Appalachian Daughter

De: Mary Jane Salyers

Narrado por: Bailey Carr

On the last day of eighth grade, Maggie begins to dream of finding a way to escape the drudgery and confinement of life in the hollow and establish her independence. Her plan begins to fall in place when she enters high school and discovers she has a natural talent for excelling in shorthand, typing, and other business classes. Meanwhile she spares no effort in helping her family continue to survive despite their poverty, a less than fertile few acres, and a family history of instability. The typical spoken language, folkways, traditional beliefs, and religious practices are skillfully woven into this portrait of Appalachian family life. The author's sympathetic insights into mountain culture combined with memorably etched characters and events create a realistic reflection of Tennessee mountain life during the decade following World War II. Maggie's life takes an unexpected turn when her cousin JD reveals a dark secret that could shatter the family. Maggie struggles to maintain her dreams of a better life amidst the many trials that will test the grit of this Appalachian Daughter.

©2014 Mary Jane Salyers (P)2017 Tantor

take me home to the mountians

well written and narrated stirred up memories of growing up in the foothills. Loved it

I could envision this young girl and her family in the “holler.”

I could envision this young girl and her family in the “holler.” You feel the pain of their losses and cheer for her to succeed. I’d like to read more books from this author.

I loved the slow pace

I would love to know what happens next in Maggie’s journey! As a southern girl myself, I loved the realness of the story ❤️

overall really good

really good narration, would recommend.
ending could have been better, mother really harsh, I love Appalachian stories.

volume varies too much.

Sound production was really frustrating. The narrator was alternating very soft or very loud. I had to keep adjusting the volume either to hear her or to not be blasted away.

An Accurate Portrayal of Appalachian Families 1950s

While the story lacked some depth for me I am still rating it high because it simply captures an accurate portrayal of a young woman seeking education in rural Appalachia and some of the barriers she encounters. While I was a few decades after this - I was the first to graduate from high school in my family (southern WV/eastern KY) and I could very much relate to some of the struggles Maggie faced. A sweet story and will resonate with those that grew up in the mountains. Would have liked to have seen a stronger link with the grandmother’s diary. It had more potential than the outcome but I still very much enjoyed it.

Happiness

I loved everything about this story it was so beautifully written and easy to understand the characters and how each one was different and wonderful. This book is about life as it relates to everyone no matter where you’re from.

Loved the characters and the struggles

I loved the narrations, the characters were easy to bond to, the story had all the emotions, struggles, and joy. It was a really great story and a truly enjoyable listen.

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Great read but suddenly over

The story was well- written and very engaging up to the end… then it was suddenly over…. Maybe an epilogue could have tied up loose ends.