Rating: 
Summary: A Marriage in the Doldrums
Review: Long time spinster Ave Maria Mulligan married Jack MacChesney in the far better novel Big Stone Gap. But, alas, the marriage has grown stale. Following the death of their second child the two find it increasingly difficut to communicate, or even to muster much concern for the other. The supporting cast of characters is so much more fun than the main characters that I have trouble mustering up much concern for Ave and Jack myself. The book comes alive when Ave and her daughter travel back to Italy-without Jack--to spend time with her family. Upon her return to Big Stone Gap she and Jack eventually effect a reconciliation. One hopes that it "takes" because another novel exploring their further marriage travails would be too, too much.
Rating: 
Summary: The first one was better...
Review: It was nice to visit with the same characters from Trigiani's first novel, and to meet some new charming ones, including her daughter. However, there was too much at the end that was resolved too easily between husband and wife. I found their relationship to have been deeper than was depicted at the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Trigiana entertains AND touches your heart........
Review: Big Cherry Holler stays true to the first book (Big Stone Gap). The characters are as real and as crazy/funny as real life people. In this novel a couple struggles with the death of a child and how it shakes a marriage to its very foundation, causing the couple to take a new look at what the foundation actually is. Ave Maria, the main character, is so busy protecting herself from feeling anything that she fails to live her life fully. Her husband, Jack, has his own reactions to all of these events, and wants his wife to be free to make the important decisions and choices she must face in order to be happy and live fully. This is truley an amazing insightful look into the hearts and souls of these characters. Trigiani gentley enters their private lives and proceeds to guide us through their thoughts, hopes and dreams. The friends and family of Ave Maria and Jack add a delightful touch of humor and friendship that really are a critical part of the novel, as important as friends and family in real life. Trigiana is a wonderful story teller and manages to touch your heart with her tale.
Rating: 
Summary: A Place I Would Love To Visit
Review: This was a great read.I wish the author had more to add,say maybe the life of Etta.Adriana has such a gift of words and imagination in describing the characters of her books. I would recommend reading Big Stone Gap first.
Rating:
Summary: Great Sequel
Review: Big Cherry Holler is a sequel that does not disappoint. Eight years later where Big Stone Gap leaves off, we get to return to this beloved town and visit our old friends. If you haven't read Big Stone Gap-you must read this first to truly appreciate this sequel. Instead of trying to live up to the same flair and energy as Big Stone Gap, Big Cherry Holler takes us down a different path-a more serious and insightful one. The tone is a more in-depth one, exploring the struggles and paths that marriage can take. Once again the author writes so well on human nature and relationships. We get to revisit all of the characters and see where they are-I loved it. I too fell in love with Big Stone Gap and Italy & would love to visit both. Both of these books are now on my list of favorites.
Rating:
Summary: Way to go Adri!!!!!
Review: Having grown up in Big Stone Gap and having known Adri, I am just so proud!! After having read both Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler, I can see that my pride is completely justified--not only is she a wonderful person, but an extremely talented author. Both books hook the reader with vivid characterizations and keep you there with intriquing plot lines. It's like revisiting the Big Stone Gap of my youth, so let me invite you to come on in and let Adri take you on an incredible journey to the lush hills of Southwest Virginia where everyone you meet can be a friend, and I promise you will want to return again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Can we please have another sequel?
Review: I read both BIG STONE GAP and BIG CHERRY HOLLER in just a matter of weeks and had a hard time putting either down. I found myself awake until 2AM to read the next page! I passed both on to my mother-in-law, who then passed them on to her sister, then my sister-in-law. We are all in total agreement on this one! Living only approx. an hour and a half form Big Sone Gap in a small rural town, we could relate to many of the characters amd locations. I found myself wondering what happens to all of the characters in these books and longing for yet another sequel! PLEASE ADRIANS, TELL US MORE!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful return...
Review: Adriana Trigiani has done it again! After reading this novel, I felt like I had been to the best family reunion ever. Although a bit more serious than its predecessor, Big Cherry Holler was a pleasure to read and its characters a joy to revisit. It's been eight years since Ave Maria Mulligan and Jack MacChesney tied the knot. Their marriage started off wonderfully, but like most relationships, eventually things change. Feelings regarding the death of their son and changes in the mining industry -- Jack's lifeblood -- has put a major strain on their relationship. And with too many years as an independent spinster behind her, Ave Maria finds it hard to completely let go and be a full participating part in her marriage. Plus, those rumors of infidelity don't help matters much. In hopes to fuel the dying spark, Ave plans a summer trip to Italy for her, Jack and their 8-year-old daughter, Etta. But as they say, the best laid plans can often go awry.... Big Cherry Holler is a wonderful testimony to the joys and trials of marriage. I related to both sides of the story and even felt I learned something about men versus women. And of course those quirky Gap residents are back for more laughs: still-sexy-but-married Iva Lou Wade Makin, who has all sorts of marital advice to share; savvy business woman Pearl Grimes; Theodore Tipton, Ave's best friend with a secret all his own; and Rescue Squad volunteer Spec Broadwater, who finds himself in an interesting situation. I loved this novel - more so as it neared the end. Vibrant cast of characters and a real drama that unfolds slowly throughout the book. Hope there is another Big Stone Gap novel in the works!
Rating:
Summary: It's Good to be Back in Big Stone Gap
Review: A month ago I read "Big Stone Gap" by Adriana Trigiana. The book put me under a spell, rendering it impossible for me to come up for breath until I had read the last page. I had such a good time with Ave Maria and her neighbors that I eagerly purchased the sequel, "Big Cherry Holler". Although the tone of this book is not as light as that of the first book, you will still be able to find the same group of old friends along with some new ones. Only this time, they deal with heavier issues such as the death of a child, marital strife,etc. Trigiana writes as if she were a best friend to her readers, filling them in on all of the deep, private thoughts of Ave Maria as she comes to terms with her marriage and her life. The thoughts are realistic and surprising at times, but always genuine. I hope to see the third book soon in this wonderful series.
Rating:
Summary: I want to live in Big Stone Gap!
Review: In the last seven days I have read BIG STONE GAP and BIG CHERRY HOLLER. I tried to slow down, and saver every page But I Couldn't! I ate each page like a dish of chocolate ice cream -- wanting more and more! At night I would dream about "The Gap," and during the day I would day dream about traveling in Italy with Ave Maria. I felt her pain, and her joy! In the end I wanted to be one of her many "colorfull" friends! Now that I am done reading both of these books I am lost, waiting for the Movie (which I read is in the making) and the 3rd (I hope) book about this charming place called BIG STONE GAP! I recommend both books highly!
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