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This Rock
From the author of Gap Creek-an international best-seller and winner of the Southern Book Critics Circle Award-comes the gripping story of two brothers struggling against each other and the confines of their mountain world in 1920s Appalachia.
The Powell brothers-Muir and Moody-are as different as Cain and Abel. Muir is an innocent, a shy young man with big dreams. Moody, the older and wilder brother-embittered by the death of his father, by years of fighting his mother, and by his jealousy of Muir's place in the family-takes to moonshine and gambling and turns his anger on his brother. Muir escapes by wandering, making his way around the country in attempts to find something-an occupation, a calling-to match his ambition.
Through it all, their mother, Ginny, tries to steer her boys right, all the while remembering her own losses: her husband (whose touch still haunts her), her youth, and the fiery sense of God that once ordered her world.
When Muir, in a drunken vision, decides that his purpose in life is to clear a space on a hill and build a stone church with his own hands, the consequences of his plan are far-reaching and irrevocable: a community threatens to tear itself apart, men die, and his family is forever changed. All that's left in the aftermath are the ghosts and the memories of a new man.
The Powell brothers-Muir and Moody-are as different as Cain and Abel. Muir is an innocent, a shy young man with big dreams. Moody, the older and wilder brother-embittered by the death of his father, by years of fighting his mother, and by his jealousy of Muir's place in the family-takes to moonshine and gambling and turns his anger on his brother. Muir escapes by wandering, making his way around the country in attempts to find something-an occupation, a calling-to match his ambition.
Through it all, their mother, Ginny, tries to steer her boys right, all the while remembering her own losses: her husband (whose touch still haunts her), her youth, and the fiery sense of God that once ordered her world.
When Muir, in a drunken vision, decides that his purpose in life is to clear a space on a hill and build a stone church with his own hands, the consequences of his plan are far-reaching and irrevocable: a community threatens to tear itself apart, men die, and his family is forever changed. All that's left in the aftermath are the ghosts and the memories of a new man.
323 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
57 people are currently reading
688 people want to read
About the author
Robert Morgan
282 books398 followersRobert Morgan is an American poet, short story writer, and novelist.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
May 31, 2025
I had read Gap Creek many years ago and had been impressed with his writing. I noticed this book on my shelf the other day and decided to give it a try. This one takes place in the early 1920’s in a poor, rural Appalachian town. A hardscrabble world!
April 11, 2010
I could hardly put this book down, but at times found it sad and a bit depressing. It ends well enough, but this isn't one of those books in which the main character is fully triumphant at the end, and definitely isn't a "feel good" book. It is more about the struggle to find oneself and one's calling, and the many failings we often take in doing so.
I do love this author. The other couple books I read by him so far, Gap Creek and Brave Enemies, are love stories about the relationships between man and woman. This, too, is a love story, but not in the same sense. It is more about the love of family, particularly between two very different brothers and their mother. Also like the other books I have read by him, this book is about our humanness. It reaches into what it is to go through life, our relationships, our spirituality, and how we reconcile our lives at the end of each day.
Morgan, like the other books I have read from him, has written this one in vernacular, which I love if well done. He clearly has a talent for it. The prose in this book are simple but evocative. The imagery is strong and clear. Morgan not only can make you see what he sees, but also summons richer responses, such as colors and sensations brought on by strong emotions, or memories kindled by scent.
I can certainly recommend this book. I love the other two I've read from him more, but This Rock is another good one.
I do love this author. The other couple books I read by him so far, Gap Creek and Brave Enemies, are love stories about the relationships between man and woman. This, too, is a love story, but not in the same sense. It is more about the love of family, particularly between two very different brothers and their mother. Also like the other books I have read by him, this book is about our humanness. It reaches into what it is to go through life, our relationships, our spirituality, and how we reconcile our lives at the end of each day.
Morgan, like the other books I have read from him, has written this one in vernacular, which I love if well done. He clearly has a talent for it. The prose in this book are simple but evocative. The imagery is strong and clear. Morgan not only can make you see what he sees, but also summons richer responses, such as colors and sensations brought on by strong emotions, or memories kindled by scent.
I can certainly recommend this book. I love the other two I've read from him more, but This Rock is another good one.
May 13, 2025
Just couldn't connect to any character in this book.
June 1, 2016
Not his best work.
While Gap Creek and Greatest Pleasure were gripping and breath taking accounts of life in 1920s for young adults in North Carolina's hills, This Rock is scattered and anti-climactic.
The book is written from the viewpoint of both the main character, Muir, and his mother, Ginny. Both Muir and his older brother Moody struggle toward uncertain futures after the death of their father, both making many mis-steps along the way.
Morgan's writing has become formulaic and tired, much like Nicholas Sparks works.
Morgan's bias toward Christianity and Pentecostal sects are well-worn and unresolved.
While this telling of Morgan's theme has a somewhat gentler ending, it also seems to rush to a stop after skidding through some rather tight turns, leaving me somewhat puzzled.
While Gap Creek and Greatest Pleasure were gripping and breath taking accounts of life in 1920s for young adults in North Carolina's hills, This Rock is scattered and anti-climactic.
The book is written from the viewpoint of both the main character, Muir, and his mother, Ginny. Both Muir and his older brother Moody struggle toward uncertain futures after the death of their father, both making many mis-steps along the way.
Morgan's writing has become formulaic and tired, much like Nicholas Sparks works.
Morgan's bias toward Christianity and Pentecostal sects are well-worn and unresolved.
While this telling of Morgan's theme has a somewhat gentler ending, it also seems to rush to a stop after skidding through some rather tight turns, leaving me somewhat puzzled.
January 5, 2023
My first book of the year finished. I can't believe that I have never read Robert Morgan before, this is my second book by him. A beautifully written book with a lot to think about. The spiritual and family themes are perfect in this one and I am going to look for more books by this author.
June 24, 2019
I read " Road from Gap Creek" first. Gap Creek was published 2013, and is written from the viewpoint of "Annie". I saw the book at a library sale and liked the cover. I liked the style of the writer so I ordered "This Rock", which was published in 2011. I probably should have read this book first. It is written from the viewpoint of "Muir". The storyline is similar in each book, although told from different perspectives. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of this author.
"For nothing makes life sweeter than knowing it's shortness... My friends and loved ones, the fact is the dead never really leave us. They are always in our hearts and in our minds. And at the most unexpected times and places, as we open a door, or listen to the rain at night, they are with us. The loved dead are with us at our moments of greatest happiness, and they are with us in our days of greatest sorrow. They will not desert us as we step forward in our lives. They will not abandon us even though we are forgetful or silly. The dead loved ones give dignity and weight to our confused lives."
page 444
There were multiple quotes from this book that I pondered. On page 366, the role of the church in community; and page 53 he describes Muir mowing the weeds with a scythe, was one of my favorite parts.
"For nothing makes life sweeter than knowing it's shortness... My friends and loved ones, the fact is the dead never really leave us. They are always in our hearts and in our minds. And at the most unexpected times and places, as we open a door, or listen to the rain at night, they are with us. The loved dead are with us at our moments of greatest happiness, and they are with us in our days of greatest sorrow. They will not desert us as we step forward in our lives. They will not abandon us even though we are forgetful or silly. The dead loved ones give dignity and weight to our confused lives."
page 444
There were multiple quotes from this book that I pondered. On page 366, the role of the church in community; and page 53 he describes Muir mowing the weeds with a scythe, was one of my favorite parts.
June 30, 2014
This is the third historical novel I've read in the past three years from Robert Morgan, my longago undergrad creative writing professor. I began with Brave Enemies, a more recently written novel but set in Revolutionary times. I then pro/regressed to his Gap Creek, which spanned the turn of the 19th-20th century with the story of a young couple struggling to survive- at all, much less as husband and wife. And with This Rock, we skip a generation ahead in the same Carolina border region; not strictly a sequel to the prior one (though its speaking-voice character Julie and her husband Hank both appear in it, in quiet supporting roles), but it advances early century life a bit, with more modern conveniences appearing but, still, a simpler life, lived off the land and where hard work, rather than cash, is the essential currency of everyday existence.
The tale is largely of a mother and two brothers, but only the mother and the brother Muir tell it, in mostly alternating chapters. They overcome obstacles of self-confidence, anger and mostly bootlegging-oriented lawlessness before Muir finally finds his place in life and builds it.
Not a lot of action, but a lot of love.
The tale is largely of a mother and two brothers, but only the mother and the brother Muir tell it, in mostly alternating chapters. They overcome obstacles of self-confidence, anger and mostly bootlegging-oriented lawlessness before Muir finally finds his place in life and builds it.
Not a lot of action, but a lot of love.
April 24, 2010
A terrific novel by the author of Gap Creek. This one relates the story of two dissimilar brothers, more or less of the Cain/Abel genre. Muir, the good brother, constantly seeks for his identity and a way to advance in the world. Moody, the bad brother, makes moonshine, is involved with bootleggers and frequently destroys Muir's projects. Yet, Moody has his noble impulses from time to time. The story is related through the alternatng voices of Ginny, the mother, and Muir. The setting is rural North Carolina in the early 1920's. The dialog is genuine and the writing poetic and striking (Not unusual for a respected poet, which Morgan also is). Scenes of violence are vividly rendered and contrasted with the religious fervor which emboldens Muir.
February 1, 2012
I wanted to give this 5 stars because I love the combination of the gritty storyline blended with poetic writing. There are so few books that I read slowly - I tend to skim a lot of most books. However, I found myself re-reading passages that were written so beautifully. I will definitely read the Morgan books I have not read yet.
June 13, 2014
A yawning plundering tale of nothingness.
October 2, 2021
Probably 2.5 stars. This story takes place in the 1920s in rural Appalachia and is told by Ginny, mother of Moody, Muir and Fay and also by Muir and is primarily about Muir and Moody. The story has very little plot which is OK if this is what the reader is interested in. Most of Muir’s part of what little plot exists is spent on his ruminating thoughts, most of which consist of him berating himself. For instance, early on in the book, about 3 pages are spent on his thoughts around cutting weeds. For me, the book was mostly boring and depressing as too much time was spent on a story going no where. Muir was very hard on himself but he also made impulsive decisions which ultimately lead to failure of some sort. And Ginny was an unlikable character because of how she treated Muir and allowed Moody to treat everyone else so poorly. No spoilers but these circumstances can’t have a happy ending. There was some satisfying resolution will Muir’s ruminations, wanderings and failures eventually resulting in his being able to speak his mind and become somewhat successful in spite of and because of Moody. The ending was just downright weird, unnecessary and creepy with (CAUTION) an unrelated incident involving a nest of rattlesnakes.
October 13, 2011
The relationship between the two brothers is what drew me to this book. I was hoping to gain some insight into my own two boys who are so different. Although it took me a while to get through the book; I am glad I kept with it. The insight I gained was about my own fears of failure and how empowering it can be to over come them. Fear paralyzes, and the fear of failure can prevent us from reaching our full potential. The FEAR is the biggest thing to over come once you've conquered that you can rise above anything. It's a perspective thing, keeping fear of failure from preventing me from pursuing my interests.
I was reminded of the value of supporting our children, friends and loved ones. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can tell our dearest companions is "you can do it".
I was reminded of the value of supporting our children, friends and loved ones. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can tell our dearest companions is "you can do it".
October 14, 2008
I chose this book after reading "Gap Creek" and "Oprah bookclub" book by the same author. "This Rock" is very similar in setting (rural North Carolina in the early 1900s) and tone; although this time the story is about a mother and her two sons as told by the mother and one of the sons. There are alot of religious overtones (and undertones). This one might be good for a bookclub discussion with men as the majority of the story focuses on the sons and how they grow from teenagers into men. The book seems to end then the author tacks on a "surprise" twist to the ending that I thought was distracting and unnecessary to the story as a whole.
October 17, 2011
I started reading this book and realized I'd read it maybe 5 years ago. If it wasn't for the fact that I have a stack of book waiting to be read, I might have re-read The Rock. It's that good!
I'm a big fan of Appalachian fiction and Robert Morgan is one of my favorite authors in that category. He is a phenomenal storyteller and creates really captivating characters.
If you haven't read The Rock or Gap Creek, I highly recommend them.
I'm a big fan of Appalachian fiction and Robert Morgan is one of my favorite authors in that category. He is a phenomenal storyteller and creates really captivating characters.
If you haven't read The Rock or Gap Creek, I highly recommend them.
July 18, 2017
Classic good vs. evil as two brothers attempt to live life on each of their own terms. This author takes the time to describe scenes in such detail that I felt as if I was a part of the story. I loved Gap Creek and this novel also delivered an engrossing story. Lessons can be learned if you look beyond the words. There is profound meaning in the symbolism. This is the kind of book that will appear in my mind as I attempt to figure out my path through life.
September 7, 2017
Characters well defined, story line predictable. But the poetic prose is devine! Robert Morgan is a local author in the Hendersonville, NC. I have read several of his books. I have attended a program where he read from one of his poetry books. But this was far and away the best. Characters, plot situations or any number of situations morfed into the most wonderful poetic prose. This is not something I usually enjoy or seek out, but so enjoyable in this book.
August 22, 2019
I have not read any other books by Robert Morgan before, but I have read quite a few other books from the rich literary area of the mountains of North and South Carolina. This book is part of a four book series of books that tell the story of intertwined characters. I think this would be book #3 in the series, but it did not hurt the story that I had not read the others. This story takes place in the early 1920s and is about two brothers, one quite religious and hardworking, Muir, and the other hard-drinking and lazy, Moody. It seems like a Cain/Abel or Jacob/Esau story and religious themes are strong in the book, but it is not a religious book. Many of the chapters are narrated by Muir, the others by his mother, Ginny. Muir struggles to know what his purpose is in life, but as he keeps trying new things, he often fails. It also bring out the conflicts between these two very different brothers. Morgan tells their story with beautiful writing, and tells the struggles each of these characters experience as they live their lives in the rural mountains along the North and South Carolina border. I will try read the remaining books in the series.
June 25, 2018
We get it, we get it, Pride is a bad thing. Pride keeps us from doing things and makes us do other things and generally holds us back. We get it already. While I understand the grammatical choices Morgan made were to set a mood etc I found them extremely distracting and fell they made the story that much more difficult to read. “I seen, I knowed, I eat” please make it stop!
Muir is a bore. All I could think of while reading the book was Holden Caulfield. But, they are about the same age so... Anyway, if I was Annie I would have jumped in that Model T with Moody too!
I’m not sure what Ginny’s point was supposed to be. I didn’t mind her but she never really did anything significant either. Maybe her’s was a more subtle story of pride I just am not seeing.
Morgan missed the real story he should have been telling us. He should have told us Moody’s story. He should have shared Moody’s voice and given us more of who Moody was in his soul.
Muir is a bore. All I could think of while reading the book was Holden Caulfield. But, they are about the same age so... Anyway, if I was Annie I would have jumped in that Model T with Moody too!
I’m not sure what Ginny’s point was supposed to be. I didn’t mind her but she never really did anything significant either. Maybe her’s was a more subtle story of pride I just am not seeing.
Morgan missed the real story he should have been telling us. He should have told us Moody’s story. He should have shared Moody’s voice and given us more of who Moody was in his soul.
April 4, 2021
Some Books are Sleepers
Robert Morgan wasted no time bringing his characters to life in This Rock. You’re immediately drawn to care about Muir, his family and his mission. But halfway through the story the focus takes a turn that for me stopped the story in its tracks. So many pages of description that didn’t advance the storyline tempted me to put the book down. But I’m so glad I kept going. Once Muir, Moody his brother, and Ginny, Muir’s mom, were back the story was riveting.
I particularly enjoyed the dialogue. Speaking naturally as they would brought them vividly to life.
I would like to see a sequel following Muir and, perhaps, Annie?
If you like stories about complicated family relationships between honest, uncomplicated people, I recommend This Rock.
Robert Morgan wasted no time bringing his characters to life in This Rock. You’re immediately drawn to care about Muir, his family and his mission. But halfway through the story the focus takes a turn that for me stopped the story in its tracks. So many pages of description that didn’t advance the storyline tempted me to put the book down. But I’m so glad I kept going. Once Muir, Moody his brother, and Ginny, Muir’s mom, were back the story was riveting.
I particularly enjoyed the dialogue. Speaking naturally as they would brought them vividly to life.
I would like to see a sequel following Muir and, perhaps, Annie?
If you like stories about complicated family relationships between honest, uncomplicated people, I recommend This Rock.
November 28, 2017
This is a difficult book in some ways. The author details the country and culture of western North Carolina almost lyrically. I grew up in a time and place not too far removed from this setting, and the details felt like home truth. But the story of the two boys' fractious relationship, the misunderstandings, the younger brother's haring off out of frustration with his lot was hard to follow and did not seem headed for any particular destination. If there is a symbolic lesson in the death of the elder brother, the release of the younger one's talent, and the abandonment of the unfinished church, that lesson escapes me.
June 16, 2018
I just had to keep on reading . . .
Not my usual kind of book but I was compelled to continue. The characters although uneducated, were so full of strength in trying to always do the right thing, to be kind to one another even when anger won over, who fought the good fight in living and dying. This book enriched my life.
Not my usual kind of book but I was compelled to continue. The characters although uneducated, were so full of strength in trying to always do the right thing, to be kind to one another even when anger won over, who fought the good fight in living and dying. This book enriched my life.
March 4, 2019
Morgan does do detail well to settle you down in western NC in the early 192o's but a lot of bizarre side stories in that left it with no cohesion and no rhythm...
lots of male angst on "this rock"
mom son flipping telling the story pulls it along and highlights families story over muir's story.
to many trails started and then abandoned i found nothing solid on "this rock"
November 10, 2022
This was good. I will say I wasn’t expecting the ending of the epilogue, and I kind of feel like it needs a sequel. I loved that towns I’ve actually been to and live near were mentioned in the book (Rocky Mount, Tarboro, and Hartsease), and even my 3x great grandfather’s surname was mentioned even though they weren’t from that area in particular.
September 12, 2023
I’ve read 3 of Robert Morgan’s books so far: Gap Creek, The Road from Gap Creek, and This Rock. I love all of them, but this one is my favorite. It is beautifully told, revealing the heart of the characters. It tells of sin and redemption, a mother’s love, brothers’ rivalries, desire for purpose, self-doubt, and finally, peaceable grace.
June 29, 2025
This book is beautiful. The writing is excellent. I could feel the air and see the mountains. Muir and Moody are brothers who fight day after day. Their mama is a great woman raising them as a widow. Muir wants to preach and build a church. Moody gets into trouble almost daily. I grew to love this little family.
October 11, 2017
I wasn't sure I was going to finish this book. I didn't really like any of the main characters and I was starting to get a little tired of them. It finally clicked about 2/3 of the way through and I did like the way it ended.
August 24, 2018
A good read but for me not a gripping story. Interesting because it takes place close to where I live but there are so many books to read - this one was given to me by a friend and I felt compelled to read it. It reminds me that where you are born and raised makes a huge difference.
July 23, 2022
Soms tref ik een boek dat ik vreselijk vind om te lezen en toch moet blijven door lezen. Omdat het de moeite waard is. Dat heb ik ook bij dit boek.
Ik heb echt moeite met de somberheid. De agressie. Het niet door hebben van ware aard en daardoor mensen verkeerd beoordelen. De kortzichtigheid. Het egoïsme. De lange beschrijvingen van trektochten. En de ellenlange doemsprekende preken. Wat een negativiteit. Wat een somberheid. En dan opeens een lichtstraal. Duidelijkheid. Medemenselijkheid. Een sprankje liefde. Om vervolgens weer in de duisternis terug te keren.
De duisternis hoort bij het verhaal. En maken de sprankjes licht bijna oogverblindend. Het is een intens verhaal. En ondanks de duisternis zeer de moeite waard om te lezen.
Ik heb echt moeite met de somberheid. De agressie. Het niet door hebben van ware aard en daardoor mensen verkeerd beoordelen. De kortzichtigheid. Het egoïsme. De lange beschrijvingen van trektochten. En de ellenlange doemsprekende preken. Wat een negativiteit. Wat een somberheid. En dan opeens een lichtstraal. Duidelijkheid. Medemenselijkheid. Een sprankje liefde. Om vervolgens weer in de duisternis terug te keren.
De duisternis hoort bij het verhaal. En maken de sprankjes licht bijna oogverblindend. Het is een intens verhaal. En ondanks de duisternis zeer de moeite waard om te lezen.
July 14, 2017
Good but ended too quickly.
August 9, 2017
Interesting enough to finish but not to recommend to anyone!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews