Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the tiny town of Big Stone Gap is home to some of the most charming eccentrics in the state. Ave Maria Mulligan is the town’s self-proclaimed spinster, a thirty-five year old pharmacist with a “mountain girl’s body and a flat behind.” She lives an amiable life with good friends and lots of hobbies until the fateful day in 1978 when she suddenly … discovers that she’s not who she always thought she was. Before she can blink, Ave’s fielding marriage proposals, fighting off greedy family members, organizing a celebration for visiting celebrities, and planning the trip of a lifetime — a trip that could change her view of the world and her own place in it forever. Brimming with humor and wise notions of small-town life, Big Stone Gap is a gem of a book with a giant heart…
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Women’s fiction is not my usual cup of tea, but Trigiani’s book based in Big Stone Gap, an actual small mining town in Virginia, is a sweet, laugh-out-loud, surprising read. The two main characters are Ave Maria Mulligan, the town pharmacist and spinster, and Jack “Mac” MacChesney, one of the coal miners who has loved Ave Maria for twenty years. A …
A wonderful look into small town mountain living. This is a journey of surprises and discovery all while everyone in town knows your business sometimes even before you know it. Ave Maria is the town pharmacist discovers a long kept secret. Her journey to find the truth is at times sad but also an amusing time with the different town characters. I …
This was a great book! Can’t wait to see how the movie is done. Quick read! Highly recommend this book!
This was my first into this author. This series set in Appalachia was absolutely wonderful. I then proceeded to get the entire series of the remaining 4 books. Each one was just as good. I was sorry to leave this series but no doubt I will read more of her books. I found myself laughing out loud throughout. So good and I can completely …
In 2006, a co-worker introduced me to Author Adriana Trigiani. Big Stone Gap was the first book I read, and I was immediately hooked and have read almost all of her books!
This was the first book I read by the author and still my favorite. I could picture myself in this small Appalachian community. I still have the entire series.
From the descriptive scenery to the descriptive hearts of the characters this book has you wanting to learn more about each and every character!!! So glad there are 3 books in the series. I would love more! One of my all time favorites
Beautiful story, characters to love and such soul.
Curl up on a chair with your feet tucked under a blanket over you to enjoy. This book is hard to put down. When a story touches you there is no higher compliment. Adriana is a breath of fresh air in this world. We need more writers and people like her who reach out to us and take us on an …
Adriana Trigiani captures the quintessential Italian-American experience whether it is in the hills and hollers of Appalachia, the largest Cities or even in Italy. In this book her character Ave Maria deals masterfully with her career as a pharmacist and her wanderlust, as well as working with her friends and acquaintances to deal with day to day …
I eagerly read all of Trigiani’s books. A wonderful storyteller!
All Trigani books are great
This was a great book. So enjoyed the setting and the characters.
Love this book! Great story, wonderful setting, and interesting, realistic characters.
Have read most of her books. Good story teller. The best books are ones you get involved in from the first chapter. This is one of those!
I like this author, I try ato nd get all her books
One of my favorite books.
3-1/2 stars. Likeable characters, but doubt that I care enough to read other books in this series. (It just didn’t resonate with me). Well written, with no slow, rambling spots.
Love this book. Good read
Maybe it’s because I live in the Appalachians, where this novel takes place, but this is a memorable story of life in this part of the country. It’s not altogether an autobiography, but it seems like it, and you will remember this book and its characters long after you’ve read it. The movie based on the book was wonderful, too. A great book and …
Delightful read with wonderful, entertaining characters.