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Appalachian Tales
Orphaned as a teen, Nadia grows up in the small town of Benwood, West Virginia. Struggling to make a life for herself and her younger brother she is determined to forge her own way. When a mining disaster tragically strikes her hometown, her life, and heart, is changed forever. Appalachian Tales is a charming and engaging tale, filled with amusing yarns about marriage, illustrations of courage and an unsolved mystery. It's the story of two women who meet in 1982, elderly Nadia telling her stories to Dee, a young college student living in Charleston, West Virginia. The tales she tells encompasses tragic events, such as the Benwood Mine Disaster, bigotry, and the disappearance of the Sodder children. It is also a portrait of a life that was packed full of history, love, heartbreak, acts of kindness, bravery, joy and strange events that spans across decades. You will find yourself wishing to call on the fine folks of the Appalachians, grab a frosty glass of sweet tea, settle into a rocking chair, and discover why West Virginia is wild and yet splendidly wonderful.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
171 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2019
593 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Deanna Edens
22 books62 followersDeanna Edens lives by a beautiful lake in Michigan, and is a native West Virginian. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for over twenty years. She teaches college classes in the areas of psychology and leadership. Deanna has several feline friends, and donates all proceeds from her book sales to her local Humane Society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 15, 2019
I was born raised in Appalachia, eastern Kentucky. I chose to read Ms. Edens book because of the title. Very glad I did. Ever story Nadia told was a memory. Many things reminded me of my home in a coal mining town.
Love it very much. Will read more of her books for sure.
Sodder family story Intrigued me, I remember my grandparents talking about it. In 1933 my grandpa was in a major mine accident. Broke his back. Walked on crutches the rest of his live.
My Dad was a super at mines all my young life.
Deanna Eden did her research well.
Thank you,
MECJ
Love it very much. Will read more of her books for sure.
Sodder family story Intrigued me, I remember my grandparents talking about it. In 1933 my grandpa was in a major mine accident. Broke his back. Walked on crutches the rest of his live.
My Dad was a super at mines all my young life.
Deanna Eden did her research well.
Thank you,
MECJ
Want to read
September 29, 2019TheFussyLibrarian 99
July 30, 2020
I grew up inW. Pa in a steel town. Every furnace in town was coal, electric company was coal generated, It was a dirty town from suet, respiration problems where horrible. My best friends father was a coal miner and died from black lung. I read a great deal on the coal companies and how unsafe mines where and the greed of the owners who sent in armed men to control the miners when they protested for safer working condition. I related to this story. A good history teacher told me that you have to make history live not just present a dry book. Deanna is a great teacher. She brought to life this women's life and how what was happening around her affected not only her life but that of the community. This should be required reading in high schools and college. If you are reading this book at night you will lose sleep. I just kept turning pages. 5 stars is not enough for this book.
May 27, 2024
This is a story of Nadia, who tells the story of her hardscrabble life growing up in a coal town in West Virginia. I liked the flow, characters and how modern day Nadia told stories from from her younger life.
May 5, 2019
1924 A time of trial in West Virginia
The Benwood mine disaster created many ripples in the fabric of life surrounding it's area residents, many of various locales, countries were immersed in the great sorrow of the disaster.
The Benwood mine disaster created many ripples in the fabric of life surrounding it's area residents, many of various locales, countries were immersed in the great sorrow of the disaster.
March 19, 2020
History told in story form
This is a very enjoyable book in which Nadia relates to Dee her life experiences. It is well written and holds your interest. It is historically correct.
This is a very enjoyable book in which Nadia relates to Dee her life experiences. It is well written and holds your interest. It is historically correct.
May 15, 2019
This was a fascinating read. It was well written and kept you informed. I enjoyed the history written into the story. I'm not usually a history person but this was and is worth reading.The story drew you in & made you thi itnk of what it was like living back then in W. Virginia.No one has an easy life then or now so it's important to read the struggles that happened before us.
This was a fascinating read. It was well written and kept you informed. I enjoyed the history written into the story. I'm not usually a history person but this was and is worth reading.The story drew you in &made you think of what it was like living back then in W Virginia. No one has an easy life then or now so it's important to read the struggles that happened before us.
This was a fascinating read. It was well written and kept you informed. I enjoyed the history written into the story. I'm not usually a history person but this was and is worth reading.The story drew you in &made you think of what it was like living back then in W Virginia. No one has an easy life then or now so it's important to read the struggles that happened before us.
March 13, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable
This is a beautiful read and a wonderful story. It has hardship, sadness, and triumph in the story. I am so happy I read it.
This is a beautiful read and a wonderful story. It has hardship, sadness, and triumph in the story. I am so happy I read it.
February 10, 2019
Great book!
I got this book specifically to read about the Sodder mystery but finished it astounded at all the West Virginia history I did not know. This book was extremely charming and had an epic quality about it with the flashbacks and beautiful language. I'll be reading more.of this author!
I got this book specifically to read about the Sodder mystery but finished it astounded at all the West Virginia history I did not know. This book was extremely charming and had an epic quality about it with the flashbacks and beautiful language. I'll be reading more.of this author!
March 18, 2019
I dearly love this book...these are real people dealing with tragedy and life on its own terms
This is a story of tragedy and getting though it. I feel as if I were witness to all Nadia's life...I feel as if I were there beside her. My only disappointment is that the story was not longer....I was t quite ready to surface yet. Thank you!
This is a story of tragedy and getting though it. I feel as if I were witness to all Nadia's life...I feel as if I were there beside her. My only disappointment is that the story was not longer....I was t quite ready to surface yet. Thank you!
March 19, 2019
Very well written and I enjoyed all of the characters.
May 1, 2019
I liked this book
I thought it was interesting because it was well written and also I am interested in Appalachia and West virginia
I thought it was interesting because it was well written and also I am interested in Appalachia and West virginia
April 30, 2019
Stunning, alarming, charming
A must read. I promise you won't put it down until the end. Every word leaves you wanting to read more.
A must read. I promise you won't put it down until the end. Every word leaves you wanting to read more.
May 24, 2019
The past and its link to the present
Deanna’s style in many of her books includes an interview with a current character about past events. Nadia was interviewed about 60 years after mine disaster in West Virginia and about 40 years after a murder. Nadia, Isaac, and Jack become the reader’s friends.
Deanna’s style in many of her books includes an interview with a current character about past events. Nadia was interviewed about 60 years after mine disaster in West Virginia and about 40 years after a murder. Nadia, Isaac, and Jack become the reader’s friends.
April 26, 2019
Enjoyable book
I enjoy books about this time period. Older people have a wealth of information to share. It is wonderful to capture their memories in writing.
I enjoy books about this time period. Older people have a wealth of information to share. It is wonderful to capture their memories in writing.
April 3, 2019
Great Story Well Tod
Each main character became real as the story progressed. Changes of time frames were clear and added to the story.
The conclusion was a surprise as each event was documented with good references.
An easy, fun read that was entertaining and informative.
Each main character became real as the story progressed. Changes of time frames were clear and added to the story.
The conclusion was a surprise as each event was documented with good references.
An easy, fun read that was entertaining and informative.
February 21, 2019
Interesting Tales from West Virginia
I have read several books by this author and enjoyed them. I was not disappointed in this book. I learned about child labor in coal mines, mistreatment of African-American citizens in the twentieth century in West Virginia.
I have read several books by this author and enjoyed them. I was not disappointed in this book. I learned about child labor in coal mines, mistreatment of African-American citizens in the twentieth century in West Virginia.
July 21, 2019
If you have a couple of hours of 'me' time and want to disappear into a good little story, this book may be for you. The author's writing is easy reading: characters and storylines are fleshed out and the dialogue is realistic. This is a story that deals with several historical happenings, but the way they are presented makes the reader feel they are witnessing it in real time. There were funny moments and tragic moments throughout. I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
August 22, 2019
Short book that took me way too long to read because it never really grabbed me. Sweet story in a way but almost a bit to saccharine at times. I’m from the South and love books set in the South but this one was forgettable.
January 17, 2020
I chose this based on the title thinking it would be more about Appalachia than it was. This is like reading about Nadia’s memories of her life as told by the author who actually was her neighbor for several years. They had many conversations and a few were written about here. It is told as a flashback story starting in 1923 at the Benwood mining accident and then also in the “present” day in 1982 when they were neighbors. Nadia recounts her memories of her husband as a reporter for a Charleston newspaper and the story of the Sodder family and a mysterious fire that may have killed 5 of their 10 children.
November 21, 2020
A charming set of tales, not at all what I was expecting.
Having Dee visit and share life with Nadia and Jack is an interesting way of presenting seemingly unrelated Appalachian tales into a somewhat coherent story. Nadia's reminiscences bring us back to days of hardship, bigotry, and misogyny, while maintaining the storytelling feel. Dialogue is often stilted, but gets the point across. I was particularly struck by the use of "people of color" in an alleged 1982 conversation; while the phrase had been used, it was not in common usage at all until the 21st century. It was out of place for 1982.
I knew it was a good book when I didn't want it to end.
Having Dee visit and share life with Nadia and Jack is an interesting way of presenting seemingly unrelated Appalachian tales into a somewhat coherent story. Nadia's reminiscences bring us back to days of hardship, bigotry, and misogyny, while maintaining the storytelling feel. Dialogue is often stilted, but gets the point across. I was particularly struck by the use of "people of color" in an alleged 1982 conversation; while the phrase had been used, it was not in common usage at all until the 21st century. It was out of place for 1982.
I knew it was a good book when I didn't want it to end.
November 25, 2019
A light recounting of a woman's life
The author appeared to be a long-time friend to the protagonist in this book, Nadia. The result is a collection of stores about her life in West Virginia around the '20' through the 40's. I didn't care for the back and forth timeline. I would have preferred to read only about Nadia's past and done without the "present" 1982 years. She did lead a fairly interesting life but I would have liked to read more about her early childhood which was truly marked by loss.
The author appeared to be a long-time friend to the protagonist in this book, Nadia. The result is a collection of stores about her life in West Virginia around the '20' through the 40's. I didn't care for the back and forth timeline. I would have preferred to read only about Nadia's past and done without the "present" 1982 years. She did lead a fairly interesting life but I would have liked to read more about her early childhood which was truly marked by loss.
June 16, 2019
History lesson in a story
Nadia tells her young friend Dee about her life and the history of her life in Benwood , West Virginia . This story was historically accurate. I loved the people and could picture my surroundings as I read. Deanna Eden's does a wonderful job . I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down.
Nadia tells her young friend Dee about her life and the history of her life in Benwood , West Virginia . This story was historically accurate. I loved the people and could picture my surroundings as I read. Deanna Eden's does a wonderful job . I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down.
September 1, 2019
Because I seem to have collected books about Appalachia, I decided to go through what I can find.
This is a book of historical stories told as if the author's friend was sharing stories from her own life and from articles her journalist husband had written about events in and around Charleston, West Virginia.
Interesting little book.
This is a book of historical stories told as if the author's friend was sharing stories from her own life and from articles her journalist husband had written about events in and around Charleston, West Virginia.
Interesting little book.
January 26, 2021
A very intriguing story of life in the hills of West Virginia
The author has written a very interesting and heartfelt story about life and events that took place in a small coal mining town in West Virginia. The story gives a great description of the area and life style in that part of the state.
The author has written a very interesting and heartfelt story about life and events that took place in a small coal mining town in West Virginia. The story gives a great description of the area and life style in that part of the state.
April 12, 2022
Loved Every Minute
I totally loved this book. I was expecting it to be separate Appalachian stories and did not know, before I read it, it was going to be stories so rich and connected through central characters. I would recommend this book to anyone. Deanna Evans does a great job holding your interest and telling such vivid stories!!
I totally loved this book. I was expecting it to be separate Appalachian stories and did not know, before I read it, it was going to be stories so rich and connected through central characters. I would recommend this book to anyone. Deanna Evans does a great job holding your interest and telling such vivid stories!!
August 2, 2019
Appalachian Tales
I found this book very interesting. Following Nadia's life through her eyes shows a love, as well as, respect for her wonderful husband. I would like to know how long Nadia and Jack were married.
I found this book very interesting. Following Nadia's life through her eyes shows a love, as well as, respect for her wonderful husband. I would like to know how long Nadia and Jack were married.
August 4, 2019
What a wonderful book! It can make you laugh and cry on the same page.
The story of Nadia, a woman raised in the 1920-1930 era in West Virginia as told to a friend in 1982, with all of memories twists and turns.
If you're a fan of Southern or Appalachian tales you must read this book!
The story of Nadia, a woman raised in the 1920-1930 era in West Virginia as told to a friend in 1982, with all of memories twists and turns.
If you're a fan of Southern or Appalachian tales you must read this book!
January 2, 2020
Appalachian Tales
It was a quick read with smooth transitions from one story to another allowing a clear understanding of the events either witnessed or experienced. Informative, interesting, emotional and I was sad when it ended. 👏👏
It was a quick read with smooth transitions from one story to another allowing a clear understanding of the events either witnessed or experienced. Informative, interesting, emotional and I was sad when it ended. 👏👏
February 14, 2020
Interesting historical account
I enjoyed this book. It contains some historical information that I wasn't familiar with before. Was disappointed that the book was so short. Would have loved to learn about. But it gives me a reason investigate some of the events to learn more.
I enjoyed this book. It contains some historical information that I wasn't familiar with before. Was disappointed that the book was so short. Would have loved to learn about. But it gives me a reason investigate some of the events to learn more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews