just different.

[Julie Biles · Rating 4 out of 5]

The outcome of Miss Wiilie's labor was surprisingly sweet and made me reflect on so many "missional" efforts. How self-righteously we approach these opportunities to transform people with "lesser" standards and to raise the bar and become like us.

[Rhonda Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, really good one to read and get lost in.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book my sister Penney gave me and the book was amazing, loved the characters, loved the story line, and loved the scenery. I want to read more books by her.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 2007

[Edie Asbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life in the Kentucky hills comes to life through a one-room schoolteacher new to the community. Now on to the next book in the series...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lonely school teacher goes to Piney Ridge to find a husband and happiness.

[Anne White]

My grandmother handed this to me to read one summer when I was a pre-teen. I guess she'd forgotten how violent some of it was. Among similar-themed books, I preferred Christy.