Rating: 
Summary: I Grew Up With the Author
Review: I think Adriana Trigiani's novel Big Stone Gap is a very good and interesting story. When I started reading it, I got so engrossed I didn't want to put the book down! I have an inside track on this novel, because I grew up in Big Stone Gap, Virginia with the author. Adriana Trigiani and I went to both elementary and high school together. Everyone called her "Adri." Adri always was a creative girl and the class clown, and I recall that she wrote a lot back in school, especially poetry. It comes as no surprise to me that Adri became a writer, but it is still so hard for me to grasp the fact that a girl who used to sit across the aisle from me in class has had writings published and has done writing for TV shows! Adri, if by any chance you happen to read this, I'm thrilled that you made it so big, and I am tickled to see you publish a book that puts our hometown on the map!Having grown up in Big Stone Gap and lived there for many years, I find a lot of fact-based things, places, and people, and many inspirations for this fictional novel. A lot of the characters really do or did exist, although most of their names are at least partly changed. There really is a Mutual Pharmacy in Big Stone Gap that has been in operation for many, many years. It really happened that Elizabeth Taylor choked on a chicken bone in Big Stone Gap in 1978 while on the campaign trail with her then-husband, Senatorial candidate John Warner. The outdoor drama "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" is also real. It is based on the novel by John Fox, Jr., another famous author from Big Stone Gap. The tone and atmosphere in this novel are authentic. They capture the qualities of this little town tucked back in the mountains perfectly. Of course, I am prejudiced toward this novel and toward the author, but I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read. It is a very good and unusual story.
Rating: 
Summary: What a great book!!
Review: To say I liked this book would be an understatement, for sure! I positively LOVED Ave Maria and thought Jack Mac was pretty spectacular, too! I loved Ave's approach to the whole Pearl situation and feel Pearl deserved what she got. I can hardly wait to read "Big Cherry Holler!"
Rating:
Summary: YOU GO GIRL......WE SOUTHERN WOMEN CAN BE INTELLIGENT
Review: Born and reared in this beautiful town,I was amazed to see the
characters brought to life by the author.Yes the characters are
real live people from the area.I can't wait to see the movie.
The author has written the novel from her heart and that is why
I loved it and recommend it.We are not the people the world
sees.We are normal small town people who work, live and respect
each other.We can say hello to our friends on the streets of
Big Stone Gap and know our next door neighbors are there for us
in times of need.Through this novel the reader can experience life in a "real" small town.My love for my hometown will forever
keep it "alive".
Rating:
Summary: Small town America at it¿s best.
Review: Outrageous and fun-loving characters that keep this story rolling in an enjoyable and entertaining manner. Ave Maria is not only the town spinster, but also privy to the whole towns business since she is the town Pharmacist. Not much stays private for long in the Gap and one big secret is about to be let out of the bag, but I'll leave that one for you all to read. The antics never end, and you will be happy to know that the sequel, BIG CHERRY HOLLER has been published so you can continue with the story. These are characters that you will want to remember, and to be able to pick up another book to take you back is a plus. This is a new author to me and I was lucky enough to listen to her narrate the book on tape. The lilt of her accent made me feel like I was right there in the Blue Ridge Mountains being told a story by my friend. Great book! Kelsana 9/01/01
Rating:
Summary: Visit some down to earth friends
Review: Big Stone Gap is a charming story of Ave Maria, a middle aged single woman living in a small Virginia town. Still sad from the death of her mother, she comes to find out that her real father was not the man that raised her. While trying to come to terms with this information Ave Maria makes some life altering decisions. With a great cast of neighbors and friends Big Stone Gap is sure to warm your heart and make you want more.
Rating:
Summary: Nice place to visit
Review: The characters in this book are so friendly and down to earth. Since I know that Big Stone Gap really exists I can't help but wonder are any of these people real or like someone who lives in the real Big Stone Gap. This book covers so many things in life, birth, death, love, jealousy, success, and anger to just name a few. The leading lady is like so many of us seeming to have confidence in herself one minute then confused the next. Helping others often neglecting herself. The men are handsome, friendly and willing to help. I'm glad that I got to visit Big Stone Gap in the pages of this book
Rating:
Summary: Touching, REAL and honest writing
Review: I LOVE THIS BOOK! This story warmed my heart. I really wanted to meet the characters. I RARELY read fiction because it is usually so artificial and inaccurate, but this book is like reality TV of books! The characters are so honest and their dialog is authentic. I think we will see even better books to come from this author. She has capture real life in a way rarely seen. BUY THIS BOOK!!!
Rating:
Summary: Just like WV
Review: This book reminds me of the time I lived in WV. Humorous and grounded.
Rating:
Summary: a book you can't put down,
Review: I spent the whole of a day reading this book, but the ending seemed a bit melodramatic for me. On the whole it was very enjoyable, a great summer read.
Rating:
Summary: An Interesting Look into Small Town Life
Review: This is a very readable story about a woman in a tiny coal-mining town in Virginia who has never really felt as if she belonged there. Yes, everyone in town has known her all her life and respects her as one of the town's best known citizens (she is both the town pharmacist and on the Rescue Squad). However, for reasons unknown to her, she has never felt as though she is truly a part of this community. Her life has revolved around her work and the weekly visit by her beloved bookmobile. But upon the death of her mother, Ave Maria starts to piece together some of the mystery surrounding her life and that of her family and she soons begins to believe that she needs to leave all that is familiar to her and to move on to somewhere else and start all over again. Amidst this, Ave Maria is regarded as the town spinster - it is unthinkable to most of the townsfolk (most of whom have married as young as 15) that a woman could be unmarried at the grand old age of 35. This book is well worth the time to find out just what it is that Ave Maria discovers about herself and her family and to accompany her on the path that she believes she must take. It has some very amusing moments, especially those that surround the visit by Elizabeth Taylor and John Warner. I look forward to reading the sequel, "Big Cherry Holler" some time soon.
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