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A review by alsway
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani
5.0
Big Stone Gap is the fourth story I have read by Adriana Trigiani. Took me awhile to get into this story (as it did for her novel "Rococo") and I figured out why. The author slowly builds the characters until she finally lets us in. It wasn't until I was more than a third into the book that I began loving the main character and all the others, that I wanted to find out more. I love Trigiani's writing! I love all the characters she creates. The story swept me up and pulled me in. Can't wait to read the next in this series.
Below is a passage from the thoughts of the main character Ave Maria about the passing of her mother. This is quoted near the end of book and moved me to tears, because Ave's loss and grief is universal.
“My mama knew I wasn’t ready to let her go, so she stayed until her passing would be a blessing, her suffering over. The terrible things that happen to us in this life never make any sense when we’re in the middle of them, floundering, no end in sight. There is no rope to hang on to, it seems. Mothers can soothe children during those times, through their reassurance. No one worries about you like your mother, and when she is gone, the world seems unsafe, things that happen unwieldy. You cannot turn to her anymore, and it changes your life forever. There is no one on earth who knew you from the day you were born; who knew exactly what to say when you were hurting; and who encouraged you to grow a good heart. When that layer goes, whatever is left of your childhood goes with her. Memories are very different and cannot soothe you the same way her touch did. If any sense can be made of my mother’s death, it would be that I was of some help to (name omitted) when he lost his mother. I hope I have been."
~From Big Stone Gap, by Adriana Trigiani
Below is a passage from the thoughts of the main character Ave Maria about the passing of her mother. This is quoted near the end of book and moved me to tears, because Ave's loss and grief is universal.
“My mama knew I wasn’t ready to let her go, so she stayed until her passing would be a blessing, her suffering over. The terrible things that happen to us in this life never make any sense when we’re in the middle of them, floundering, no end in sight. There is no rope to hang on to, it seems. Mothers can soothe children during those times, through their reassurance. No one worries about you like your mother, and when she is gone, the world seems unsafe, things that happen unwieldy. You cannot turn to her anymore, and it changes your life forever. There is no one on earth who knew you from the day you were born; who knew exactly what to say when you were hurting; and who encouraged you to grow a good heart. When that layer goes, whatever is left of your childhood goes with her. Memories are very different and cannot soothe you the same way her touch did. If any sense can be made of my mother’s death, it would be that I was of some help to (name omitted) when he lost his mother. I hope I have been."
~From Big Stone Gap, by Adriana Trigiani