The Coalwood Way

Rating:
Summary: A compelling portrayal of Coalwood
Review: There is something about Mr. Hickam's writing that draws you in immediately. It seems that each and every word that he writes is meaningful not just as a word in a sentence, but in the overall context of the novel. It is almost like poetry, but a kind of no-frills, down-to-earth poetry.
But it is not really the words that you recognize when you read the novel. It is more the way he tells you the story, the patient, completely trusting way that you learn about him. He writes this book for the whole world to see, and you get the feeling that he bares his soul and trusts you completely. It is this trusting ability that he imparts that is so compelling about his works because although he is a great writer and shaper of phrases, it is ultimately his voice, even more than his message, which will keep you focused in the novel. Moreover, he has a gift of being able to impart whatever feelings he has at the moment onto the page, and in doing so, puts you into his world.
This novel has been called an equal of Rocket Boys, but I think that in some ways, this novel is even better. It focuses more on the people of the town instead of showing Mr. Hickam's childhood. I also find this novel more honest and realistic of the his life. There are parts in Rocket Boys where you don't get the full story and which are covered in this book. These parts may not be the wonderful, life-always-turns-out-great kind of stories, but that's life. I think that the idea that life's not always fair, but you do what you can is conveyed even more clearly in this novel than in Rocket Boys.
Having said all this though, I must admit that I like Rocket Boys more. It is not that this book is written more poorly (no, on the contrary, this book feels more mature), but simply because I enjoyed the details of Mr. Hickams early forays into the world of rocketry in that earlier book. However, The Coalwood Way is most certainly my second favorite book and I would recommend everyone to read this fascinating memoir.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Writer
Review: The Coalwood Way, by Homer Hickam, is the sequel to October Sky. It is 1959 and the
Rocket Boys are still making their handmade rockets. Homer "Sonny" Hickam is trying to
prove to his father that he will go to college and succeed. Although with the mine not
doing very well, it does not look like any of the Coalwood children will get very far in life.
A lot of the miners have lost their jobs and Sonny's father has to make some dangerous
decisions about what to do to keep the town and the mine from going poor. Sonny's
mother feels cut off from her husband and the townspeople. Her role as the
superintendent's wife makes things difficult with the wives of the union workers.
In the bleak, cold winter months optimism is hard to come by in Coalwood. Sonny
is overcome with a sense of gloom and trys desperately to figure out what is causing it.
When Coalwood is in need of some spirt-lifting, Sonny and his friends bring back the spirit
of Christmas just in time.
Hickam's story brings the characters from his childhood to life in a touching tale
that provokes the mood of the mid-twentieth century. Sonny learns many things about his
brother and his parents throughout the story. His father is a workaholic who feels
responsible and inadequate, and his mother is very intelligent and perceptive who feels
isolated from her whole family. Sonny moves from childhood to adulthood in a few short
months as Coalwood changes in many different ways. The story reminds us of the
importance of keeping our dreams and not letting little things or big things change them.
It also remids us that growing up is hard, yet possible. If we stay together with our friends
and family and we we pray and learn to live together, then we can get through anything.