Home to Big Stone Gap

A Novel

By: Adriana Trigiani

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTELLER • Ave Maria starts a new chapter in this wise, powerful, and humorous novel, the fourth book in the beloved Big Stone Gap series

“[Adriana Trigiani is] one of the reigning queens of women’s fiction.”—USA Today

Nestled in the lush Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the town of Big Stone Gap has been home for Ave Maria Mulligan MacChesney and her beloved family and friends for generations. But with her daughter, Etta, having flown the nest to enchanting Italy, Ave Maria has reached a turning point, and she realizes that it’s time to go in search of brand-new dreams. Yet before she can put her foot on the path, her life is turned upside down.

Ave Maria agrees to helm the town musical, a hilarious reunion of local talent past and present. A lifelong friendship collapses when a mysterious stranger comes to town and reveals a long-buried secret. An unexpected health crisis threatens her family. An old heartthrob reappears, challenging her marriage. An opportunistic coal company threatens to undermine the town’s way of life and the mountain landscape Ave Maria has treasured since she was a girl. Now she has no choice but to reinvent her world, her life, and herself, whether she wants to or not.

Millions of people around the world have fallen in love with the novels of the New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani, and she’s at her best in this exquisite book. Home to Big Stone Gap is an emotional and unforgettable journey that reminds us that you can go home again and again.

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

Go home again - don't miss the rest of the Big Stone Gap series.

©2006 Adriana Trigiani (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Once again, Trigiani captures the warmth of family, the comfort of a small town and the power of love. . . . Trigiani’s rich and expressive writing draws readers into Ave’s world with every word and captivates from beginning to end.”—Romantic Times Book Reviews

“Glorious setting . . . a sweet tale about life and loss in a small country town . . . There’s plenty of drama waiting for Ave Maria.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Funny and heartwarming . . . Her quirky characters are at once completely local and utterly universal.”—Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Fluff stuff

Could do without narrating the various recipes in the book - boring. Also the overall tone of this book and narration is sad and winsome.

Bad Narrator

Would you listen to Home to Big Stone Gap again? Why?

After listening to the entire Big Stone Gap series this book is a let down. I love the stories and just wish that Adriana had narrated this particular book. This narrator pronounces words incorrectly, fails at her southern mountain accent and is boring. I highly recommend the book but only if you can put the terrible narrator out of your head.

Family

It made sense to me . The continuation of our life cycle. The beginning of a new one

Love it BUT....

Love this series however Cassandra Campbell is no Adriana Trigani when it comes to narration. She does the "country" accent too hard. It came off as a southern accent and not Appalachian accent. It goes to show .. if you are not from this area then you have no idea how the dialect sounds. Adriana has Fleeta down perfect. I would have rather listened to the narrator talking in her normal speaking voice then listening to this southern "put on". Other than that she does have a "easy to listen to" voice. Just the dialect makes me cringe like nails on a blackboard.

Great Story, Disappointing Narrator

The other 3 Big Stone Gap books were narrated by the author and the performances are wonderful, funny and catchy. Trigiani’s narration is everything!
If this book was narrated by her, I would have enjoyed it much more. The monotone narration in the 4th and final book made it hard to listen to.

Another LOVE

I'm really sad that the series is over. That whole gang had been through some tough times but they made it out of them. They all grew a bit and I know a lot of people don't thin Ave grew very much, but I think she did. I loved hearing Jack more and how far Etta has gotten.

Those stories followed the natural progression of life of a family with flawed people. We're all flawed in some way and some more than others but recognizing it is important. And these characters learn their flaws. It's endearing and touching and even heartbreaking but it was beautiful just the same.

Adriana did a wonderful job with this series. Now I've read all of her books and I'm waiting for more.

Love this whole series!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Adriana Trigani created a world that just came to life for me with heartfelt very real characters and entertaining dialogue. I was always engaged and enjoyed this series so much.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Cassandra Campbell?

I just have to say I love Cassandra Campbell. She is one of my favorite narrators. However, after listening to the entire series with the voice of Adriana Trigani as Ave Maria, it was like the character just disappeared entirely. Adriana's voice was a part of Ave Maria for me, so I actually bought the Abridged version by her and stopped listening to this one.

Where's Adriana?

I didn't pay attention when I ordered this, but the narrator is not the author. For some that may not be a big deal, but in this case it is. I am working through the series and have enjoyed Ms. Trigiani's voice and character very much. This narration doesn't fit with the rest! Oh, the story is still a great story, but Iva Lou just doesn't sound right in Cassandra's voice!!

NEW NARRATOR WHY?????

What did you like best about Home to Big Stone Gap? What did you like least?

TO be honest, I have just started the story and have no idea where it will lead, but the fact that Adriana Trigiani is not the narrator is SO DISAPPOINTING. Ms Campbell does not have the accent that I have come to love and associate with all the characters of the previous books. I will continue to listen, but with regret.

Any additional comments?

Re release with Adriana narrating

Great Ending for the Series!

I live in this area and know many of the places mentioned in the full series Big Stone Gap books by Trigiani. While knowing the area is one of the reasons I enjoyed the books so much, another was the deceptive simplicity of the books, including this one. The characters stayed true to form throughout the series, the revelations of life matched much of my own experiences. The joy and the sorrow of love, family and friendships were also true to life. This last book in the series was satisfying in its ending while leaving the reader with the desire to know what comes next.

The only concern I had was the change of narrators throughout the series. This last reader did not have the flow of author in the second book which was disconcerting at the beginning. After a few chapters, I was able to connect to the voices of the reader and enjoyed the rest of the book performance.

I would highly recommend this series.