Library2Go Audiobook Spotlight #7~ The Cove by Ron Rash
narrated by, Merritt Hicks
Synopsis: Deep in the rugged Appalachians of North Carolina
lies the cove, a dark, forbidding place where spirits and fetches wander, and
even the light fears to travel. Or so the townsfolk of Mars Hill believe-just
as they know that Laurel Shelton, the lonely young woman who lives within its
shadows, is a witch. Alone except for her brother, Hank, newly returned from
the trenches of France, she aches for her life to begin.
Then it happens-a stranger appears, carrying nothing but a
beautiful silver flute and a note explaining that his name is Walter, he is
mute, and is bound for New York. Laurel finds him in the woods, nearly stung to
death by yellow jackets, and nurses him back to health. As the days pass,
Walter slips easily into life in the cove and into Laurel's heart, bringing her
the only real happiness she has ever known.
But Walter harbors a secret that could destroy
everything-and danger is closer than they know. Though the war in Europe is
near its end, patriotic fervor flourishes thanks to the likes of Chauncey
Feith, an ambitious young army recruiter who stokes fear and outrage throughout
the county. In a time of uncertainty, when fear and ignorance reign, Laurel and
Walter will discover that love may not be enough to protect them.
This lyrical, heart-rending tale, as mesmerizing as its
award-winning predecessor Serena, shows once again this masterful novelist at
the height of his powers.
My Review:
This is a beautiful and heartbreaking book. Set in the
Appalachians during WWI and hate towards Germans is running rampant with the
help of one fervent recruiter Chauncey who is on a witch hunt for anything
German. At the same time on a farm in the cove lives Laurel a young woman with
a wine splotch birthmark that people in town say is a curse and call her a
witch and the townspeople won’t let her go to school because she may harm their
children. A superstitious lot they are, that makes for a lonely life for
Laurel, she does have her brother Jack who is back from the war missing a hand
but alive. When one day she hears the most beautiful flute music and sees a
raggedy man a few days later she finds him covered in bee stings and brings him
home. Walter recovers but seems to be a mute but that doesn’t stop sparks from
flying between him and Laurel.
I cared so much about these characters that towards the end
my stomach was knotted with worry and when events played out I was bawling
(should not have been listening to this at work!). This book evokes the times
and the place I felt like I was there. It is a love story but so much more it
is about the human condition and how people can be so incredibly hurtful
towards others. I loved Laurel and felt so bad for the way she was treated and
even though I figured out certain things about Walter, it didn’t matter, he was
one of the few people to show a kindness towards laurel and I think it was what
they both needed.
Merritt Hicks’ narration was spot on her southern accent was
great and her characters were all very distinct I always knew who was talking.
I will definitely listen to this narrator again!
As I said this novel is beautiful and heart wrenching all at
the same time, this is my first book by this author and will not be my last! I
think fans of southern fiction and historical fiction will like this one.
4 ½ Stars
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