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Peggy K. (San Marcos, CA)
Mountain Lore
This a tale of Appalachia and two quirky young girls growing up in a life that forces them to fight for everything they have. The oldest girl haunted by the past and trying hard to understand who she is in truth, must deal with the constant harassment at school and the hard work at home. The youngest girl survives mostly by using her imagination to create things in role playing. In a way she is a bit typical of every kid who makes up stories and plays them out daily. That hard life is fractured by the murder of two female hikers. The story is about the unknown killer out there but it is more about two young
…more girls growing up unsure of who they will be when they are grown. They do not get along most of the time but the search for this killer and their belief in the power of their mountain will bring them together in the end. This is a rather unusual story and readers 15 and up will enjoy it because it is truly different. It also reveals what it is like for many to live in Appalachia. (less)Sheila is busy working that summer to earn money for the family and her future escape. Her "neck rope" alludes to her inner turmoil and the active fantasy life that will overtake her.
Angie lives in her head and the guidance she senses from the index cards she draws. She's in constant motion, ignoring others around her, and fantasizes taking on the demons.
They co-exist in the real world but don't really like or trust each other until they become embroiled in the mystery of the trail hikers murder and they need each other for survival.
Kay D. (Strongsville, OH)
The Otherworldly World of Smothermoss
This was one of the oddest, well written, lyrical, mystical, and mysterious books I have read in a long time. I found myself constantly questioning is this real or is this one big dream. Whichever, I was continually compelled to keep reading. Both Sheila and Angie were unique characters and added their own dimensions to the entire story. Supporting characters were developed enough to make them worthwhile. Lots of layers of things to think on long after I was finished reading. I loved the way bits and pieces were constantly inserted into the storyline, leading me to think I had it figured out, just to discover I
…more really didn't know exactly what was real. Highly recommend for those who like some mystery and mystical elements to their books. (less)Alisa Alering has the ability to paint pictures with words. When I read her description of the turtles sunning themselves on the rocks I had a beautiful vision of them.
Unfortunately the author falls short on character development. We learn the sisters have a brother named Sam who is prison. We do not receive additional information about him. Likewise 2 hikers , Gayle and Russell stop on the sisters'property asking for food. No additional information is given about them.
The sisters, Sheila and Angie approach life very differently.
Angie's thoughts and actions are based on magical realism. Sheila's worldview is
…more based on a practical approach and a strong work ethic. Throughout the book Sheila is struggling to keep the family together by taking care of their homestead as well as the animals they own.
Perhaps the author wants the reader to define "the stone" and "the rope" in their own terms. The rope and the stone are frequently mentioned in the book but not clearly defined.
Both sisters are discovering their sexuality as they approach womanhood. Near the end of the book the sisters have an honest discussion which brings them closer. Prior to that it seems that they were at war with each other.
I would have liked a tighter ending to the story as it left me dangling with many unanswered questions. (less)This book reads quickly, and is had to put it down, although the other-worldly aspect sometimes overrides the story line. The author's imagery and prose is breathtaking, even exquisite at times. The human characters are authentic, even with the unbelievable fantasy. Perhaps the fantasy is necessary the author for the author to achieve what was intended. Smothermoss, the mountain which is central to the story, seems almost to come alive, and in one way or in many ways, it influences Sheila, Angie, and their mother.
Symbolism and fantasy come together effectively, an example being the rope which constantly winds
…more around Sheila's neck, limiting her life physically and mentally. Also, she is a lesbian, which in the eighties was not widely accepted. This keeps her from finding her place in the world.
Sheila's younger sister Angie is an imaginative brat who is not afraid of the murderer who is on the loose. She sets out to capture the man, all on her own.
Lack of money, friends, and conveniences brings a hard life, where darkness, a believable haunted mountain, and ghost-like people are paramount.
The ending of the book did not satisfy me, although it was gripping and intense. I will follow this author and see what develops. (less)Beautifully written, Smothermoss will engage you from the opening chapter. It is, in part, the tender story of the relationship between two sisters, Sheila and Angie, in rural Pennsylvania. But it is also a story about Sheila's relationship with herself. The story contains elements of a thriller (a murderer is loose on the mountain) and a touch of magic. It is a perfect "book club" book. I did not expect to be captivated by this debut novel, but I was. I will be adding Alisa Alering to my list of authors to watch in the future.
Sue P. (Albuquerque, NM)
Smothermoss
I made three attempts to read this book, finally succeeding on my 3rd try. It seemed to have so much promise and potential but fell short of what I was expecting. I love books that have a touch of magic and evil and redemption, but this book just didn't deliver. It wasn't a bad book, but it could have been so much better, if focus was more on the sisters and less on trying to be descriptive and evocative. I do hope this author continues to write; I think she has some really good "stuff" to say.
Donna J. (Norwalk, CT)
Magical Mountain
I was not sure where the novel was going at first as it seemed to jump around but as I kept going, I found the writing lyrical and captivating. The development of the sisters and their relationship with each other and their environment (particularly the mountain) was moving. We do not always think about our relationship to nature and how where we live creates ties that bind us to each other and to the land. This novel captured that in a magical way. I found the mysticism in the story as a metaphor for things that can pull us down or lift us up. However, I am not sure if it will have broad appeal because it took
…more time to get interested in the characters and story and the magical aspects may not appeal to a broad audience. (less)
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