Home to Big Stone Gap: A Novel

I loved my trip back to Big Stone Gap! I read HOME TO BIG STONE GAP in a couple of days finding it hard to put down and anticipating what was to come next. It was very well written both for content and execution but I wanted more and so I bought the CD. Adriana Trigiani is a natural! She doesn't simply read the story but "acts it out" via each character. I found myself laughing with tears in my eyes. I wish everyone could both read the book and listen to the CD for total enjoyment.

Most of us last spent time with the MacChesneys four years ago, when "Milk Glass Moon' was released. "Home to Big Stone Gap" gives us a chance to catch up with our old friends in southwestern Virginia. Now that her daughter Etta is married and living in Italy, Ave Maria experiences all manner of mid-life empty-nest worries: about health, about mortality, about marriage, about family, about friends. At the same time that she thinks she's lost her daughter, a dear friend discovers hers. And who knew that Jack Mac dreamed of visiting Scotland? This is another satisfying read from Ms. Trigiani, one that's sure to provoke readers into reconsidering some of their own views of Life. Though it can be read as a stand-alone title, those new to the series may want to go back and read the first three: "Big Stone Gap," "Big Cherry Holler," and "Milk Glass Moon." Then they will know "the rest of the story."

Some series weaken with each continuing novel, but not this one! Trigiani takes the familiar characters and back stories of the first three books, and uses them to create all-new episodes in the lives of Ave Maria, Jack Mac, Iva Lou, Fleeta and the other Big Stone Gap citizens. This novel picks up with Ave Maria's return home, following Etta's wedding in Italy. She's barely had time to adjust to having her daughter gone, when signs of serious illness begin to appear within Jack. Meanwhile, Ave Maria's agreed to take on the annual town play for the first time in years...and a mysterious stranger from Iva Lou's past threatens to break up Ave Maria and Iva Lou's decades-old friendship. Even if you haven't read the first three books, you'll want to give this one a try. It's hard to put down!

Fans of Big Stone Gap, Big Cherry Holler & Milk Glass Moon won't be disappointed in the 4th installment of the series. Home to Big Stone Gap is like going home again, to beloved friends and family members. Adriana Trigiani continues the story with her wonderful knack of storytelling that is charming, cozy and real. Once again, the last page will leave you wanting more.

This is Adriana's best novel to date. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed the Big Stone Gap series or for anyone who is looking for a wonderful story about good people, family relationships and the day to day challanges we all face. All of your favorites are back for new adventures and heartwarming tales with Ave and Jack. Reading this book is like having a nice visit with old friends! I look forward to more books in this series and other novels by Adriana. Her stories are always beautifully told and a joy to read.