Title
The Road (Appalachian Echoes Fiction),New
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In The Road John Ehle's skill as a storyteller brings an early episode of road building in the North Carolina mountains to rich and vivid life. Hardship and humor, suffering and dreams are the balance for survival in a landscape that makes harsh demands on its intruders. Ehle lets us experience this place, people, and past in a fully realized novel.'Wilma Dykeman'The Road is a strong novel by one of our most distinguished authors. Muscular, vivid, and pungent, it is broad in historical scope and profound in its human sympathies. We welcome its return with warm pleasure.'Fred ChappellOriginally published in 1967, The Road is epic historical fiction at its best. At the novel's center is Weatherby Wright, a railroad builder who launches an ambitious plan to link the highlands of western North Carolina with the East. As a native of the region, Wright knows what his railway will mean to the impoverished settlers. But to accomplish his grand undertaking he must conquer Sow Mountain, 'a massive monolith of earth, rock, vegetation and water, an elaborate series of ridges which built on one another to the top.'Wright's struggle to construct the railroadwhich requires tall trestles crossing deep ravines and seven tunnels blasted through shale and graniteproves to be much more than an engineering challenge. There is opposition from a child evangelist, who preaches that the railroad is the work of the devil, and there is a serious lack of funds, which forces Wright to use convict labor. How Wright confronts these challenges and how the mountain people respond to the changes the railroad brings to their lives make for powerfully compelling reading.The Author: A native of Asheville, North Carolina, John Ehle has written seventeen novels and works of nonfiction. His books include The Land Breakers, The Journey of August King, The Winter People, and Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation. Among the honors he has received are the Lillian Smith Prize and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Award.
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This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Road' by John Ehle? A: 'The Road' explores the challenges of road building in the North Carolina mountains, highlighting themes of hardship, survival, and the impact of progress on the local community.
- Q: Who is the protagonist of the novel? A: The protagonist is Weatherby Wright, a railroad builder who seeks to connect the highlands of western North Carolina with the East.
- Q: When was 'The Road' originally published? A: 'The Road' was originally published in 1967 and has been reissued in 1998.
- Q: What can readers expect from the writing style of John Ehle? A: John Ehle's writing is known for its vivid storytelling, rich descriptions, and compelling character development, effectively bringing historical events to life.
- Q: Is 'The Road' suitable for readers interested in historical fiction? A: Yes, 'The Road' is considered a strong example of epic historical fiction, providing insights into the socio-economic conditions of the time.
- Q: How many pages does 'The Road' have? A: 'The Road' has a total of 416 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this edition of 'The Road' have? A: This edition of 'The Road' is available in paperback binding.
- Q: What are some key challenges faced by the protagonist in the novel? A: Weatherby Wright faces opposition from a child evangelist, financial difficulties, and the physical challenges of constructing the railroad through rugged terrain.
- Q: What notable awards has John Ehle received? A: John Ehle has received the Lillian Smith Prize and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Award among others for his contributions to literature.
- Q: Is 'The Road' suitable for young adults? A: 'The Road' contains themes of hardship and complexity that may resonate with mature young adult readers, but parental discretion is advised.