Many thanks to TLC Book Tours & Amazon Publishing for gifting me this lovely novel and including me on this book tour!
Mixing magical realism and women's fiction, Bobi Conn's debut novel is as ethereal as it is grimly palpable. Knowing little about the Appalachian way of life prior to reading this novel, the author did a tremendous job of drawing me in to the reality of it all.
Conn imagines women that are strong, but restricted by the time and place they inhabit. In the case of the main female protagonist, that strength is nearly vanquished, which allows the reader to experience her complete sense of dejection. The story is evocative and engrossing, and the setting is incredibly vivid. I found myself rooting for Rosalee, and later Bethany, hoping for reprieve for these poor, sweet girls.
I struggled with the age that these young girls were forced into marriage, but know it was a way of life for many during this time period and beyond. As with any novel that deals in the harsh realities of historical fiction, it was hard to read some of the scenes. The physical and sexual abuse toward women of each generation was a lot to stomach, but sadly necessary to portray the truth.
Kudos to Bobi Conn for a well-written, immersive novel.
Read 9/12/22
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