The World and Then Some: A Novel

by Sharon Randall

"There on the road stood a child. Cora knew her at once. She had her father’s green eyes and her mother’s gorgeous face. Scuffing lines in the dust with the toe of her shoe, the little girl looked up at her. 'Ma’am,' she said, 'I’m here.'" In this beautiful debut novel from columnist Sharon Randall, we meet a woman whose family has been cradled for generations by a valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, where love and heartbreak and the bonds of family create a harrowing and heartfelt tale. Cora Lacy is born in August,1898, on a day that will be her mother’s last. She grows up a child of the mountains, loving the land beneath her feet like the mother she never knew. Her life will be marked by tragedy, but every loss brings gifts. One man will break her heart; another will never leave her. When her sons go off to war, she finds comfort in caring for her fiery, pregnant daughter-in-law. And when her first grandchild is born—and disappears—she suffers the agony of losing a child. Years later, when a little girl in a tattered dress shows up at her door, Cora finds new reason to live, and vows to stop at nothing, even risking her own life, to protect her. Told in a voice that sings of the mountains, this sweeping family saga weaves a story of hope with the ever-present thread of unwavering love that parents—and grandparents—feel for children, who to them, mean the world and then some.

Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2020

Reviews

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I knew Sharon could write. I’ve enjoyed her human interest syndicated articles forever. But this book! Wow! Utterly unique.

The story follows Cora Lacy McCallum and her family from 1898 until well after WWII, always with her modest home in the Blue Ridge Mountains as the backdrop. Exciting and heartwarming real life moments and years mix with loss and grief in this true to life saga.

I can hear Sharon's voice in Cora's wisdom and in her love for her family and close friends. Because of her early and young adult years in South Carolina I know she speaks as one connected to the South and familiar with the people she portrays. I also loved some of Lacy's (Cora's granddaughter) connection to Sharon's own story such as the brother she dearly loved, and moving to “California-of-all-places" where she met and married my Young Life and Sunday School worship leader. Good memories.

I’m a bit saddened by some of the language used, so this reduced my star rating 1/2 star. It may have been true to the character portrayal, and truthfully not foul, but I’m just not fond of even minor swearing, nor did I think so much of it was necessary. Being honest here.

But it was a wonderful historical fiction book, worth a read and a joy for me.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

With so much division in our country and world right now, I want to share a first time novel, The World and Then Some. It is written by Sharon Randall, a well known syndicated author whose stories share her life, faith and experiences through her writings. This is a book that could help us all feel the blessings of what we have today. Our differences don’t have to separate us. We can choose. Beginning with a step back in time and a faith based foundation you experience the feeling of family, faith and the beauty of our world through the authors eyes. Beginning the story in 1896 with the birth of Cora Lacy, the story proceeds through time, capturing the lives of a family that knows more than their share or hardship and sorrow. Living hardscrabble but full lives, the story is told in three parts and takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster of feelings. Once started, I could not put this book down and hope that the author writes another book soon. I give this book 5 stars.

[Holly Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. The author touches your heart and soul in her writing. I can't wait for her next book to be written. She could easily continue this story if she chooses. This story made me laugh and cry and feel for each character.

[Lesleycall5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful prose, enjoyable read.

[Lucy Takeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Randall’s columns in the newspaper every week. I love hearing about her life and her brother. So, when I heard she’d written a novel, I ordered it right away!
This is not my usual reading genre. It’s down home life in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It reminds me of Dolly Parton’s Heartland movies. It was certainly a pleasure to spend time with Cora, especially when she decides to take on a town bully a couple of times. I admire a woman with backbone and spunk!

[Rachel Dunham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never heard of the author, but I wish she would write a whole shelf of books! I loved every page of this book. It is told by one narrator, it is told in a linear fashion from start to finish, there are no flashbacks or zooming forwards. It is a well-told story of a town in the North Carolina mountains, and it centers on one woman from her birth until she is "old". It is a tale of real life with joys and sorrows, love and loss.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about Cora Lacy McCallum and her family beginning in 1898.
It is a saga of hope, faith, family, trust, and above all the love that parents
Have for their children set against the background of the North Carolina
mountains..It is wonderfully written and will have you share each moment
With her as you turn the pages. Each experience touches your soul with
Inspiration. She writes of joy and sadness. I hope there will be more books
By this Author. I highly recommend it.

[Barbara Childress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unforgettable

I have been a fan of Sharon Randall for about 10 years, so I was very happy to find out about her first novel. From page one, I could not put it down, and now that I've finished reading, it will stay in my memory forever. I hope this won't be her only one. I am a fan for life!

[sue schoonover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Reading!

Been following Sharon for many years in my local newspaper every Sunday. Look forward to it each week. The book was more than I hoped for. Couldn't put it down. So much joy and so much sorrow, but isn't that life. Sure hope another book is in the future.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the wife of my high school chemistry teacher. Easy read, and very enjoyable.

[Benje · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book.

[marylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. I couldn't put it down. I wish there was another one.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about Cora Lacy whose mom died the day she was born. Cora marries a good man who dies on the job when he saves one of his workers from a falling tree. They have four sons. One gets married and then leaves for the war. His wife doesn't forgive him for leaving and she runs off with their daughter. Another son dies in the war, and another one is a prisoner of war and comes home 5 years later (he forgot who he was). The granddaughter gets dropped off by her mom and lives with her dad the rest of her life. Her dad marries the Irish nurse who cared for him during the war when he was wounded. Cora marries her childhood friend who was always in love with her (his wife died of cancer).

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book! It has been on my list to read since 2020. I can’t even remember why I put it on my list. Imagine my surprise when I finally figured out that Sharon Randall wrote it! Yes, the same Sharon Randall whose Sunday morning columns I read in the Grand Island, NE newspaper! This book captivated me from the first chapter. I read it in less than a day because I could not put it down. Love books like that. Hope Sharon writes another book and keeps penning her weekly column!

[Cyndi Atwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I’m a huge fan of Sharon Randall’s columns. I was not disappointed. This is a wonderful story of life. It follows Cora from birth to grandmotherhood. Cora is strong, and she has to be to survive what life throws at her. We celebrate the wonderful times and cry with her during the horrible lows. This is a very well written book. I’m hoping Sharon Randall will write more.

[Peggy Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a follower of Sharon Randall's weekly newspaper column, I couldn't wait to read her first novel. It certainly didn't disappoint. I can hear her voice as I read this book. It's a sweet story, full of wisdom, compassion, heartache and triumph that the world desperately needs today. I will wait in anticipation for her next book.

[Rebecca Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down!

I laughed, I cried and loved every word! I love reading Sharon Randalls article in the newspaper every Sunday and this book certainly did not disappoint. I will recommend this wonderful story to all my reading family and friends... It's a keeper!

[Beth Lorow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book that my sweet mom loved and loaned me. Many of the characters were flawed but so likeable. Cora, the family matriarch and central character to the story, is a strong, capable, compassionate woman, which I loved!

[Debbie Kusiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

I loved this novel & really enjoyed the portrayal of generations of characters from the Blue Ridge mountains. Very touching!

[Juanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful generational story. I stayed up way too late in order to finish it.

[MaryLou Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!The story and the writing just flowed. I will look forward to reading more from this author.

[Eileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy this authors newspaper columns however I did not enjoy this book at all. Very trite.

[Lorrie Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharon Randall weaves your heart and soul into her delightful writing. I love everything she has ever written.

[George M]

With Appalachian mountain folk thru WWII and more.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story and well written. I got sucked into the story and characters.