Plot Summary

River of Earth

James Still
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River of Earth

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1940

Book Brief

James Still

River of Earth

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1940
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kentucky • 1930s

Theme
Publication Year

1940

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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Super Short Summary

River of Earth by James Still follows a seven-year-old boy growing up in Kentucky during the Great Depression. The family faces a dilemma between being independent, struggling farmers or finding work in the mines. The father, Brack, is generous to a fault, which causes tension with his wife, Alpha, who desires stability. The young boy observes the hardships and societal pressures while dreaming of a different future.

Melancholic

Gritty

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.2

1,397 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

James Still's River of Earth is lauded for its lyrical prose and authentic depiction of Appalachian life during the Great Depression. Critics appreciate Still's nuanced portrayal of rural struggles and strong character development. However, some find its slow pace and somber tone less engaging. Overall, it's a poignant, well-crafted exploration of hardship and resilience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read River of Earth?

Readers who appreciate the richly detailed lives of Appalachian families during the Great Depression will find River of Earth by James Still compelling. It appeals to fans of literature like The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and The Dollmaker by Harriette Arnow, where human resilience and stark realism in rural settings are poignantly explored.

4.2

1,397 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kentucky • 1930s

Theme
Publication Year

1940

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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