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There are currently 18 member reviews
for The Hollow Ground
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Ann D. (Clearfield, PA)
The Hollow Ground
Auntie tells Brigid, the narrator of this novel, the tale of the "Great Forgetting" and the people of the pillaged town who would never know joy. Brigid loved the retelling of this story only to find that she and her family were doomed to live in just that place.
Natalie S. Harnett writes a novel set in a desperate area of the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania. Over generations families tried to eke out a living from dangerous mines run by ruthless owners. Brigid's family was one of them. They were cursed just be being poor and without an easy escape from the only fire in their lives. The coal mines burned and consumed the houses they lived in and the very air they breathed.
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Celia A. (Takoma Park, MD)
Less than I hoped for
I was interested to read a book set against the backdrop of the Centralia mine fires. But this book turned out to be less than I hoped for. I found it distracting to set the story in the context of a real historical event and then make up place names for it. In terms of the story itself, I felt no real connection to the characters. The only one that I felt came close to being fleshed out was the narrator. And her story was so overly melodramatic that I found myself thinking what more could possibly happen to this kid.
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Darra W. (Walnut Creek, CA)
"Valley of the Ashes"
Uncontrolled fires burn beneath the decaying town of Barrendale, PA, creating an apt metaphor for the secrets simmering just below the surface of the 'cursed,' coal-mining Howley family in this bleak coming-of-age novel. The unusual and atmospheric setting, and the resulting below/above-the-façade tension, are the novel's strong suit; less so the characters (sorry, but Brigid is no Scout Finch) and somewhat predictable mechanisms of the plot. Final analysis: good, but not great.
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Michelle M. (Palm City, FL)
Slow start
I measure a book by whether I can't put it down as soon as I start it. I could not get into this book. It jumped around too much and was depressing, The book moved along towards the end. I felt sorry for the daughter Brigid but even her character was confusing. I will not recommend this book to my book club.
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