I listened to this as an audio book, so my experience may be different that that of other readers'.The man and woman (I can't remember their names) did a very good job reading this book. They were engaging, not boring or irritating, and had good Appalachian dialects. 5/5 stars for them.I listened to Gap Creek a couple of months ago and enjoyed it for the most part (I gave it 4/5 stars) so when I saw this book at the library I thought I'd try it out. Somehow, this book didn't captivate me in the same way as Gap Creek.In Gap Creek I remember being annoyed that the author used a lot of "...he said," "...she said," lines which got old quickly. I didn't notice that nearly as much in this book. However, there were some sections where he started describing a scene that seemed to go on and on and on. Near the beginning, Muir was cutting grass and describing how much he enjoyed it even though his mom didn't deem it necessary compared to other tasks. Muir's internal monologue about grass cutting was excruciatingly long and boring. Also, from time to time, the author explained a situation/scene, added some dialogue, but then seemed to go back and reiterate the situation/scene again - not using the same exact words, but the same ideas. It just seemed redundant at times.Beyond those little times that irritated me, the story was pretty good. I liked the Appalachian setting and the early 1900s time period. The struggles between Muir and Moody and the mom were irritating at times - Moody was just a bad apple - but they did what they could at the time. This story is ultimately about the relationship between these three family members, and Muir finding his place in life. Muir likes to draw buildings, likes the church, and likes to trap animals in the woods. He tries a little bit of everything to ultimately find his place.
I am currently enjoying This Rock written by Robert Morgan, the author of Gap Creek which I really loved. The author does a good job of painting pictures with words. It is the story of two brothers (Muir and Moody) living with their mom and sister during the 1920's in rural Appalachia--North Carolina to be exact. Muir,the younger brother, is a shy, introspective dreamer while his brother Moody, (good name for him) is angry much of the time and given to gambling and moonshine whiskey. Moody's anger is often taken out on his brother. The boy's father dies prematurely and mother, Ginny is left to raise her boys and their two sisters alone--a tough assignment indeed. Each chapter is written either from Muir's or his mother Ginny's perspective--interesting that we don't know how Moody feels about anything, only how he reacts. It's a bit of a Cain and Abel story and the author has successfully drawn me in and keeps me wondering how it will end. This is a book for people who don't need complicated plots but enjoy lush, vivid, descriptive writing. I guess that would be me. :o)
What do You think about This Rock (2002)?
"This Rock" was extremely well-written, and even though the cast was entirely different, the mood was reminiscent of Morgan's more known "Gap Creek." The characters' lives are simple, and it's almost as though that simple living is the antagonist. Muir and Moody simply don't know that they could do better. Ginny, their mother, has little ambition beyond one of her sons receiving some sort of calling, but she doesn't seem particular as to what that calling may be. Muir leaves his home, and realiz
—Cathy
This is the third historical novel I've read in the past three years from Robert Morgan, my longago undergrad creative writing professor. I began with Brave Enemies, a more recently written novel but set in Revolutionary times. I then pro/regressed to his Gap Creek, which spanned the turn of the 19th-20th century with the story of a young couple struggling to survive- at all, much less as husband and wife. And with This Rock, we skip a generation ahead in the same Carolina border region; not strictly a sequel to the prior one (though its speaking-voice character Julie and her husband Hank both appear in it, in quiet supporting roles), but it advances early century life a bit, with more modern conveniences appearing but, still, a simpler life, lived off the land and where hard work, rather than cash, is the essential currency of everyday existence.The tale is largely of a mother and two brothers, but only the mother and the brother Muir tell it, in mostly alternating chapters. They overcome obstacles of self-confidence, anger and mostly bootlegging-oriented lawlessness before Muir finally finds his place in life and builds it.Not a lot of action, but a lot of love.
—Ray
The relationship between the two brothers is what drew me to this book. I was hoping to gain some insight into my own two boys who are so different. Although it took me a while to get through the book; I am glad I kept with it. The insight I gained was about my own fears of failure and how empowering it can be to over come them. Fear paralyzes, and the fear of failure can prevent us from reaching our full potential. The FEAR is the biggest thing to over come once you've conquered that you can rise above anything. It's a perspective thing, keeping fear of failure from preventing me from pursuing my interests. I was reminded of the value of supporting our children, friends and loved ones. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can tell our dearest companions is "you can do it".
—Annabelle
