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The Secret Wisdom of the Earth Christopher Scotton 9781455551927 Books

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The Secret Wisdom of the Earth Christopher Scotton 9781455551927 Books

One of my favorite literary characters of all time is Gus from Lonesome Dove. Halfway through "The Secret Wisdom of the Earth" I realized Pops (the narrator Kevin's grandfather) reminded me a lot of Gus. I loved him and I cared for him which is why I stuck with this novel even when it went a little off the tracks for me in the second act.

Kevin is a 14 year old who travels from Indiana to the backwoods of Kentucky to spend a summer with his grandfather after the horrific death of his younger brother. The tragedy has torn the family apart, making Kevin's father blame him for the death and nearly comatosing his mother. Kevin meets and befriends a local boy named Buzzy. Their friendship is almost as endearing at Kevin's relationship with his Pops. These interactions (between Kevin and Pops) were by far my favorite parts of this book as Pops doles out great advice ("Son, the more people I meet, the less good I get at labeling them. That’s a wisdom I hope you acquire.”) and some good humor (when Kevin asks “Is mule meat any good?” Pops replies: “Let’s hope we never have to find out.”).

First time author Christopher Scotton delivers a crisply told story even when it ambles off the path a bit. His writing is urgent as he utilizes a clever technique of turning nouns into verbs (he "pulled himself half out of the water, then jungle- gymmed to the far bank") and unique visuals as descriptions ("the old wipers on Pops’ truck leaving a frowning streak of water on every cycle.")

If there is a criticism to be made for this book it's that it attempts too many things. Part coming of age, part save the earth, part anti-violence, "The Secret Wisdom" sometimes feels like its goals are bigger than it they need to be. Because this book truly shines when its focus is smaller: Kevin chatting with his Pops or Kevin and Buzzy hanging out in the tree house on a lazy summer day.

I downloaded the first four chapters of this book for free from Amazon. I thought this was a great deal especially for a first time novelist attempting to build an audience. Before I was done with the 3rd chapter I'd bought the whole book. If that offer still exists and you're looking for a good quality read I'd suggest you download the free chapters and see if the story, and Scotton's writing doesn't grab you like it grabbed me.


Tags : The Secret Wisdom of the Earth [Christopher Scotton] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <b> A marvelous debut...has everything a big, thick novel should have, and I hated to put it down. - John Grisham A page-turner. - New York Times Book Review</i> For readers of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle</i>,Christopher Scotton,The Secret Wisdom of the Earth,Grand Central Publishing,1455551929,Coming Of Age,Family Life,Bildungsromans,FICTION Family Life,FICTION Family Life.,Families - Kentucky,Families;Kentucky;Fiction.,Mountain life - Appalachian Region,Mountain life;Appalachian Region;Fiction.,Mountaintop removal mining,AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY FICTION,American Contemporary Fiction - Individual Authors +,Appalachian Region,FICTION Coming of Age,FICTION Family Life General,FICTION Small Town & Rural,Families,Fiction,Fiction - General,Fiction-Coming of Age,FictionComing of Age,FictionLiterary,GENERAL,General Adult,Kentucky,Literary,Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945),Mountain life,United States,appalachia; american literature; coming of age; coming of age; kentucky; fiction coming of age; family relationships; coal mining; mountaintop removal; environmental books; bigotry; mining; book club books; literary fiction; appalachians; appalachian region; mining town; coal town; coal; mountains,appalachia; american literature; coming of age; kentucky; fiction coming of age; family relationships; coal mining; mountaintop removal; environmental books; bigotry; mining; book club books; literary fiction; appalachians; appalachian region; mining town; coal town; coal; mountains,bisacsh,FICTION Coming of Age,FICTION Family Life General,FICTION Small Town & Rural,FictionComing of Age,FictionLiterary,Literary,Fiction - General,American Contemporary Fiction - Individual Authors +,Appalachian Region,Families,Kentucky,Mountain life,bisacsh,Fiction,Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)

The Secret Wisdom of the Earth Christopher Scotton 9781455551927 Books Reviews

How many terrible things can happen in one family? The secret wisdom doesn't give us the answer but this family has more than its share of tragedy.
This is a well written interesting story about tragedy, grief, survival, strength, and more than anything, fear. Fear led people to do terrible things and to turn on one another.
I doubt everyone loves the long passages about camping, fishing and hunting but I found most of this every interesting. I especially liked reading about the use of herbs to ward off infection and fever.
The strength of family through generations was wonderful to read about. The emotional strength of the main characters came through so well. I rarely cry about anything but I cried when reading the scenes in Jukes Hollow cemetery.
I didn't give this 5 stars because I thought a few things were not resolved, most specifically, what is the future of Jukes Hollow?
I haven't read a book in a long time that drew me in so completely. This book is written in such a way as to remind me of the way Harper Lee wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird". I immediately liked Kevin, who felt so alone and betrayed by his father after his father blamed him for the death of his little brother. Kevin's Mom was so into her grieving that she wasn't able to give her 14 yr. old son the love he needed. Then in comes Pops, the grandfather who will be loved by everyone reading the book. He is a hero in this small town. He sees the good in everyone and seems to help, not only the town, but his grandson heal from all the wounds that hurt can cause. "Hurt people" usually end of hurting people and there are lessons learned in this town about that...The descriptions of the mountains destroyed by mining companies, but also the beauty of the area that are left unscathed are so well done by the author. You will be breathless on some of the adventures, brought to tears by events, and leave the book feeling like you will miss the characters after you leave the last page. I downloaded this book on my tablet, but I am going to go out and buy a hardcover because I want to keep this book on my shelf along with all of my "favorite" books. I know this will be made into a movie eventually, but nothing will compare to the actual read.
The writing in this novel is top notch, truly capturing the people and milieu it seeks to describe. It's been a long time since I have been excited to return to a book chapter after chapter simply to be transported by exquisitely constructed scenes. In some ways, it reminded me of "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" by David Wroblewski which was a similar coming of age saga. The many themes in Scotton's book, set in 1985, include grief, homophobia [a wrenching part of the story line in the wake of Orlando], boyhood friendship and a special bond between a boy and his grandfather, love of nature, corporate greed [the mining company], revenge, ignorance, survival, sacrifice, forgiveness..I could go on. I must say that a couple of the scenes seemed contrived and not very believable and the ending tied things up in too neat a little bow. Also, the behavior of those involved in the climatic scene in the book doesn't really make sense and was puzzling to me. But all is forgiven because the writing is so wonderful. I hope we don't have to wait another 15 years for a second outstanding novel from this writer!
One of my favorite literary characters of all time is Gus from Lonesome Dove. Halfway through "The Secret Wisdom of the Earth" I realized Pops (the narrator Kevin's grandfather) reminded me a lot of Gus. I loved him and I cared for him which is why I stuck with this novel even when it went a little off the tracks for me in the second act.

Kevin is a 14 year old who travels from Indiana to the backwoods of Kentucky to spend a summer with his grandfather after the horrific death of his younger brother. The tragedy has torn the family apart, making Kevin's father blame him for the death and nearly comatosing his mother. Kevin meets and befriends a local boy named Buzzy. Their friendship is almost as endearing at Kevin's relationship with his Pops. These interactions (between Kevin and Pops) were by far my favorite parts of this book as Pops doles out great advice ("Son, the more people I meet, the less good I get at labeling them. That’s a wisdom I hope you acquire.”) and some good humor (when Kevin asks “Is mule meat any good?” Pops replies “Let’s hope we never have to find out.”).

First time author Christopher Scotton delivers a crisply told story even when it ambles off the path a bit. His writing is urgent as he utilizes a clever technique of turning nouns into verbs (he "pulled himself half out of the water, then jungle- gymmed to the far bank") and unique visuals as descriptions ("the old wipers on Pops’ truck leaving a frowning streak of water on every cycle.")

If there is a criticism to be made for this book it's that it attempts too many things. Part coming of age, part save the earth, part anti-violence, "The Secret Wisdom" sometimes feels like its goals are bigger than it they need to be. Because this book truly shines when its focus is smaller Kevin chatting with his Pops or Kevin and Buzzy hanging out in the tree house on a lazy summer day.

I downloaded the first four chapters of this book for free from . I thought this was a great deal especially for a first time novelist attempting to build an audience. Before I was done with the 3rd chapter I'd bought the whole book. If that offer still exists and you're looking for a good quality read I'd suggest you download the free chapters and see if the story, and Scotton's writing doesn't grab you like it grabbed me.