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.

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.

Well written

This story kept my attention. I felt every feeling for Maggie. You laughed, cried and were so happy for her. Loved it!

Strong Mountain People

reminds me of some of my childhood growing up in the Appalachian Mountains. Loved the book and the narrator did a great job

Tension with No Resolution

Interesting story which takes place near my home; characterization seems very true. But the author had a chance to present and resolve tension between two main characters, but the book just ends suddenly without that resolution.

Good story line!

Bring from the Kentucky area I can picture this story line in my head from all the story older relatives have told over the years.

The whining

The whining accent made it impossible to listen to. It would have been so much better without that. As an east Tennesseean, it was an insult.

The struggle families had in being poor and the heartbreak of losing children because of poverty.

I liked the story. I was raised in these same circumstances in the town where I was raised. Some families had a really hard time raising large families on low wages. The author was very good and came across as genuine. The narrator was great and should be given the books to read by those that just don’t have the voice for it. I turn away from a good book because the narrator is so bad.

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 ❤️