Pre Book Club The Coal Tattoo by Silas House Buy book: $15.39
House's masterful third novel tells the story of how two sisters--who can't live together yet can't bear to be apart--learn to live through their painful pasts and need each other once again.
So far,so good. I haven't read or heard about any books about coal mining towns, so it immediately has the novelty factor. I liked seeing the difference between the sisters & it should make for some interesting drama later.
The difference between Anneth & Easter grows. Easter takes on the role of the responsible parent, putting her dreams on hold. Anneth takes the child's role-the need to rebel, to break free of the parent's restrictions.
The sisters are very different, however, the idea of family keeps them together.
I have in-laws that work and worked in the mines around Hazard, Kentucky, and the way that the mines affect everything holds true in the real world. The characters in this book are very real to me. They actually sound like some of the people I know down there. Many DO turn to drinking and hanging out in the bars at a young age. What else IS there to do down there sometimes? I can't just leave these characters hanging as unfinished business. I need to read the rest of this book and see where their lives lead them. I feel that if I don't, they may get stuck in the sad, hard situations they are in right now. I'm definitely fished in!
The setting has been established, the characters are developing. Am curious about Easter, does she really see dead people? What about the deaths in her family? Will continue to read.
Wow! Today's installment was incredibly moving. The grief was captured wonderfully. It was descriptive & powerful. I liked the background on the sisters-it explains Anneth's wild side & Easter's protective nature. I loved reading about Serena & Vine. I like how it shows that Easter & Anneth's closeness recalls that of Serena & Vine.
