River of Earth

by James Still

Book Overview

" First published in 1940, James Still's masterful novel has become a classic. It is the story, seen through the eyes of a boy, of three years in the life of his family and their kin. He sees his parents pulled between the meager farm with its sense of independence and the mining camp with its uncertain promise of material prosperity. In his world privation, violence, and death are part of everyday life, accepted and endured. Yet it is a world of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813113725
• ISBN13: 9780813113722
• Release Date: December 1978
• Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Engaging story - beautifully written in authentic language

It's been a few years since I read this book, so I can't be as detailed as I would like. The book was first published to critical acclaim the same year as Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. If I remember Cadle's introduction correctly, Still's book actually got better reviews than Steinbeck's. The narrator is the family's 9-year old son. (As an aside, the narrator's name is mentioned only once, so be sure to note it. As I got further into the book, I forgot his name & could not find it.) The story is set in Appalachia in the 1920's or 30's. The father, Brack, works in the coal mines; each time a mine closes, the family move to another one (provided there is work available). Although the father is a hard worker who loves his family, he's an extremely soft touch; even though the family is on the verge of starvation, he still helps anyone who asks. His optimism and his sense of duty to others make him and his family vulnerable; he allows three male relatives to move in with the family. All 3 are moochers who make no attempt to contribute to the family; they are seemingly unaware of or indifferent to the fact that they are straining the family's resources to the breaking point. Fortunately, the mother is resourceful; when the father will not stand up to his relatives, she takes matters into her own hands. To avoid spoiling the story, I'll just say that the way she handles the situation is unusual, but effective. I'll leave you to judge whether her solution was morally appropriate. The story is quite sad in places, but there's a good deal of humor in the book. The core family come across as good people who are coping reasonably well with the challenges they face. The writing is top-notch and the language is beautiful and authentic. I don't remember there being a single false note in the book. (The portrait of Uncle Samp is perhaps a bit underdeveloped, but he is a peripheral character.) Some of the characters are eccentric, but no character is eccentric through and through. The major characters ring true; they are real people who react in understandable ways to the circumstances of their lives. If I remember correctly, Cadle comments in his introduction that Still's voice is remarkably unobtrusive. (I'm probably understating what Cadle actually says). Perhaps I should have refrained from coloring the events with my own moral perspective. Be that as it may, Still let the story speak for itself and left readers to draw their own conclusions. This allows the story and the quality of the writing to pull the reader in. To get a taste of the story and the writing, check out the excerpt and the "surprise me" option. The latter took me immediately to an excerpt, but the actual excerpt option didn't work at first. After a few tries, I was able to get the excerpt to appear.

The heart and soul of Appalachia

James Still has exquisitely and intricately chronicled what it is like to be born, live, and die in the hills of eastern Kentucky. Natives of the region will read the book and feel attached to the book if by nothing else but the geography. Others will be drawn into the book by the sincerity and realism of the characters. Still, the poet laureate of Kentucky, beautifully relates the attachment of eastern Kentuckians to the mountain soil in spite of the poverty and hard living that they must endure. More than that, however, it is a story of inspiration and coming of age. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Simply wonderful...

In my opinion, River of Earth deserves to be celebrated among the best works of 20th century fiction. James Still not only evokes the setting in depression era Kentucky, but he also captures the spirit of the people and the point of view of his young narrator. This is not a sentimental rendering of an idealized past but rather a pure slice of life cut down to the bone with a real sharp knife. The story is full of humor and hard times, and the language is akin to poetry. "Where ARE we bound on this river of earth?"

Well writen: It made me get in touch with my mountain roots.

Both my grandfathers mined coal in eastern KY. My parents and I were born there too. I have always had a longing to know more about life during my grandfathers' lifetimes. Now thanks to James Still and his Book,"River of Earth" that longing has been filled. Thank you Mr. Still.

River of Earth realistically chronicles Appalachian poverty.

A book that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. I read this as a college student and have recently re-read it to 7th graders who found the mother especially fascinating. River of Earth chronicles the poverty of early 20th century Appalachian coal miners and their struggle to care for their families, make ends meet, and maintain their humanity in an industry that provides only obstacles. It is a universal theme in a very unique setting. A very good read!