Big Cherry Holler

By: Adriana Trigiani

Narrated by: Adriana Trigiani

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Ave Maria must decide between old love and new adventures in this enthralling second novel in the beloved Big Stone Gap series

“Heartwarming . . . Everything that really matters is here: humor, romance, wisdom, and drama.”—The Dallas Morning News

Eight years have passed since Ave Maria Mulligan married Jack Mac, moved up into the hills, and dug in her roots even deeper. But Ave Maria soon discovers that the mountains cannot shelter her from the painful lessons of the heart. As her life reaches a crossroads, almost everybody in town has advice to offer—including the Bookmobile’s self-appointed sexpert Iva Lou Wade, savvy pharmacy owner Pearl Grimes, crusty chain-smoking cashier Fleeta, and of course, the always-wise band director Theodore Tipton. But when Ave Maria takes her daughter to Italy for the summer, her passion for a seductive stranger will test her marriage—and push her to choose the man who is truly her destiny.

At once funny and deeply poignant, resonant with the power of love and forgiveness and the unexpected events that force us to stake a claim in our own lives, Big Cherry Holler is a wise, wonderful story to treasure.

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

Critic reviews

“[Adriana] Trigiani is a wonderful storyteller. . . . Readers will enjoy Big Cherry Holler immensely.”—USA Today

“Trigiani never loses hold of the hearts of her characters—or of the wisdom that tragedy and redemption are also part of life.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“As skillfully as Ms. Trigiani makes us laugh, she makes us cry.... This novel shares the strengths of Big Stone Gap. Its dialogue is perfectly tuned to the speech of Southwest Virginia. Its settings—a mountain town in Virginia and a mountain town in Italy—are portrayed accurately, with beautiful detail. Its pace never lags for a moment. Big Cherry Holler builds on these strengths and moves to a more involving emotional level. . . . Satisfying reading.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Trigiani can make you laugh in one sentence then break your heart the next. Her Big Stone Gap series is sure to become the next Mitford.”—The Clarion-Ledger

“A big-hearted novel that alternates dollops of comfort with moments of folksy charm and stark poignancy . . . Ave is a spunky and likable narrator; the novel is populated with many of the same characters readers found endearing the first time around; and the story of a mother grappling with grief over the loss of a child is genuinely moving.”—Publishers Weekly

“Recommended . . . This novel of love and forgiveness delivers its story in a believable manner. Ave Maria remains someone readers would like to know, and Iva Lou, her librarian friend, still has her finger on the pulse of Mars/Venus relationships in this neck of the woods.”—Library Journal

“Trigiani provides plenty of colorful scenery, whether she’s traversing the Appalachians or the Alps. Her narrative canters along at a lively pace, and her supporting characters, especially Iva Lou and Fleeta, supply comic relief.”—The State

“Big Cherry Holler is every bit as engaging as its predecessor is and bittersweet. Trigiani fans will want more pages to turn.”—Style Weekly

Loved it

What made the experience of listening to Big Cherry Holler the most enjoyable?

Though it took me some time to get used to Adriana Trigiani's voice, by the time I was reading Big Cherry Holler, I was loving it and visualizing the characters in my head. I loved following the various people in the book and began taking a vested interest in the wellbeing of Ave Maria and her family.

What does Adriana Trigiani bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her accents were spot on. I loved them and though I couldn't see how, after listening to her more recent books, I could get into a book such as Big Stone Gap, I very much did.
I think that since Ms. Trigiani grew up in the area where the story takes place, she was able to capture the feeling of the culture of this society.

If you could take any character from Big Cherry Holler out to dinner, who would it be and why?

For sure it would be Ave Maria. I loved the way as she was talking to people, she reflected immediately on her inner thoughts which were often quite different from the way she was coming across to the person spoken to. I could really relate to her perspective much of the time.

Any additional comments?

This series is nothing short of delicious. I have just read the third book and have just downloaded the fourth. xxxAdriana

Story line

I love all the characters!! I will miss all of them when I'm done with the series

Growing Pains in Mountains of Virginia

This is the second of the Big Stone Gap stories. Ava Maria and Jack have been married about ten years and have the sweetest little girl, Etta. Their marriage is facing "growing pains" . . . they've lost their precious four year old son, Joe to leukemia three years earlier, and grief does horrible things to people. When the coal mines close, Jack loses his sense of identity and Ava Maria doesn't help things by having no clue as to how men tick. In my opinion, neither Jack nor Ava Maria help the situation much . . . both retreating to their own corners and flirting with disaster . . . as humans sometimes do . . . I could have done with a little more depth and wisdom at that point . . . but all and all, I love the characters in this series. The narration is perfect, and by the author. I'm listening to next book already, Milk Glass Moon.

Just the book I needed

A perfect escape book -- likable, fun characters -- late 1970's Virginia coal mining town - just a great listen. The author narrates the book with wonderful expression that brings each character to life and gave me plenty of out loud laughs. Relationships are sensitively explored and evolve leading to #2 in this trilogy.

LOVE THIS AUTHOR!

I happen upon her book "Big Stone Gap" by chance. I was not familiar with Adriana,, but I read the reviews and purchased the audio version. Wow! Loved it! But, what makes the books in this trilogy even better, in my opinion, is Adriana, herself, is the narrator of them. I love the characters. I love the author's humor, and how she brought the characters to life. I actually laughed out loud at times.

Amazing!!!! Surpasses the original

Couldn’t stop listening! This entire story is made by the masterful narration from the author. Can’t wait to start the third installment!

Loved the characters

The audio really made the difference for me. All the characters were done by the author.

Excellent

Such a great book on the dance of marriage. Loved the narration and the story line!

Great sequel

If you could sum up Big Cherry Holler in three words, what would they be?

Honest, funny and redeeming

Who was your favorite character and why?

Iva Lou a true friend

What does Adriana Trigiani bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She reads with inflections that I wouldn't get reading it myself - which adds
to the real feeling behind the characters

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed through out the entire book!!!! I got choked up when Jack
and Ave renewed their love

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for book three!

Wow!

I cannot believe how much this book speaks to my personal marital struggles. Thank you!