Dimestore

A Writer's Life

By: Lee Smith

Narrated by: Linda Stephens

In her first work of nonfiction, Lee Smith deploys the wit, wisdom, and graceful prose for which she is beloved to conjure her early days in the small coal town of Grundy, Virginia - and beyond.

For the inimitable Lee Smith, place is paramount. For 45 years, her fiction has lived and breathed with the rhythms and people of the Appalachian South. But never before has she written her own story. Set deep in the rugged Appalachian Mountains, the Grundy of Lee Smith's youth was a place of coal miners, mountain music, and her daddy's dimestore. It was in that dimestore - listening to customers and inventing life histories for the store's dolls - that she began to learn the craft of storytelling. Even though she adored Grundy, Smith's formal education and travels took her far from Virginia, though her Appalachian upbringing never left her.

Dimestore's 15 essays are crushingly honest, always wise, and superbly entertaining. Smith has created both a moving, personal portrait and a broader meditation on embracing one's heritage. Hers is an inspiring story of the birth of a writer and a poignant look at a way of life that has all but vanished.

©2016 Lee Smith (P)2016 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"As [narrator Linda] Stephens shares Smith's collection of essays, which explore the indelible influence that the Appalachian region had on her imagination and creative life, listeners will begin to believe she IS the author. Bringing to life a forgotten world of local dime stores and a distinctive region with its own passions and eccentricities, Stephens casts a spell and breathes insight into Smith's candid observations..." ( AudioFile)

Much loved by a long time reader

I didn't realize this wasn't another novel when I saw it pop up. What a pleasant surprise to hear the life story of one of my favorite authors. Hearing about the places and experiences that inspired her wonderful books was a treat. I laughed and cried all weekend listening.

Great Memoir, Disappointing Narrator

Any additional comments?

This was a really lovely memoir, but I so, so wish that it had been read by Lee Smith herself. This narrator does not capture the warm southern accent that Smith has, and instead it feels forced and unappealing. Also, it grated on my every nerve that she pronounced Appalachian "appa-lay-shun." It seems like a huge oversight that the narrator of an Appalachian memoir wouldn't pronounce it "appa-latch-un," as is fairly universally considered the correct pronunciation, not to mention how Smith herself pronounces it. I'd say read this one but skip the audiobook!

Pronunciation matters!

I wish I had read this book in form rather than listening on Audible. The way the reader pronounces 'Appalachia' ruined it for me. It is clear the reader is not from the area she reads about...but this should have been caught by the author and editors. It is a sign of respect to pronounce a word as local tradition pronounces it. If you are from Southern Appalachia you will know what I mean. Pronunciation matters...ask Sharyn McCrumb who explains it well.

Did not like the narrator.

Though Lee Smith has reached her seventies, she has a wonderful gentile Southern accent that sounds much younger. The narrator sounded like an old lady from New York.

Enjoyed

Loved it but wish reader had been Lee or a Southerner to be more realistic.