Bloodroot

By: Amy Greene

Narrated by: Various

Named for a flower whose blood-red sap possesses the power both to heal and poison, Bloodroot is a stunning fiction debut about the legacies—of magic and madness, faith and secrets, passion and loss—that haunt one family across the generations, from the Great Depression to today.

The novel is told in a kaleidoscope of seamlessly woven voices and centers around an incendiary romance that consumes everyone in its path: Myra Lamb, a wild young girl with mysterious, haint blue eyes who grows up on remote Bloodroot Mountain; her grandmother Byrdie Lamb, who protects Myra fiercely and passes down “the touch” that bewitches people and animals alike; the neighbor boy who longs for Myra yet is destined never to have her; the twin children Myra is forced to abandon but who never forget their mother’s deep love; and John Odom, the man who tries to tame Myra and meets with shocking, violent disaster. Against the backdrop of a beautiful but often unforgiving country, these lives come together—only to be torn apart—as a dark, riveting mystery unfolds.

With grace and unflinching verisimilitude, Amy Greene brings her native Appalachia—and the faith and fury of its people—to rich and vivid life. Here is a spellbinding tour de force that announces a dazzlingly fresh, natural-born storyteller in our midst.©2009 Amy Greene ; (P)2009 Random House

Excellent read

This is a great first novel. The characters are very strong, the story is truly compelling and the warmth for the culture is obvious. I found myself missing the characters when I wasn't reading. It is, of course, a treat to have multiple readers and they all do a great job. There are some flaws that could have been edited out which is often typical of a first novel, but they just don't matter given the weight of the story and the breadth of the characters. One of my all time favorites.

Amazing story

This book was haunting. The depth of characters was rich.It was wonderfully read my numerous voices. I have been an audible customer for years and this was one of the best.

Excellent story, wonderfully narrated!

Loved the story...a little dark but beautiful imagery. Various characters were represented by different voices that pulled you right into the setting. I was disappointed when the story ended because I wanted to keep listening. Highly recommend!!!

Bloodroot is spot-on with East Tennessee tone

I loved this book! Having grown up, lived and raised a family in rural East Tennessee I know these characters, these mountains and the love of home and family. I could see the sights and smell the smells and even taste the meals Birdie put on the table. The poverty and violence of many of the characters was sadly familiar too. This book is an excellent read for anyone with mountain roots and everyone who longs to feel and understand the lore, the love and the history of Appalachia.

Appalachian storytelling at its best

This enchanting novel weaves the elements of Appalachian themes with a compelling story! The honesty and stark realism of this novel will stay with you long after you read the last page.