The Girl on the Mountain

By: Carol Ervin

Narrated by: Becca Ballenger

Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Untrue things are rumored of May Rose, but it's true she's too pretty for her own good. Her husband has disappeared, and now she's on her own in a rough town ruled by one of the lumber companies logging the last of West Virginia's virgin forest. The year is 1899, and a woman alone has few options.

With no resources but a litter of pigs and the attachment of an untamed girl, May Rose must find a way to survive with respect. She must also save the girl who sleeps with a doll clutched tight and a knife under her pillow.

©2012 Carol L. Ervin (P)2014 Carol L. Ervin

good, but ends abruptly >.<

Any additional comments?

I hope there's a sequel, because I feel like it ended in the middle of

kept me guessing

I kept wanting Mary Rose to get out of town! wish she would have taken all her family to Charleston!
I love that place!

Coming of age book

Didn't realize it was a. Oming of age book until I got pretty deep into it.
Kept reading though as O was looking for historical fiction and it was very descriptive

Narrator weak, but story great

narrator took some getting used to but the story was captivating. "Sold my soul to the company store" is now portrayed in a historical fiction novel and no longer only by song.

1899 W Virginia Logging Town & Humble Women

Keeping one's honor in a rough and tumble logging town where women are a commodity to be used up and thrown aside is hard to do . . . but one cannot help but to admire young May Rose who comes to town after her husband runs off accused of killing a fellow logger. Her love of children and gentle spirit are admirable, but her determination and hard work to not only provide for herself, but young Wanda, her husband's child that she finds in the town, well, that's true character. This is very good historical fiction. Don't miss it!

Nearly lost me with the performance at first

The performance in the beginning was difficult for me to listen to but it did improve. For the story, it gave me a glance into some of the past though I did t feel it was a reality type story foe the most part. Of course I admired the strength of the women. I also appreciated the non horrific way the "rough" scenes were described.

this one makes you think

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

She sought to be righteous, though they thought her a trollop. They injured her repeatedly, believing themselves to be the 'respectable sort'. Time after time, her efforts at righteousness were thwarted by their desire to "look respectable". It is a study in human nature and what it takes to stand true to yourself in spite of everything.

Which character – as performed by Becca Ballenger – was your favorite?

Ms. Ballenger was a challenge to listen to at first, because her voice is so youthful. But once I accustomed myself, she did a good job.

Awesome book!

Hated to stop listening and cannot wait to begin the next in the series. Thank you for writing this.
Dr. Sue Clifton

Best One So Far!

I sold my soul to the company store book.
The audio was perfect. I will look for more stories read by her. This book would make a remarkable movie.

An Old Fashioned Story for a New Era of Readers

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I found the main character, Mae Rose, to be too perfect, too much a "Mary Sue." She comes off as being the only truly virtuous and sensible character among so many flawed characters that I actually related to better. There was no character arc or development for her. Mae Rose is as sensible, hard working, perfect and amazing at the beginning as she is at the end. The only thing that has changed are the circumstances around her. That's not a good aspect of storytelling and plot development.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Ervin’s evocative and lyrical prose is reminiscent of fine Southern storytelling and moves the reader along with hypnotic elegance in Girl on the Mountain. As historical fiction, Ervin has clearly done her homework with the research and infuses the story with subtle detail and nuances of life in rural West Virginia circa 1899. From squealing pigs to baking pies and tending first aid treatments of the day, Ervin offers a very real look at this forgotten slice of Americana.

Which character – as performed by Becca Ballenger – was your favorite?

Wanda was a delight. I could easily see her just as Becca portrayed her through her voice and tone.

Did The Girl on the Mountain inspire you to do anything?

Yes, find a story to read with a more well rounded, developed character that is not such a "Mary Sue."

Any additional comments?

As an audio book it is well worth the read. The narrator, Rebecca Ballenger, has a lovely articulate voice that fits the eloquent prose and gritty mountain characters effortlessly. She also masters the various character voices throughout the story giving them a natural distinct flair without belaboring the Southern drawls and folksy charm. The story makes for an easy listen on a long commute or road trip or a great beach book to read as a hard copy or e- book.