The Songcatcher by Sharyn McCrumb
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Book Reviews of The Songcatcher
Book Review: An Original Story
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was given to me by my sister. The Appalachian mountains have always fascinated me. My husband was born in West Virginia. My son-in-law is from Tennessee. I loved this book - a truly original story spanning three centuries of family history. The editorial review is excellent.I consider this book a "keeper". It is so unique - the gifted author has written a satisfying tale. I had to read the entire book straight thru - it captivated me, informed me, and made me eager for more. It is easy to read, very spellbinding, and I recommend it to all who like reading fiction that seems to be too real to be fiction.
Books by James Michener, such as Centennial, give me this same feeling. Time spent reading both these authors is well spent.
Book Review: Interesting Structure and Substance
Summary: 5 Stars
Over the years I've probably read everything Sharyn McCrumb has written, including her short story collection FOGGY MT. BREAKDOWN.
In my estimation, THE SONGCATCHER eclipses all her other work and that's saying a lot. Not only is she a master wordsmith but the more than interesting structure of her novel is admirable, to say the least.
Not too many writers can combine such different time periods and do it as well as she does without resorting to the standard flashback, which I find annoying and awkward in many novels. McCrumb is able to go back and forth between the centuries without putting the reader off track.
All of McCrumb's novels are enjoyable but THE SONGCATCHER still tops my list.
Book Review: The Songcatcher
Summary: 5 Stars
In1751, ten-year-old Malcolm McCourry was kidnapped from his Scottish island to work on a sailing ship. Years later when he homesteated in the mountains of North Carolina he left his family two legacies; a folk song he learned on the ship and the family's Highland curse that no McCourry will ever love his first born best. The novel follows Malcolm's song and the curse from 1751 to the present and we watch the song, the family, and America itself change with the passing years. This novel is itself a ballad to all those who left one country and settled another, carrying their heritage in their hearts.Book Review: McCrumb at her best
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a wonderful book, true to the spirit of Appalachia and full of interesting characters.It follows the history of a song through two centuries and interweaves the life of Malcolm McCorry, kidnapped from Islay in 1751 and a contemporary story of one of his descendants. It is a hard book to characterise, certainly it isn't a conventional mystery, even that is a plus. This book is magic.Book Review: Anxiously awaiting the next book in the series
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is amazing. All of the ballad novels are wonderful. The murder, mystery, suspense- all of the books were the type you can't put down. This one is no different. Way to go Ms. McCrumb! I look forward to all that you write. The characters and stories are top notch.