Helpful Score: 6
A wonderful story set in Appalachia. Clay, a coal miner, lost his mother when he was quite young but grows up in the heart of his family. The story starts with Clay as an adult, searching but not really understanding what he needs. The journey is deftly told, the characters achingly true. The author does a masterful job portraying a sense of place and culture, with love and respect. I loved the characters and would enjoy reading about them again. Thanks, House, for a lovely piece of work.
Helpful Score: 5
Very nicely written novel which takes place in Kentucky. Gives you a real feel for the Appalachians and the people who live there.
Helpful Score: 4
WOW! I was mesmerized from the beginning. The prose was flawless. Definitely one of the best books I have read about contemporary life in Appalachia as we enter the 21st century. The characters are so well developed, and the storyline is compelling. But, what struck me the most was the author's unwillingness to make apologies or gloss over the the ignorance, abuse and violence, at that time and place. His love of the mountains and it's people, its culture, the strength of the family, his presentation of his world is a gift I will long treasure, and pass to my loved ones. As Southern Living reviewer wrote: "a long love poem to the hills of Appalachia".
Helpful Score: 2
A fabulous book! I love this author, and not just because he's from KY either!
Helpful Score: 2
Nice read about the hills of Kentucky and the relationships among its three dimensional characters.
Helpful Score: 2
Very good story of those who live in the hills of Kentucky.If you like Lee Smith or Sandra Dallas this novel is for you. I really liked it!
Helpful Score: 2
Anyone interested in, or having roots in, the Appalachia Mountains will enjoy this book. The book takes one directly to the mountains from the very first page, "we ain't got no choice but to try now," The speaking patterns of the characters, excellent word choice and vivid description will draw you right into the story. Lovely story. We see the loyalty to family, the church, substance abuse and violence and also deep values and love for the region.
Helpful Score: 1
Thoroughly unexpected, but a brilliant read.
A great read. If you're a quilter and enjoy mountain tales you will love this book.
One of the best books I've ever read. You can feel the heart of each character. It is about life in Southern Applachia. The follow-up book is A PARCHMENT OF LEAVES and I highly recommend both reads. The 3rd in the series is on my wish list.
This is an excellent author and I think he will become one of our classics.
This is an excellent author and I think he will become one of our classics.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and you really wanted everything to work out well. I would recommend it.
I thought the story read a little slow - but nice reading. The family is based in the Southern traditions with love and sorrow. It's a story of how emotions emerge from within the inner self.
The death of a mother, emerging love, and realization of life's slow but eventual twists and turns.
The death of a mother, emerging love, and realization of life's slow but eventual twists and turns.
"Clay's Quilt" along with "The Coal Tatoo", both by Silas House are 2 of my favorite books.
Part coming-of-age story and part paean to Appalachia, this impressive first novel tells the story of Clay Sizemore, orphaned in a violent act that has left its scars throughout his extended family.
House, who is in fact an Appalachian native, has a keen ear for dialogue and a gift for creating characters who come to life on the page. He treads a fine line through the practices of the Pentecostal church, which influences virtually everyone in the book, whether they are practitioners or not. And the music of the region is practically a character in its own right.
If there's a flaw here, it's that there's not a lot of internal tension. The characters go along in their day-to-day lives and even the underlying love story unfolds without a lot of high drama. The few violent confrontations, driven by alcohol, drugs, and jealousy erupt, play out, and mostly disappear quickly, even though they drive much of the plot.
The quilt metaphor is handled nicely, but so subtly that if it wasn't played up in the title, it might have gone largely unnoticed.
I doubt this book is going to change anyone's life, but it's a nice read and would make a good book club selection.
House, who is in fact an Appalachian native, has a keen ear for dialogue and a gift for creating characters who come to life on the page. He treads a fine line through the practices of the Pentecostal church, which influences virtually everyone in the book, whether they are practitioners or not. And the music of the region is practically a character in its own right.
If there's a flaw here, it's that there's not a lot of internal tension. The characters go along in their day-to-day lives and even the underlying love story unfolds without a lot of high drama. The few violent confrontations, driven by alcohol, drugs, and jealousy erupt, play out, and mostly disappear quickly, even though they drive much of the plot.
The quilt metaphor is handled nicely, but so subtly that if it wasn't played up in the title, it might have gone largely unnoticed.
I doubt this book is going to change anyone's life, but it's a nice read and would make a good book club selection.
I didn't expect to enjoy this book but I really did. The vernacular sounded true instead of grating, like I thought it might. I recommend this and will look up more of House's work.
Swapped this book for my daughter whp is becoming a CNM (certified nurse midwife). This is for her bookcase. It will not be reposted.
