These stories of growing up in Appalachia in the 1950s are funny and true, nostalgic and bittersweet. The characters are memorable: Miss Martha Anne Butler, "the last surviving member of a failed Southern family", whose grocery deliveries always included two pints of gin; the Reverend N.N. Upchurch, old Preacher No-No, whose nickname "pretty well summed up his opinion on most subjects"; and Aunt Laura, who knew to listen for the crack of dawn.
Our narrator faces the trials of growing up with humor, hope, and (usually) good grace. He saves Blue Horse Notebook Paper coupons to buy the world's heaviest coaster bike, engages in games of "Daring Miss Butler", taunts the shadowy Terrell Tubbs with his buddies, and uses the resources of his electronics class to invent a keyless ignition for Red McElroy's Ford pickup. The sweet and painful memories are all here, told in a storyteller's voice.
© and (P)1991 Donald Davis
"As wholesome as milk." (Raleigh News and Observer)
"Davis has interconnected this set of stories in such a way as to create a place...as memorable as Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon." (Lexington Herald-Leader)
"Outstanding stories. Outstanding Narrator"
My family and I listened to this in the car on a weekend trip. None of us were ready for it to end. My kids, ages 13 and 11, were particularly struck by the ending of the last story. You have to listen to this title!
"Donald's Finest moment"
We have listen to this audible over and over. I first had it as a tape and got it as an audible. Choices cost us something and this audible is an example of insight and lessons. Really good for 12 to 17 years old as some of the material is geared to that age.