First published 2013
The family from Gap Creek confronts a world transformed by war and economic collapse. As World War II reshapes America and the Great Depression strips away certainties, they must navigate between the familiar rhythms of mountain life and forces beyond their control. The Appalachian landscape that once provided stability now serves as backdrop to unprecedented upheaval. Each family member responds differently to the pressures of a changing nation. Some cling to traditional ways while others embrace new possibilities. The mountains remain constant, but everything else shifts beneath their feet. Morgan captures how ordinary people adapt when history accelerates around them. The family's daily struggles reflect the broader American experience of survival and transformation during two of the nation's most challenging decades.
Genres: literary-fiction, american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-saga, survival
Setting: Appalachia, United States
Period: 1930s, 1940s
318 pages · Hardcover · Algonquin Books