Bloodroot

This is an engaging Appalachia family drama

On Bloodroot Mountain in Eastern Tennessee, Byrdie Lamb raises her grandchild Myra, whose mother and father died when a train hit their vehicle while they were carousing. Byrdie loves Myra who is more a daughter to her than her daughter Myra's mom Clio ever was. She also knows Myra has the "touch" skill that runs in the family though Byrdie never displayed this ESP talent. In fact, Myra's boyfriend Doug not only realizes it, he knows he will never win her love because of it.

He is proven right when she meets John Odom, son of the hardware store owner. He is also "touched" and they passionately fall in love. However his violence pushes her from his valley home back up the mountain where she raises their twins Laura and Johnny. The siblings have issues as their mom is placed in an asylum. Laura marries and has a child, but when her spouse dies his family takes away her kid. Johnny burns down his paternal side's store. The next generation seems destined to repeat the same mistakes as the previous generations on Bloodroot Mountain.

This is an engaging Appalachia family drama that looks deep inside the souls of the cast with Myra being the link between five generations of mountain people. Although the subplots are straighter than the Bonneville Salt Flats and some key characters just vanish, readers will appreciate the depth of life on Bloodroot Mountain as even a finger with a ring on it becomes symbolic of dreams broken and breathing in Amy Greene's profound harsh slice of Appalachia.

Harriet Klausner

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Hung-up on Bloodroot!

I loved this book! It was dark and haunting, yet not heavy. It had everything. I didn't want to sleep when I was reading it and couldn't stop thinking about it when I wasn't, and I read it slowly, because I did not want it to end. Very satisfying.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Just as the title reads "bloodroot"

This book, I have shared with many friends and they loved it too. The title "Bloodroot" fits perfectly if you know what Bloodroot is. If you don't, the author fills you in. Bloodroot is a flower high in the mountains, the root; when punctured, pours out red sap like blood, and the flowers saproot may be used for healing, but abused will kill. This ties in the story. The main character Myra and her lifestory is told by several family members each giving you a different view of Myra, whom is like Bloodroot. The book is full of twist and turns, induwindows, and characters that make your heart pound in excelleration. The book is intense. I highly recommend this book, even if you are sceptic, try it and you will finish it gauranteed!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

GREAT READ

Loved the characters. Missed them at the end. Great book. Look forward to more from this author.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The second half of the book moved alot faster than the first hal

The second half of the book moved alot faster than the first half but I almost didn't make it to the second half as I found the perspective shifts and quantity of daily minutia tiresome. Glad I hung in there. Painful domestic violence.

a real page turner. twists & turns like Alfred Hitchcock wou

a real page turner. twists & turns like Alfred Hitchcock would've wrote a book. can't wait for more from this young author. entralling for me. Jayne Anne Ekis, Harcourt Iowa

Highly Recommended

This was a book that i could not put down. Quite possibly one of the best books I have ever read. I can't wait for more books by Amy Greene. I am a fan.

Beautiful

This is quite possibly the best book I have ever read. It is haunting and memorable on many levels. My family comes from Tennessee, so perhaps this book means that much more to me. In it, I heard the voices of my own speaking to me. But, I know this novel is far more special.
It is hard to believe this is a novel. The layers of this book are thick and tangible, with generations, people, lore and history. Ms. Greene is a very rare and gifted writer. I don't know how she can possibly exceed such writing...but I will be there to read it.

interesting but hard to follow in places

the books has interesting characters and ideas. I think the symbolism was overdone. I wsa also distracted by the change in narrators. I was disappointed Myra became a dead character. I wanted her to be my herorine.

One of the BEST books I've read!!!!

You will fall in love with each character. I couldn't wait to keep reading and find out what happened to each person. Then, near the end I dreaded reading the last page because I didn't want the story to end. I hope there is a sequel! This book reminded me of Gap Creek a little bit. I can't tell enough people to read this book! It was one of the best books I've ever read. I've looked for another book as good as this one for months and months and still haven't found one yet.

Boring Read

I know this book got a lot of attention, but I found it to be difficult to read because it was extremely boring. The plot moved slowly, the characters, although well developed, were boring, and I was generally not impressed. I like books to move at an even pace and have exciting, climatic events. This book moved at a snale pace and I found it very difficult to finish.
Good for someone who enjoys slow plots and back and forth story lines (the story is told from differnt points of view at different times).
Was not impressed with this book at all.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommended

I love this book. Didn't want it to end.

Bloodroot pulls to the core

In her debut novel, Amy Greene dazzles in this mystical novel about love, loss and the ties that bind us. Sweeping characters spanning generations all wrapped and embroiled in an Appalachian dream world where nature and the things we observe are just the surface glimpses. An excellent first book and one that should be highly recommended.

Iloved this story

this is one of the best. the Characters were very interesting. What a creative writer. I loved her style.
I would recommend this book to anyone.

I loved this book!

I originally bought this book because I am from the area the author is from and absolutely love that area of Appalachia. The book was a very nice surprise. I loved the character development and plot to the story. I was confused at first with the introduction of so many characters. It is worth the read so push on! It was very easy to get drawn into the story and I found myself unable to put the book down! I can't wait to see what Amy Greene writes next!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good Book!

I liked this one. It started off a little slow, but it will draw you into their lives and the problems that they face. Half way through the book, I became so involved in the lives of these characters that I couldn't wait to see what happened next! This was outside the norm for me (I read mostly paranormal..sci fi/fantasy) but I'm glad that I read it. It was a nice change of pace for me. I would recommend this one to anyone who is looking for something a little different.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book is beautifully written, but ultimately disappointing.

I enjoyed this book, and got very invested in the characters. However, I was frustrated that the author left the reader high and dry by switching the voices of the narrators. After you become involved in their lives, and care very much about what happens to them, the next section has a different character telling their story. I felt several times that I wanted to hear from the previous characters and read their take on what was happening. It was disconcerting to me to never hear their voices again for the rest of the book. Although you eventually learn what happens to all of them, I thought it was an odd way to write a book. It was beautifully written, though, to make me care so much about them.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Haunting

Offbeat characters

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Interesting

This was an interesting book.
I can't say I was crazy about it. Difficult subject matters.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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