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If the Creek Don't Rise A Novel Leah Weiss Books

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If the Creek Don't Rise A Novel Leah Weiss Books

I honestly can not recall the last time I called in sick just so I could finish a book I'd begun the evening before.

This is for many reasons one of the very best books I've read in ages, and really good books, unfortunately, are rather rare these days for picky readers. I almost passed on it because reading about Appalachia is not of interest to me, despite family ties. But folks, the sense of place, of time, of people I've seen and talked with, was so eerily familiar--and uncomfortable in places--that I was hooked from the first page, as they say.

The characters, the ones you cheer for and the ones who irritate you and the ones you might take a 30-aught-six to without a qualm, are simply brilliant, each with his or her own distinct voice. There was not a cliche among the entire gaggle. Not one. Even the villains are graced with a history that gives you pause, and their actions, though reprehensible at best, and truly evil at worst, arise from a great deal more than the usual motivations.

This novel also contains the best--and most judicious--use of accurate North Carolina mountain dialogue I've heard since the last time I went to Decoration Sunday at the South Toe River Baptist Church within tobacco-spitting distance of Burnsville. I believe it should serve as a "how-to" manual for other writers whose fondness for dialect is often misplaced.

Then there's the plot, a string of points of view from the characters like salt-water pearls knotted on a golden chain. An amazing feat that again is rarely done well. I found no hint of what was to come, or how, which adds to what is, after all, a suspenseful tale. In this case, I thought the "getting there" was a heartbreakingly lovely, often painful, and quite satisfying journey in and of itself. Othe reviewers have provided the plot outlines but as usual, I prefer to say why the plot works for me.

Bottom line: I just bet you can't put this one down, or at least not for long.


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If the Creek Don't Rise A Novel Leah Weiss Books Reviews

I started reading this book last night about 10pm. After reading for a while I went to sleep and then woke up early to start again. The book was finished before 10am. I absolutely loved the story. I felt like I'd just gotten done watching a great movie. The characters all came to life and it left you with that "great book satisfaction" that also leaves you longing for more. I am excited to see more work by this author in the future. I'm glad I took a chance and branched out from my regular authors. I think I have a new favorite.
The dialect takes a bit to get used to, but as you learn more about the characters, you realize that it just rounds out your vision of the person. We get to know a number of characters really well, as most have a chapter or more devoted to them and the role they play in the life of Sadie Blue. Sadie's a young girl who has known only the Appalachian culture - and she's made a sad mistake in marrying a monster.

The town of Baines Creek has hired a new teacher for the one room school, which brings out the town's feelings about this "jasper", who knows nothing about their ways. Preacher Eli, has known the "different" - having been to the valley for his education. Birdie, the "medicine woman", cures most ills with her vast array of herbs and potions, while walking around with a crow nesting in her topknot. Marris and Gladys, Sadie's grandmother and aunt, have perfected the art of bickering over almost everything. Roy, Sadie's monster-husband, and his sidekick, Billy, are mostly drunk and up to no good - hunting, trapping and minding their still. Roy surfaces to beat Sadie regularly. Sadie's friends and relatives are concerned about her safety, particularly when she becomes pregnant.

If the Creek Don't Rise, conveys an authenticity about Appalachian life, that few know about or understand. The reader feels the truth in this tale of life there in the 1970's, and wonders how that culture has progressed. Is it still the land of outhouses and "revenuers" (probably called ATF now)? In this regard, the story is a learning experience, with a desire to learn more.

Rarely are readers given such well-rounded descriptions of characters and place. The plot moves along and becomes a page-turner. Weiss's comfortable prose (and the dialect, once you're used to it!) make this a thoroughly comfortable read that you don't want to end. Getting to the end employs some twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion, however. So, will we hear from the good folks of Baines Creek again? This reader hopes so!
I honestly can not recall the last time I called in sick just so I could finish a book I'd begun the evening before.

This is for many reasons one of the very best books I've read in ages, and really good books, unfortunately, are rather rare these days for picky readers. I almost passed on it because reading about Appalachia is not of interest to me, despite family ties. But folks, the sense of place, of time, of people I've seen and talked with, was so eerily familiar--and uncomfortable in places--that I was hooked from the first page, as they say.

The characters, the ones you cheer for and the ones who irritate you and the ones you might take a 30-aught-six to without a qualm, are simply brilliant, each with his or her own distinct voice. There was not a cliche among the entire gaggle. Not one. Even the villains are graced with a history that gives you pause, and their actions, though reprehensible at best, and truly evil at worst, arise from a great deal more than the usual motivations.

This novel also contains the best--and most judicious--use of accurate North Carolina mountain dialogue I've heard since the last time I went to Decoration Sunday at the South Toe River Baptist Church within tobacco-spitting distance of Burnsville. I believe it should serve as a "how-to" manual for other writers whose fondness for dialect is often misplaced.

Then there's the plot, a string of points of view from the characters like salt-water pearls knotted on a golden chain. An amazing feat that again is rarely done well. I found no hint of what was to come, or how, which adds to what is, after all, a suspenseful tale. In this case, I thought the "getting there" was a heartbreakingly lovely, often painful, and quite satisfying journey in and of itself. Othe reviewers have provided the plot outlines but as usual, I prefer to say why the plot works for me.

Bottom line I just bet you can't put this one down, or at least not for long.