Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Silas House. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!
Set in the 1920s in rural Kentucky, two couples, bound by love, but forbidden to pursue - Amos and Tom and Maeve and Paschal. Tom can't shake the religious code he was raised by and eventually marries his longtime friend, Maeve. Maeve, meanwhile, pines for Pascal but strict Jim Crow laws prevent them being together. The story follows them through decades of their lives.
Be sure and read the acknowledgments in the back of the book, where you will learn that this book is based on both the author's ancestors and his own life. This book is very character driven and it kept my interest from the beginning. It's appalling and heartbreaking to read about the injustices and cruelty experienced by so many during this time period, here focusing on Blacks and LGBTQ people. The writing is beautiful, paying homage to the Appalachian region. A powerful read.
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