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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
If you are a big fan of historical fiction...this novel may not be for you, but the afterword may.
McCrumb did some serious digging into the story behind the The Ballad of Tom Dooley, tracing it to a Civil War veteran, Tom Dula; and his married lover, Ann Melton. Melton's cousin, Laura Foster was murdered and Tom hangs for it. What McCrumb uncovers will interest history buffs, but if you're not a fan of reading unlikable narrators, this probably isn't for you. Despite that, I found this to be an entertaining story. McCrumb tells the story from the point of view of a minor witness in the trial, Ann Melton's cousin, Pauline Foster. McCrumb makes Pauline the catalyst for the actions, and a complete psychopath, possibly sociopath. Honestly, I still liked her better than Rachel from Girl on the Train; at least Pauline was openly manipulative and unfeeling.
While I didn't really get the Wuthering Heights thing (Tom was certainly no Heathcliff), I did really enjoy the counterpoint of Tom's defense attorney, Zebulon Vance. While his sections could be repetitive, the more he revealed about himself, the more he showed himself to be more like Pauline Foster than he would ever like to admit. It was a nice little twist.
This book could have easily been called American Psycho if the name hadn't already been taken.
McCrumb did some serious digging into the story behind the The Ballad of Tom Dooley, tracing it to a Civil War veteran, Tom Dula; and his married lover, Ann Melton. Melton's cousin, Laura Foster was murdered and Tom hangs for it. What McCrumb uncovers will interest history buffs, but if you're not a fan of reading unlikable narrators, this probably isn't for you. Despite that, I found this to be an entertaining story. McCrumb tells the story from the point of view of a minor witness in the trial, Ann Melton's cousin, Pauline Foster. McCrumb makes Pauline the catalyst for the actions, and a complete psychopath, possibly sociopath. Honestly, I still liked her better than Rachel from Girl on the Train; at least Pauline was openly manipulative and unfeeling.
While I didn't really get the Wuthering Heights thing (Tom was certainly no Heathcliff), I did really enjoy the counterpoint of Tom's defense attorney, Zebulon Vance. While his sections could be repetitive, the more he revealed about himself, the more he showed himself to be more like Pauline Foster than he would ever like to admit. It was a nice little twist.
This book could have easily been called American Psycho if the name hadn't already been taken.
While there are some things that I like about this novel (the details McCrumb gleaned from reading court documents) and somethings that I loathe (the characters are all selfish, petty, stupid, and vice-ridden), my main criticism is as follows: the material was too thin for a 300 page book. She should have written a novella of 180 pages.
I did not dislike this book, but I can't say it would be something I'd recommend. I listened to this book on my daily commute and more than once I was sure I was listening to the wrong CD because I was sure I'd already "read" that section. Ms. McCrumb disappointed me with this book - her past work was so wonderful. This book was over-long and far too complicated. The psychopathic Laura Foster was frightening and -- frankly -- unbelievable.
I was not familiar with the song or story when I first got this from the library.
I have to say the story is interesting in its luridness. There were three cousins sampling the favors of the same man and passing along venereal disease like a hand-me-down.
There are a few issues that I would have liked resolved cleanly, but I was thoroughly entertained.
I have to say the story is interesting in its luridness. There were three cousins sampling the favors of the same man and passing along venereal disease like a hand-me-down.
There are a few issues that I would have liked resolved cleanly, but I was thoroughly entertained.
I really enjoyed reading this, not so much at first but I got into it as I kept reading. Granted I read most of it (actually all but the first 50 or so pages) on a plane, it still kept me well entertained for those 5ish hours.
The characters McCrumb writes are SO well written. It's like character development without being obvious character development. Brilliant.
The plot is historically based and she tried her best to stick to the mystery, at the back she even has a few other motives/reasons for the murder (not a spoiler, trust me from the very beginning you know what happens- she just unfolds the past for you and it's quite intriguing) and gives a little explanation of the one she chose.
As a book club book I have to say this one goes up fairly high on the list of favorites, probably not top 10, maybe not top 15 (but there are so many because it's been 13 years) but it was a good read.
The characters McCrumb writes are SO well written. It's like character development without being obvious character development. Brilliant.
The plot is historically based and she tried her best to stick to the mystery, at the back she even has a few other motives/reasons for the murder (not a spoiler, trust me from the very beginning you know what happens- she just unfolds the past for you and it's quite intriguing) and gives a little explanation of the one she chose.
As a book club book I have to say this one goes up fairly high on the list of favorites, probably not top 10, maybe not top 15 (but there are so many because it's been 13 years) but it was a good read.
This is not Sharyn McCrumb's finest work. I have been a fan of her ballad novels for several years, but I can't rate this one very favorably.
The good: McCrumb is gifted to understand and convey the history of Appalachia, its people and ways and landscape. This novel does not belie these strengths.
The bad: There is hardly a likable character in this book, except maybe poor long-suffering James Melton and the honorable (and likely undervalued) Harriett Vance. The primary narrator is selfish and manipulative to the point of being sociopathic. The secondary narrator is vain and pompous, far more concerned about his own comfort and legacy than anyone around him.
The ugly: The fact that the book is full of unlikeable characters is not, for me, the worst part of this story. I don't think I could ever have gotten any more excited about these people than I did over the characters in Wuthering Heights (a comparison which is made by the author herself with good reason). But what really frustrated me about this story is the dreary repetition of these narrators' inner monologues. Vance in particular just keeps going on and on about the same things - how hard it was to make a living after the war, how he went from soldier to governor to (poor baby!) laborer in the law before going on to the senate. And how Ann is selfish and lazy, and Tom is selfish and lazy, and how they are both lazy and selfish, and isn't life just one weary and dreary cycle of want and worry?
If you've read through this entire review, you know enough about this book. You don't need to actually read it. Any curiosity you might have about the origins and truth of the Ballad of Tom Dooley can likely be answered by the internet, and any number of books will give you an equally grim (and likely more sympathetic) story of the south after the War. And pretty much any of Sharyn McCrumb's other ballad novels (though I have read most, I've not yet read them all) will be a more satisfying and transporting look at the history and culture of Appalachia. (In case you were wondering, it's my affection for those other novels that gave this review its second star.)
The good: McCrumb is gifted to understand and convey the history of Appalachia, its people and ways and landscape. This novel does not belie these strengths.
The bad: There is hardly a likable character in this book, except maybe poor long-suffering James Melton and the honorable (and likely undervalued) Harriett Vance. The primary narrator is selfish and manipulative to the point of being sociopathic. The secondary narrator is vain and pompous, far more concerned about his own comfort and legacy than anyone around him.
The ugly: The fact that the book is full of unlikeable characters is not, for me, the worst part of this story. I don't think I could ever have gotten any more excited about these people than I did over the characters in Wuthering Heights (a comparison which is made by the author herself with good reason). But what really frustrated me about this story is the dreary repetition of these narrators' inner monologues. Vance in particular just keeps going on and on about the same things - how hard it was to make a living after the war, how he went from soldier to governor to (poor baby!) laborer in the law before going on to the senate. And how Ann is selfish and lazy, and Tom is selfish and lazy, and how they are both lazy and selfish, and isn't life just one weary and dreary cycle of want and worry?
If you've read through this entire review, you know enough about this book. You don't need to actually read it. Any curiosity you might have about the origins and truth of the Ballad of Tom Dooley can likely be answered by the internet, and any number of books will give you an equally grim (and likely more sympathetic) story of the south after the War. And pretty much any of Sharyn McCrumb's other ballad novels (though I have read most, I've not yet read them all) will be a more satisfying and transporting look at the history and culture of Appalachia. (In case you were wondering, it's my affection for those other novels that gave this review its second star.)
Interesting backstory to a folk song. Interesting narrators. Sometimes a little repetitive, a little lagging towards end.
Maybe 3.5 stars, but Sharyn McCrumb is a contender for my favorite writer of all time, so this one gets graded on a curve. Many reviews I read awarded three or fewer stars because none of the main characters was likable. I didn't realize likability was a prerequisite for a favorable review! And, yes, there was a fair amount of repetition which felt tiring and monotonous. But, guess what? The lives these characters led were tiring, monotonous (except for a rare scandal or crime) and incredibly simple. These were illiterate, hardscrabble, dirt-poor, sometimes inbred, recent survivors of the most wrenching episode in U.S. history. Not a whole lot of material to spice up a tale based on a true story of that time and place. So, I give Sharyn extra credit for effectively evoking the essence of her subject matter.
Interesting from a historical standpoint, but Pauline doesn't make a very believable narrator.
Sets the record straight about Tom Dooley -- the Kingston Trio's version wasn't quite right. It was slow going -- none of the characters are very savory. McCrumb has obviously done her homework on this one.