Appalachian Daughter

By: Mary Jane Salyers

Narrated by: 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.