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| Source: www.jenniferhaigh.com |
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| Jennifer Haigh Source: www.jenniferhaigh.com |
This book was suggested to me by my sister, Beth. She really liked it, and thought I would too. She was right.
As the wife of an underground coal miner, I really related to the characters in this book. I know all too well the days of washing coal filled overalls, cleaning coal blackened bathtubs, and packing a HUGE lunch for your husband "just in case". I know the prayers said every day and night for his safety.
The characters in Baker Towers are believable because they are flawed, like we all are. The author hasn't tried to make them perfect just so we'll like them. She allows us to peak in at the less than perfect life of an ordinary family living in a coal mining town from the 40' to the 60's. She does this by adding the not so pretty details of day to day life.
I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially those who like historical fiction.
Here's a few pictures of real mining towns of the past.
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| Martin, Kentucky in Floyd County abt.1940 Source: www.coaleducation.org |
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| Weeksbury, Kentucky in Floyd County in 1930 Source: www.coaleducation.org |
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| Wheelwright, Kentucky in Floyd County in 1946 Source: www.coaleducation.org |
I found a cool YouTube video with pictures of miners, and I also found a great Johnny Cash song about coal mining. Enjoy!!
I will always end any post about coal mining with a picture of my own coal miner.
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| My Coal Miner Source: My Photo |
Thanks for the book suggestion! I love that Johnny Cash song, although I was only familiar with Kathy Mattea's version. Since watching "Harlan County, USA" last year (yes, I know, very late to the party) I've been more and more interested in the culture surrounding coal mining.
ReplyDeleteMJ--Your're Welcome! I hope you like it. Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteI will put this on my wish list. I haven't read any books where coal mining plays a role so this will be something different. Thanks for the review and recommendation! I love that you ended your post with a picture of your coal mining husband!
ReplyDeleteBeth(bookaholicmom)--I hope you like it! My husband's been a coal miner for 16 years. I couldn't do a coal mine post without a pic of him.
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