(Note: I listened to this on audio. Please forgive any terrible misspellings of names.)
I admit that this book first grabbed my attention because of the beautiful cover, and then the story concept itself, but since I hadn’t read the author before, I decided to get it on audio instead of physical copy. I am often attracted to stories set in Appalachia because that’s where my ancestors are from, after they came to America from Scotland, Ireland, and England. I also love historical fiction that is based in historical fact. In this case, Cora Wilson Stewart was a real person who enacted great change in her community when she brought education to the illiterate adults in her community.
I thought the author’s way of showing this change was interesting and well handled. Instead of writing the story from the perspective of Cora, who has lived in the mountains for many years and was very comfortable in the culture, we spend the story in the perspective of her (fictional) cousin, Lucy Wilson. Lucy has lived in the city her whole life, and as such, I think was probably the most relatable window into the story for the majority of readers who also wouldn’t be familiar with Appalachian mountain culture. Lucy goes to work for Cora in the mountains, but thinks she’s going to be something like a secretary. However, Cora quickly makes her a traveling scribe for the illiterate mountain people to be able to have Lucy compose letters and other communication for them. Though uncomfortable with going so far outside her comfort zone at first, Lucy soon gets to know and eventually love these people and their unique and rich culture, and discovers that, contrary to popular stereotypes, just because they’ve never learned to read and write doesn’t mean they’re stupid. It does, however, mean they can be taken advantage of by dishonest people who would have them sign documents and contracts they can’t actually read, among other ways that illiteracy contributes to poverty. So, to help them have more control in their own lives, Cora, Lucy, and others work together to start ‘moonlight’ schools for them. (They were called moonlight schools because they were held at night so as not to get in the way of these people’s busy farm schedules.)
I loved seeing Lucy slowly step out of her comfort zone and sheltered existence and reach a point of understanding and caring for the mountain people. Though she was resistant at first, she soon realized that she had more in common with these people than she first thought. Along with the storyline about the creation of the school, I enjoyed the side plots about Lucy’s long-lost little sister (the resolution of which really surprised me, in a good way!), the gentle romantic element, and especially Finley James’ and Angie’s innocent little romance and conflicts. The multiple perspectives really added depth so you can see through the eyes of people living in the mountains as well as people from other places. Overall, it was a very satisfying story that I enjoyed from beginning to end, and wouldn’t mind having a physical copy at some point in the future so I can reread it in physical form.
5 stars.
Content Advisory:
Finley James considers ‘heck’ a swear word. It’s the only one his mother will let him use and he uses it a few times throughout. Brief mention that he uses a new swear he heard at the mill, but the word itself is not stated.
Brief mention of Lucy being uncomfortable that the mountain women have no qualms about exposing a breast in front of guests to nurse their babies. No actual description of the body part.
A few couples holds hands and shares a few kisses. Mild, brief description of some, but not all the kisses.
An older woman in the mountain community lets Angie read her dime-store ‘romance’ novels. Angie claims she only reads them because they’re the only interesting stories she has access to and she skips the racy parts. Sometimes. Lucy is appalled when she finds out and determines to find Angie more wholesome things to read.
Brief talk of moonshine as it is a deeply ingrained part of the culture of Appalachia even to this day. Mention that quite a few people in the region make or sell it, and most drink it. Mention that the sheriff himself sells it, though it’s supposed to be illegal. Someone who hasn’t drunk moonshine before accepts a glass only to quickly realize from mouth numbing and double vision that this was a mistake. They decline any more.
God and Christian faith mentioned throughout. Characters who are already Christians grow in their faith, and a couple of characters get saved by asking Jesus into their hearts.
Angie thinks one old woman in the mountain community is able to mix up ‘potions’ and the like. (It’s made clear that none of this woman’s ‘advice’ actually works, but this is historically accurate as beliefs one would have really found in Appalachian culture at the time.) At one point the woman tells Angie that if Angie says a certain rhyme while darning socks and then puts the socks under her pillow at night, she’ll dream of her true love, but Angie only dreams of socks. Later on, Angie believes she’s put a spell on Finley James that backfired by making him fall in love with Miss Lucy instead of her, but it’s clear a ‘spell’ had nothing to do with this, and everything to do with Finley James being a teenage boy with a crush. Angie eventually realizes she needs to ask Jesus into her heart and release her petty jealousies and desire for control.
- Goodreads rating – 4.23
- SUMMARY – EFB