The Saints of Swallow Hill: A Fascinating Depression Era Historical Novel

Venturing into Southern fiction, I discovered "The Saints of Swallow Hill." It's a novel that is based during the Great Depression era in Georgia and the Carolinas - a region I was not familiar with before. I wasn't even sure where the name "tar heel" came from before reading this book. The Saints of Swallow Hill is a bit of a slow burn. It's rich in details about the Great Depression and the turpentine industry. The book reveals the harsh realities of the era while also being a story of survival, healing, and coming to terms with one's past. The true brilliance of Donna Everhart's writing lies in the atmospheric setting and immersive world she builds. Yet, the pacing occasionally hindered my engagement. There were sometimes lengthy stretches where the story slowly progressed. Many pages are spent where not much is going on. The predictability of the ending also left me wanting more. 3.5/5. Rounded to 4/5.