The Cove

A Novel

By: Ron Rash

Narrated by: Merritt Hicks

“Set during World War One, The Cove is a novel that speaks intimately to today’s politics. Beautifully written, tough, raw, uncompromising, entirely new. Ron Rash is a writer’s writer who writes for others.”
—Colum McCann

“Ron Rash is a writer of both the darkly beautiful and the sadly true; The Cove solidifies his reputation as one of our very finest novelists.”
—Richard Russo, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Empire Falls

Here is a magnificent tale that captures the wondrous beauty of nature and love—and the darkness of superstition and fear—from one of America’s most exciting contemporary novelists. With The Cove, Ron Rash, author of the acclaimed New York Times bestseller Serena, returns to the Appalachian milieu he has previously so memorably evoked. A two-time O. Henry Prize winner for his short fiction—and recipient of the 2010 Frank O’Connor International Story Award and the 2010 SIBA Book Award for his story collection Burning Bright—Rash can expect more honors for The Cove, a novel that brilliantly explores often dangerous notions of patriotism during wartime. This story of a love affair doomed in the rising turmoil of WWI resonates powerfully in today’s world.

Intriguing story distorted by bad narration

Would you try another book from Ron Rash and/or Merritt Hicks?

Ron Rash-yes. Merritt Hicks-NO

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Merritt Hicks?

Merritt Hicks' interpretation of western North Carolina dialect was an auditory caricature which signified that she was altogether unfamiliar with the mellifluous, indigenous speech of that area. Her attempt with a German accent was even worse suggesting that she did not receive any coaching in the pronunciation of a foreign alphabet. If The Cove is recorded again, Cynthia Darlow would do an excellent job.

Was The Cove worth the listening time?

Until The Cove is recorded with a different narrator, I would not recommend it.

Narrator accent

Why do readers/actors insist on making every Southern accent a bad version of Nicolas Cage (on tap as worse accent ever) in ConAir? There are subtleties in regions, not only in the entire Southern area of US, but also differences in NC Appalachian, Piedmont, Coastal, etc.

Ron Rash’s writing deserves better research and production for this audiobook. His prose, characters, and story calls forth special memories of my Scots grandmother with her Appalachian dialect calling for us chaps to get on in the house. This narration distracts from the atmosphere his writing creates.

he's done it again

loved the story, his work is so beautiful. I didn't like the narrator. she does not have a grasp of the southern dialect and it was very distracting.

Love this Author

Although not my favorite Ron Rash writing, still a good read. The narrator seemed a little robotic at first, but I loved how her accent flowed with the story. I wish there was more emphasis on the plot, but altogether a good story to listen to while I work.

Love Ron Rash!

Ron Rash tells a sad, beautiful story about World War II era Appalachia. This was a great listen.