A Place Called Wiregrass: Three Women, Buried Secrets, and Unlikely Friendship in Alabama

by Michael Morris

Erma Lee is on the run . . . Running from an abusive husband . . . running from a mother who doesn't care -- never cared. Running from a soul-numbing factory job that has held her down her entire life ... Erma Lee and her granddaughter, Cher, flee to the town of Wiregrass, Alabama, to escape the past and start over -- or so Erma Lee thinks. Erma Lee forms an unlikely friendship with Miss Claudia, an elderly socialite who is hiding a few details about her own past. Life in Wiregrass is different for Erma Lee and Cher, for here they find mercy and promise -- until, that is, the day Cher's convict father arrives in town, forcing all three women to come to terms with buried secrets.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Southern, Ebooks, Inspirational, Womens

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

About the author

A fifth-generation native of Perry, Florida, Michael Morris knows Southern culture and characters. They are the foundation and inspiration for the stories he writes.

His latest novel, Man in the Blue Moon, is based on a true story about a man on the run for murder who was shipped in a crate to his grandfather's family in the Florida Panhandle. The novel was named one of the Best Books of 2012 by Publishers Weekly and received the Book of the Year Award for Fiction by the Alabama Library Association. Man in the Blue Moon was also named a top three book club recommendation by the independent bookseller's association.

While working in the pharmaceutical industry and taking night classes with author Tim McLaurin at North Carolina State University, Michael started the story that would eventually become his first novel, A Place Called Wiregrass. The debut book won the Christy Award for Best First Novel.

Michael’s second novel, Slow Way Home, was compared to the work of Harper Lee and Flannery O’Connor by the Washington Post. It was nationally ranked as one of the top three recommended books by the American Booksellers Association and named one of the best novels of the year by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Michael is also the author of a novella based on the Grammy-nominated song “Live Like You Were Dying,” which became a finalist for the Southern Book Critics Circle Award. His essays have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, The Dallas Morning News and the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

A graduate of Auburn University, Michael also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Spalding University. He lives in Alabama with his wife, Melanie.

Reviews

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent first novel. I found Erma Lee’s actions and thoughts very believable, considering what her life has been like. I did get a little frustrated with some of her behavior, and the book gets a little god preachy in the middle, but the rest of the book makes up for it. A sad but hopeful ending.

[Maelynn Hatfield]

If you are from the south, you will love this book! I actually had the opportunity to meet this author and he is awesome!

[Lajuan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subject of this book is not one I would normally pick but once I started reading I could not put the book down. Michael Morris is an excellent writter. The characters seemed as real to me as the people next door. I plan on ready all of his books.

[Diane Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out as a 4+ 🌟 but took a turn about half way through and went down to 2.5 🌟

[Lori]

So far this is a great book. I have had it laying around in different places in the house since I received it in the mail from paperbackswap.com. I was taking it to our over-flowing bookshelf when I decided that I would give it a whirl while I was "trying" to read The Story of O ("O" was difficult to read given that it is translated from a text written decades ago). I am glad I have picked it up, but it is slow going for just a bit on my end (not the book because it is great). I hope to finish it sometime soon...

[Victoria Bylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished reading this book just in time for Monday's Book Club meeting. It'll be interesting to hear what 10 or so different women have to say, which of the characters we relate to, and how the book does (or doesn't) reflect our individual experiences.

[judy petiton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

This is so relatable to real life and could have been a number of people in my life including myself. Wonderful novel that keeps you interested and wanting to read more about the characters and where life will take them. I was sad when I came to the end.

[K.T. Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fearful Mr. Morris wouldn't be able to pull off a book whose main characters are women but delighted he did.

[Michele Delimont · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the writing and the story but there was a little too much religion for me -- that may have been part of the story, but that's not my style. But the characters were sweet and warm and I loved how they handled their abusive relationships. They are strong women with two backgrounds/lifestyles, and good role models for many people facing challenges.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Human cruelty is a difficult topic, but this story mixed the ugliness of domestic abuse with the beauty of friendship, love, and forgiveness to make the topic easier to take. Possibly the best "bottom line" from this book is to always give compassion and friendliness because no one knows what horror other people are living through.

[Cheri Pickslay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Morris is a master story-teller. His sentences flow like a gentle spring rain. His plot kept me turning pages, wondering how Erma would not only survive, but thrive. I loved the unpredictable and unexpected twists the story took and most of all, the powerful manner in which redemption, forgiveness, love and grace were shown. Thank you!

[Cynthia Graf · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story! I so related to many of the situations in this story. It was like reading about someone's actual life and seeing first hand the troubles, the love, the fear, the anxiety, and the redemption. I look forward to reading more from Michael Morris.

[Susan Gaytan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.....

This book was hard to put down. It is about an elderly lady mentoring a middle aged lady named Erma Lee. They both had struggled with bad marriages. It is realistic fiction. Definitely worth reading.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a love-hate relationship with this book. At times, it seemed to move so slowly! But I identified with Erma Lee - she is a kindred spirit. She underwent many of the same struggles as I did, and she triumphed in the end! Wonderful book and uplifting!

[antoinette gabriels · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books!

A Place Called Wiregrass is a must-read. It is so heartwarming, and the characters are loveable and believable. I have read this 4 times at least and still get emotional as I cheer Erma Lee, Cher, and Miss Claudia on.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story--and hard to put down once I started it. Michael Morris writers strong, memorable women. Four stars (one sad event kept me from presenting it with five stars).

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing!!!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoopla EBOOK Ok

[Elaine Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is excellent and the characters become real to you as you read. It vividly describes women who have been abused by their husbands. The ending is expected for Mis Claudia, but I can't condone her final act which is why I gave it 4 stars. It makes you sympathetic for those who have lived through abuse. (reminds me of the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes)

[Victoria Wilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little heavy on the Jesus for me, but I’m from the part of the South where this is set and that is really how it is.

[Tammy McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good feel good story with sweet characters!

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erma Lee and her granddaughter Cher need refuge. Wiregrass, Alabama seems as good a place as any. If they can only get a little bit a head while keeping all the ugliness behind them things will work out. The problem is that for every step forward they take, they also take 2 steps backward. Only through friendship, swallowing pride and faith can they begin making gains on a new life.

[Mary-Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I waffled between 3 and 4 stars of this, but it was probably more my mood than the book that swayed it to 3, so I went with a 4.
The characters were great, the plot was good, but the domestic violence scenes kind of took a certain mood. They were heart-wrenching at best.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story although the plot becomes somewhat depressing at times. Erma Lee is a fighter, but she has so much of her past to overcome. Miss Claudia is also a fighter and together they help heal one another.

[Arinn Wardell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author truly captured a small southern town. The way Erma Lee has the courage to pick up and move and start a new life for herself and her granddaughter, is an inspiring story. The story is a true uplifting story.

[Pam]

06/29/08 purchase from library book sale room

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very moving story about 2 strong female characters that meet and find out how much they need each other.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the characters in this one.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty decent read although in a few places it got a little slow.