Big Stone Gap

A Novel

By: Adriana Trigiani

Narrated by: Adriana Trigiani

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first novel in the beloved Big Stone Gap series, now a major motion picture written and directed by Adriana Trigiani, starring Ashley Judd, Patrick Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg, John Benjamin Hickey, Jane Krakowski, Anthony LaPaglia, and Jenna Elfman

“Delightfully quirky . . . chock-full of engaging, oddball characters and unexpected plot twists.”—People (Book of the Week)

It's 1978, and Ave Maria Mulligan is the thirty-five-year-old self-proclaimed spinster of Big Stone Gap, a sleepy hamlet in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She’s also the local pharmacist, the co-captain of the Rescue Squad, and the director of The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, the town’s long-running Outdoor Drama. Ave Maria is content with her life—until, one fateful day, her past opens wide with the revelation of a long-buried secret that will alter the course of her life. Before she knows it, Ave Maria is fielding marriage proposals, trying to claim her rightful inheritance, and planning the trip of a lifetime to Italy—one that will change her view of the world and her own place in it forever.

Millions of readers around the world have fallen in love with the small town of Big Stone Gap, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and its self-proclaimed spinster. Full of wit and wonder, hilarity and heart, Big Stone Gap is a gem of a book, and one that you will share with friends and family for years to come.

WINNER OF THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA ANNUAL LITERARY AWARD

Don’t miss any of Adriana Trigiani’s beloved Big Stone Gap series
BIG STONE GAP • BIG CHERRY HOLLER • MILK GLASS MOON • HOME TO BIG STONE GAP

©2003 Adriana Trigiani (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Delightfully quirky... Chock full of engaging, oddball characters and unexpected plot twists.” (People)

"As comforting as a mug of chamomile tea on a rainy Sunday." (The New York Times Book Review)

“Charming... Readers would do well to fall into the nearest easy chair and savor the story." (USA Today)

Soupy

Although there were parts of this story I thought were enjoyable, it was a bit too soupy for my taste.

Incredible Stone Gap!!!!

What did you love best about Big Stone Gap?

The ease by which your were drawn into Ave Maria's. life and predicaments. Her voice was commanding and soothing at the same time. Would compare it to comfort food that makes you feel soothed and satisfied.Her problems became real to the reader as well as to herself. I reread (listened) to these books as soon as I was done with them.

What other book might you compare Big Stone Gap to and why?

Queen of the Big Time. Another of Adrianna's books. I love books that go through generations of families. She brought America and the family's ties to Italy together in this one as well. Stressing family values no matter how much outside pressure is being placed on it's members. She is one of my favorite writers.

Which scene was your favorite?

I think when she decided to leave Joe Mack. She was filled with self righteous indignation, but her friend took a hard stand and made her truly take a look at who she was and what she had done herself. It was her Ah Hah moment.

If you could rename Big Stone Gap, what would you call it?

Ave Maria's Rite of Passage? Finding Yourself Amongst the Chaos?

Any additional comments?

Would love to hear her read Queen of the Big Time. I think the reader can make or break a book. She would definitely make this one. Hope she keeps writing LOVE her style and story lines.

About a SPOILER ALERT

I loved this book and planned to read the following 2 books of the trilogy. At the final chapter there is an interview with the author and director of the audio books. It was more than disappointing to hear remarks about book 2 that spoiled it for me. Really? Why would they not think it would spoil it for readers?

love it

one of my all time favorites, really love the details and the characters. Very believable

Incredible writing and narration

The author narrates this funny and heartwarming story of a trilogy and it is delightful, Now, I’m definitely listening to the next two!

LOVE TIS SO MUCH!!

This book is funny, fun, touching, sweet, and so relatable. Def one of my fav books ever!

Charming, real, and wonderful!

I love it when an audiobook is narrated by its author. Adrianna's performance is the best part of the book!

Good Mountain People Story

I loved the vocal of this story. I think listening made it much more interesting than reading it.

Wow

Enjoyed every minute and each character in Big Stone Gap. Ave Maria' s sense of humor had me laughing out loud!

I really enjoyed the interview in
Ch. 12 that clarified why the audible version would be a better choice over the hard copy.

Thank you for the pleasure of getting acquainted with the residents of Big Stone Gap!

One of my faves

This is absolutely one of my favorite contemporary works of fiction. So sweet, and AT writes with superglue.