This Rock

Anything Robert Morgan writes is eloquent and well thought out with every dot and tittle in place. If you don't know much about appalachian life, you can learn about it as long as you pay close attention as you read Morgan's beautiful work.

I knowed this be a gud book (English teachers cringing, the bad American English and spelling is intentional). Robert Morgan, author of the bestseller "Gap Creek," transports us to a 1920s Appalachian Mountain town in "This Rock." The story takes place over a three-year period and focuses on the polar-opposite Powell brothers, Muir and Moody. Muir is ambitious and quiet. Moody is an appropriately named, unstable character that runs moonshine and gambles. Morgan uses the perspective of Muir and Ginny Powell, the brothers' widowed mother, to narrate the brothers' conflicts. Remarkable details are laid out for the reader to behold and enjoy like gems. Morgan paints the beautiful landscape of the mountains, a feast for the mind's eye. The drama echoes stronger due to Morgan's inclusion of mountain dialect. It's as if the author time-traveled to the locale and used the Edison gramophone to record the hillbilly speech. The story builds nicely as Muir's decision to build a church atop the mountain has ripple effects throughout the community, most notably his brother Moody. "This Rock" is a page-turner illustrating the common and difficult aspects of 1920s Appalachia life. In fact, I bet after you've reached the last page, the cool morning dew will be lingering on your hands. Bohdan Kot

I was on vacation in South and North Carolina and stopped to get a book on audiotape to listen to in the car. Someone at the store recommended this book and it was just wonderful. If you like stories that carry you into another time and another place you will love this book. It is mostly about the struggle between "Baptist Discipline" and the loving grace of God, a struggle I have been fighting all of my life. I highly recommend it.

I heard Robert Morgan read from "This Rock" at a book festival and it only enhanced the story in my mind. The voice of the characters came vividly to life. The story's background, complete with historical tidbits and Morgan's family folklore mixed in, make "This Rock" a tale of pathos and wisdom.Is "This Rock" a sequel to "Gap Creek"? Yes and no. "Gap Creek" is one of those books that stuck with me. I cared about the characters of Hank and Julie and their plight. Yes, "This Rock" does interweave bits and pieces of Hank and Julie's lives with the story of new characters. What a pleasant surprise to run across these treasured fictional friends, to see where life has taken them. But, no, this book does not serve strictly as a sequel. For the most part, it's not as dramatically depressing either--though it does have a few painful moments."This Rock" stands solidly alone, an ode to the people who have built this great country--and some of those who have corrupted it, whether bootleggers or religious bigots. Using the dual viewpoints of young Muir and his mother Ginny, the story recounts the troubles of a family in the first half of the twentieth century. Ginny is a widow, raising three kids. Her view sheds light on the emotional struggle of a mother hoping for the best for her children. Muir's view is self-centered and driven, although it begins to taper as life humbles him.Young Muir's dream is to be a preacher. His brother Moody has no real aspirations, save to sneak out and bootleg with the local ruffians. Both brothers make choices that will have negative consequences, but, in the author's soulful and honest manner, the book manages to bring the light of redemption through the darkness. "This Rock" moves slowly on the surface, while underneath the struggles of the human heart churn and race. I found myself pulled downstream, caught up in the story, hoping that Muir would achieve his dream and that Moody would find rest for his soul.Robert Morgan caps off his story with events that are both predictable and surprising. As in "Gap Creek," he offers hope at the end of the day--a hope that is formed from the fires of hard work and deep pain. While other writers tend to throw out shallow promises, Morgan's writing and his characters deliver something richer and much more rewarding."This Rock" is worth holding onto.

I should confess right off that Robert Morgan is one of my favorite writers, with an authentic voice and the honesty to write unflinchingly about people living hard lives, struggling to survive. After reading Gap Creek, the story of a young southern woman struggling in a difficult marriage,I knew I'd buy anything else Morgan wrote. I'm happy to say this story of two brothers locked in a sibling rivalry, while far different from the plot of Gap Creek, doesn't disappoint. Muir and Moody Powell have been at odds nearly since birth. One is ambitious and hard-working and the other is drawn to trouble, gambling and drinking. Don't let my simple sketch of the bare outline of this book keep you from reading it. I assure you that Morgan's honest, unflinching writing and ability to make the lives of these southern men come alive will pull you into this book. A powerful book from a writer at the top of his form!