A Parchment of Leaves

Backwoods Kentucky in 1917 is the setting of this rich Fellowship of Southern Writers Award winner. Irish-American Saul Sullivan falls in love with Vine, a quiet Cherokee woman, and they set about creating a life while dealing with prejudice from both communities, as well as the jealousy of Saul's brother. Kate Forbes narrates this story with a soft Kentucky twang that captures the dialect and pacing of Southern storytellers. From Vine's point of view, listeners learn of hardscrabble life in the hills among the Cherokee and whites during WWI. Forbes brings Appalachia to life with vivid descriptions of the countryside, farming practices, and characters. M.B.K. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

August 5, 2002
House offers a poignant, evocative look at the turmoil that plagues a rural Kentucky family during WWI in his solid second novel, which begins when Saul Sullivan takes a shine to a mysterious, beautiful Cherokee woman named Vine. Courtship quickly leads to marriage and a newborn girl named Birdie, but trouble surfaces when Saul's younger brother, Aaron, an unfocused dreamer who longs for a more fulfilling life than his country existence as a laborer, also becomes attracted to Vine. Aaron's opportunity to express his longings comes when Saul leaves to work at a logging camp, hoping to provide some luxuries for his family while supporting the war effort. Vine spurns Aaron's initial advances and manages to drive him away, but the younger brother returns with a young mixed-race bride from East Tennessee who looks exactly like Vine, and soon he is drinking heavily and exercising his formidable temper on his newly pregnant wife. Saul returns briefly to try to straighten out his brother but, when he departs, Aaron turns his attentions on Vine again, who shoots Aaron after he rapes her and goes after Birdie, then buries the body on top of a mountain near the family homestead. A slightly more original story line would have made this an exceptional novel, but House's lovely storytelling, graceful prose, strong characters and his feel for Southern rural life distinguish it. Agent, ICM. (Oct. 18)Forecast:Solid local sales are the bedrock on which this novel's success will rest, but strong reviews, a 15-city author tour and House's NPR connection (he is a frequent contributor) are certain to broaden House's audience.