Must-Have Books and Authors for Your Journey
When packing for your trip, prioritize slim books that carry the power to bridge our past and present through the beauty of spoken language. Maurice Manning’s “Bucolics” engages in profound modern debates with a divine entity he endearingly refers to as “Boss,” reminiscent of James Wright’s haunting portrayal of high school football players in “The Branch Will Not Break.” For a sublimely Appalachian experience, a masterpiece like Jim Wayne Miller’s “The Brier Poems” is a must-read.
In 2000, Frank X Walker’s “Affrilachia” boldly gave a name to the Black Appalachian experience, which has since been enriched by the poetic contributions of Nikki Giovanni, bell hooks, Crystal Wilkinson, and many others. Notably, my collection of Appalachian poetry leans slightly in favor of women writers, including the exceptional George Ella Lyon, whose poignant works have earned a place on my funeral reading list. Wendell Berry, although his northern Kentucky farm falls just outside the borders of Appalachia, beautifully channels our agrarian spirit and character in novels like “Hannah Coulter” and “Jayber Crow.” And while we’re on the topic of poetry, don’t miss out on Berry’s “This Day: Collected and New Sabbath Poems.”
Nevertheless, be sure to make space for fiction in your luggage. Silas House’s masterful trilogy consisting of “Clay’s Quilt,” “A Parchment of Leaves,” and “The Coal Tattoo” offers an unparalleled distillation of the essence of Appalachia. House, a prolific writer, also excels as a poet, playwright, and Kentucky’s first openly gay poet laureate.
Personally, my own literary journey began with the memorable mountain women depicted by Lee Smith in “Fair and Tender Ladies” and the heart-wrenching stories left behind by the late Breece D’J Pancake. I, like many artists in this region, have been shaped by the polemics that arise when big capital clashes with the labor of everyday people. Denise Giardina’s “Storming Heaven” and Ann Pancake’s “Strange as This Weather Has Been” vividly portray a century of struggles in West Virginia’s coal camps. Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, a Cherokee writer, offers a fresh perspective on the historical collision of Indigenous communities and wealth in North Carolina through her novel “Even as We Breathe.” Lastly, there’s Rahul Mehta’s captivating collection of short stories titled “Quarantine,” which beautifully explores the complexities of growing up queer and South Asian in West Virginia. All these books share a common thread—a deep attachment to family, place, and a sense of duty that is uniquely Appalachian.
Literary Pilgrimage Destinations Worth Visiting
For a truly enriching experience, I recommend making a literary pilgrimage to Hindman Settlement School in Hindman, Kentucky. Established in 1902 as an educational experiment, this hidden gem nestled in a hollow accessible only by mule continues to foster creativity through readings, concerts, and support for local arts traditions. Another worthwhile destination is Appalshop’s media arts center in Whitesburg, which houses invaluable archives and creates theater, music, and spoken-word recordings that give voice to the often untold stories of the region. Both Hindman Settlement School and Appalshop have shown incredible resilience in the face of last summer’s floods, and their recovery efforts have been met with immense community support.
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