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The Cove
The Cove: A Novel | Ron Rash
The New York Times bestselling author of Serena returns to Appalachia, this time at the height of World War I, with the story of a blazing but doomed love affair caught in the turmoil of a nation at war Deep in the rugged Appalachians of North Carolina lies the cove, a dark, forbidding place where spirits and fetches wander, and even the light fears to travel. Or so the townsfolk of Mars Hill believejust as they know that Laurel Shelton, the lonely young woman who lives within its shadows, is a witch. Alone except for her brother, Hank, newly returned from the trenches of France, she aches for her life to begin. Then it happensa stranger appears, carrying nothing but a beautiful silver flute and a note explaining that his name is Walter, he is mute, and is bound for New York. Laurel finds him in the woods, nearly stung to death by yellow jackets, and nurses him back to health. As the days pass, Walter slips easily into life in the cove and into Laurel's heart, bringing her the only real happiness she has ever known. But Walter harbors a secret that could destroy everythingand danger is closer than they know. Though the war in Europe is near its end, patriotic fervor flourishes thanks to the likes of Chauncey Feith, an ambitious young army recruiter who stokes fear and outrage throughout the county. In a time of uncertainty, when fear and ignorance reign, Laurel and Walter will discover that love may not be enough to protect them. This lyrical, heart-rending tale, as mesmerizing as its award-winning predecessor Serena, shows once again this masterful novelist at the height of his powers.
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plemmdog
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Pickpick

This was my third Rash novel and takes place in a remote community in western NC not far from where my father‘s ancestors settled. Hot Springs is on the Appalachian Trail but was also near the sight of an internment prison for Germans during WWI, a fact I never knew, growing up. I didn‘t enjoy this one quite as much as Serena, but still admired Rash‘s use of dialect and sense of place.

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myers85
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Mehso-so

Picked this up at the library as the blurb compared the writing style to Steinbeck. The prose was very similar, with wonderful descriptions of the countryside and the simple lives lived in the South. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters... until the ending. Ruined the book for me sadly. Will read more of Rash's work despite how its conclusion left me feeling.

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megnews
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Ran some errands. Now I‘m getting back to it, switching to another book for awhile. #24in48

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Myhusbandhatesreading
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Pickpick

This book was a little slow for me at first but the end really got me.

wellreadredhead He is a professor at my university and he‘s the sweetest guy! 7y
Myhusbandhatesreading @collegecatlady that‘s awesome!! Have you read any of his books? (edited) 7y
wellreadredhead Yes, I‘ve actually read all of them. I love his writing. One Foot in Eden is my favorite! 7y
Myhusbandhatesreading @collegecatlady I‘ll have to try that one next! 😊 7y
55 likes4 comments
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Myhusbandhatesreading
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Starting this one next...

MinDea Your name just made me laugh so much! 😆😆😆😆 7y
52 likes1 comment
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HighLadyoftheStacks
Pickpick

I enjoyed this much more than I initially thought, but I‘m always a sucker for the landscape being as much a character as the human beings. This felt like an especially apt read with regards to the state of the world, and the rampant xenophobia (and general hatred) that‘s so prevalent in the US.

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HighLadyoftheStacks

I always feel a deep well of frustration rise when a characters says “subversive materials should be removed from (insert institution here)” and then I get upset I can‘t argue with them #yellingatthebook #thecove

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HighLadyoftheStacks
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This whole section is a perfect parallel to the way we talk about Muslims in the US today. Chauncey wants to remove a professor who teaches German because he might be a spy. That level of paranoia and xenophobia is being espoused by the current administration and it‘s not okay. The only thing that comes from this kind of hatred is pain rather than safety. #thecove #ronrash

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TEArificbooks
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Mackypup
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Listening to Ron Rash's The Cove. Enjoying the writing style and story so far!

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wellreadredhead
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Pickpick

I wasn't sold on this novel until the ending. The ending became so emotional and brought everything in the novel together perfectly. Heart wrenching and definitely worth your time.

slhbooks @collegecatlady Oops. I always bump the send key. 😬My question is 'are the characters likable?' I read Serena and all the characters were awful. The book was very well written, but I need to have someone to care about. 8y
wellreadredhead @slhbooks yes! I felt there were actually quite a few of the characters that I grew attached to 8y
slhbooks @collegecatlady Thanks! Consider it 📚📚📚 8y
74 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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wellreadredhead
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I haven't had too much time lately to spend with a book so I'm glad I'm at least getting an hour or two tonight #workworkwork #sobusy

Megabooks 👍🏻👍🏻 8y
Suzze Another book in my pile I haven't read yet! And it's an advance copy. The book came out in 2012. 😬😬 8y
SharonGoforth Love Ron Rash! This is really good. 8y
79 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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wellreadredhead
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All I need is a good book and to forget about all my looming deadlines 🙃

74 likes1 stack add