| Reviews:
"Counters the misperception that there is no significant body of Appalachian
literature, particularly literature written by women, with the sheer volume of
work included."--Journal of Appalachian Studies
"Like a feast table piled high with samplers of everybody's best
recipes."--Appalachian Journal
"A giant step forward in Appalachian studies for both students and scholars
of the region and the general reader. . . . Nothing less than a groundbreaking
and landmark addition to the national treasury of American
literature."-Bloomsbury Review
"A marvelous confluence of compelling subject matter and almost perfectly
executed presentation. Those who care about the literature of our region need to
have this book at their fingertips because this is the authoritative guide to
its subject."--Appalachian Heritage
"A remarkable new anthology of 105 Appalachian women writers, many of whom have been forgotten or marginalized by the mainstream literary establishment. One of the keenest pleasures in Listen Here lies
in its diversity of voices and genres."--Material Culture
"If you haven't taken your beach vacation yet this summer, pack this book in
your suitcase. Its 673 pages will keep you entertained . . . and the stories you
read in it will nourish your mind and warm your heart throughout the coming fall
and winter and far, far beyond."-Appalachian Life Magazine
"The diversity of genres and styles spanning 170 years gives Listen Here a wide open feel, and its editors have
chosen refreshingly generous criteria for belonging. Piece after piece resonates
with details that are a joy to encounter."-Women's Review of Books
"A monumental work. . . . A must-have for scholars, writers, students, and
those who simply love good writing."Appalachian Heritage
"The editors wisely incorporate a mix of both famous and unfamiliar authors
to present an impressive and stirring display of (mostly) contemporary writings
by women whose 'identities have been marked by life' in Appalachia. A brief
biography introduces each contributor, making this a particularly helpful
reference work.-Publishers Weekly
“It is a thrill to witness the surge of Appalachian writing in recent years,
to see the new attention paid to Appalachian writing, music and culture. This is
a collection to brag about and treasure, and most of all to read and re-read, as
we learn, are challenged, enriched, delighted."-Robert Morgan, Duke
University and author of The Truest Pleasure, This Rock, and Gap Creek
"
A landmark collection of Appalachian literature.
It is exciting to have so much of this important literature in one grand
book."-Fred Chappell, former Poet Laureate of North Carolina, author of several
books including I Am One of You Forever and Look Back All the Green Valley
"The land outlives
us all, Elisha Clayburn says in Wilma Dykeman's story, one of the many
jewels in this much-needed collection of fiction and poetry written by
women from, in and of Appalachia. Weaving together well-known and
less-known writers allows the reader to understand the strong underlying themes-the land,
family, aging, survival-that unite all these works.-Sallie Bingham, author of
Straight Man and Small Victories
"This is the culmination
of long dedication and a big vision and has been much anticipated. We all owe
Sandy Ballard and Pat Hudson huge thanks for compiling such a compelling and
necessary addition to our collective literature."-Jerry W. Williamson, author of
Hillbillyland
"A virtual key to the treasury of writing on
Appalachia by the women whose knowledge of the region stands out most
prominently. Nowhere else can you find in one volume so much biographical and
bibliographical information on more than a hundred creators of fiction,
nonfiction, poetry, and drama from the Southern mountains. This is a long-needed
resource that will be indispensable from the day of its publication. I hope and
expect it will become a primary reference that steers readers not only to the
most famous women writers of Appalachia, but the lesser-known ones as
well."-John Egerton, author of Generations
"It is common
knowledge that women have been instrumental in shaping genres and creating
traditions in Appalachian writing for well over a century and a quarter, but
when their contribution is viewed comprehensively, a collective genius, which is
not to deny any individual genius, shines through, creating not merely surprise but a
shock of recognition...of the range and quality of their writing. The store of jewels
in our own house, we come to realize in reading it, is greater than many of us
ever realized. . . . Here is the perfect illustration of the
flowering of Appalachian writing where the blooming itself has not been late,
but only the critical recognition of it."-Robert J. Higgs, author of God in the Stadium
"....A number of wonderful gems [are] sprinkled throughout the 600 plus pages."-Red Raven Circling (redravencircling.wordpress.com)
"Listen to the women who have been writing and recording their lives for over
a hundred years; listen to the women who have carved a life and art out of the
rough beauty of the Appalachian territory; listen to this sustained, authentic
chorus-105 women strong-singing a song that is at once very old and strikingly
new to our national identity.
-Raintaxi Review
"Besides introducing readers to
many new voices, the anthology provides a strong counterpart to the stereotype
of hillbillies that have cursed the region."-Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Full of welcome surprises to those new to this regional literature:
specifically, it includes particularly strong selections from children's fiction
and a substantial number of African American writers."-Choice
"A textbook companion for anyone interested in women's literature-or anyone
interested in a more complete view of American literature than that found in
most textbooks."-Knoxville (TN) News-Sentinel
"A successful
anthology entices readers to move from its pages to find additional works by the
writers included. Listen Here , therefore, is going to keep our libraries and bookstores busy for
years to come."-A! Magazine
"A remarkable accomplishment, bringing together the work of 105 female
Appalachian writers saying what they want to, and saying it in impressive bodies
of literature."-Lexington Herald-Leader
"What rings true through it all is the truth of women's experiences, not only
in Appalachia, but universally."-Chevy Chaser
"Collects work by 105 Appalachian writers, including Gail Godwin, Lee Smith,
and Barbara Kingsolver, composed during the past 170 years."-Raleigh (NC) News
& Observer
"An important contribution to Appalachian literary life."-Mountain Eagle
"A comprehensive and unsurpassed anthology of women writers from Appalachia.
. . . Exceptional in diversity and scope."-Southern Historian
"Collectively, the 105 writers featured in Listen Here prove themselves, and
their region, worthy of the wide recognition that has historically eluded
them."--Floyd County Times
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