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bookishblond's review against another edition
4.0
Chilling and suspenseful, Serena is American historical fiction at its best. The gloomy, claustrophobic Appalachian mountains of the early 1930's are a perfect setting for this tale: the hopelessness and poverty are an excellent backdrop to the lives of wealthy Serena and working class Rachel, framed by a Greek chorus of timber workers.
ecrummy's review
3.0
I'm not sure how this book appeared on my list of "to reads" but it was there, and I read it.
Set in the 30s, the book follows newlyweds Serena and George as they build their timber empire in North Carolina. Serena is our focal point - she is capable, brilliant, ruthless, driven, and...well, just plain evil. Her husband is also these things, but to a lesser extent. He's quite willing to follow her lead, until she wants harm to befall on his illegitimate son. And I think we all know how that went for him.
I wasn't too keen on this one. Serena's aloofness bothered me quite a bit - if she loved her husband as much as she stated, shouldn't she have let her guard down around him? But she spoke as dispassionately towards him as she did everyone else, so she really just seemed like some passionless, ethereal being. But she apparently wasn't, and loved him very much. This disconnect was maybe the point, but for me it was hard to get into her character, and thus the story. I was quite happy when George started unraveling, because, finally, SOMEONE was reacting to SOMETHING.
I can see why people enjoyed it, but the detached writing made it hard for me to get into. Happy to move on to something else.
As an aside, I should have counted the number of times the author used "coupled." Egregious.
Set in the 30s, the book follows newlyweds Serena and George as they build their timber empire in North Carolina. Serena is our focal point - she is capable, brilliant, ruthless, driven, and...well, just plain evil. Her husband is also these things, but to a lesser extent. He's quite willing to follow her lead, until she wants harm to befall on his illegitimate son. And I think we all know how that went for him.
I wasn't too keen on this one. Serena's aloofness bothered me quite a bit - if she loved her husband as much as she stated, shouldn't she have let her guard down around him? But she spoke as dispassionately towards him as she did everyone else, so she really just seemed like some passionless, ethereal being. But she apparently wasn't, and loved him very much. This disconnect was maybe the point, but for me it was hard to get into her character, and thus the story. I was quite happy when George started unraveling, because, finally, SOMEONE was reacting to SOMETHING.
I can see why people enjoyed it, but the detached writing made it hard for me to get into. Happy to move on to something else.
As an aside, I should have counted the number of times the author used "coupled." Egregious.
kamckim's review
5.0
I loved this one, and every book I read by Ron Rash makes me love him more. This one was no different. I love his world, as harsh and evil as it is. I find redemption there.
jesassa's review
2.0
Surprisingly disappointing. Zero character development, no decent explanation of motive. It got to the point where I just thought "okay, okay, enough already, end." I wonder how the movie will be though
briandice's review
4.0
A beautifully crafted novel of a 20th century Lady Macbethian protagonist with eyes on the world's timber, starting in rural North Carolina. Rash paints a vivid picture of a lumber camp and utilizes the sawyers perfectly as the Greek chorus element in the story. The author also has a deft hand at creating characters - both male and female - even minor actors in the story have the heft of an author who knows the craft. The coda presented a plausible and fine ending, but I would have enjoyed the book just as much without it.
Highly recommended - I will definitely be reading more of Rash's work. Thanks again to Anthony Vacca for the recommendation.
Highly recommended - I will definitely be reading more of Rash's work. Thanks again to Anthony Vacca for the recommendation.
jdintr's review
5.0
This was one of the best books I've read in the past four years, an ambitious, novel that is equal parts epic and tragic, Shakespearean and Greek.
Set in the wooded coves and bald mountains of western North Carolina, the novel traces the villainous couple, Serena and Pemberton, as they slash and burn their way through timbered valleys, trying to stay one step ahead of the U.S. Department of Interior's push to acquire land for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
I couldn't help but think of Macbeth as the story unwound, for Serena's ambition is even greater than Pemberton's, and she pushes him to the edge--and over--as the couple warily manages the federal government and other investors who have designs on their land. Once Serena picks up an evil henchman and his witch of a mother, "double double boil and bubble" are we ready to rumble!
The murders are narrated by a clever Greek chorus of loggers and sawyers, who balance their observation of news with observations of nature and the deteriorating scenery around them. The Macduff character, an incorruptible sheriff, struggles to preserve a shred of innocence in his county but ultimately succumbs to the destruction disease.
One thing I've learned about Ron Rash is that he knows how to end a book. The final two chapters are a perfect ending to this splendid, wonderful book.
Set in the wooded coves and bald mountains of western North Carolina, the novel traces the villainous couple, Serena and Pemberton, as they slash and burn their way through timbered valleys, trying to stay one step ahead of the U.S. Department of Interior's push to acquire land for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
I couldn't help but think of Macbeth as the story unwound, for Serena's ambition is even greater than Pemberton's, and she pushes him to the edge--and over--as the couple warily manages the federal government and other investors who have designs on their land. Once Serena picks up an evil henchman and his witch of a mother, "double double boil and bubble" are we ready to rumble!
The murders are narrated by a clever Greek chorus of loggers and sawyers, who balance their observation of news with observations of nature and the deteriorating scenery around them. The Macduff character, an incorruptible sheriff, struggles to preserve a shred of innocence in his county but ultimately succumbs to the destruction disease.
One thing I've learned about Ron Rash is that he knows how to end a book. The final two chapters are a perfect ending to this splendid, wonderful book.
beth_diiorio's review
4.0
I don't think, until now, I've come across such a cold-hearted, calculating, self-centered, controlling female character. Holy smoke...she needs some therapy!
amyclay's review
3.0
I had a really hard time getting into this book. So many character names to keep up with and not enough development for some. I kept forgetting who was whom. Maybe I got a little bored with the more in depth description of the logging business. But the last 1/4 or so of the book was really good. I enjoyed Rachel's story and would have like to have a tad bit more. I do think this will translate well into a movie and look forward to seeing it later this year.