The year is 1929, and newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton travel from Boston to the North Carolina mountains where they plan to create a timber empire. Although George has already lived in the camp long enough to father an illegitimate child, Serena is new to the mountains—but she soon shows herself to be the equal of any man, overseeing crews, hunting rattle-snakes, even saving her husband’s … husband’s life in the wilderness. Together this lord and lady of the woodlands ruthlessly kill or vanquish all who fall out of favor. Yet when Serena learns that she will never bear a child, she sets out to murder the son George fathered without her. Mother and child begin a struggle for their lives, and when Serena suspects George is protecting his illegitimate family, the Pembertons’ intense, passionate marriage starts to unravel as the story moves toward its shocking reckoning.
Rash’s masterful balance of violence and beauty yields a riveting novel that, at its core, tells of love both honored and betrayed.
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Are there books that you can like and dislike at the same time? Yes – this is it.
What did I like?
– very bold and strong characters
– written in such a way as to keep me reading
– interesting historical references
What did I dislike?
– dark themes throughout the novel
– the lack of hope in the story
I can appreciate the talent of the author …
I did not like the main characters and had no empathy for them. I was bored reading the book and quit reading at 80%.
Don’t know that the characters were “wonderful” in the sense that Serena is scary, nuts, & twisted.
Loved the characters
Didn’t enjoy it. Kept thinking it would get better. Finally at the very end it got somewhat interesting. Would never see the movie now. A waste of time in my opinion.
Grabs your interest and does not let go. Will read more by this author!
BORING – EXPECTED A MORE INTERESTING STORY LINE
This was a crazy story! Not my favorite Ron Rash, but still very entertaining.
The book was original and easy to read.
A very interesting and dramatic tale of of opportunistic cruelty. A local logging partnership is torn apart when the youngest partner marries a strong cunning woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, including Killing anyone who is perceived as a potential threat. This book is fast paced, with vivid characters that reflect the …
Interesting characters and plot
I didn’t realize a woman could be as evil as Serina.
I enjoyed the read and the unfolding horror.
I love Ron Rash’s books. This was his best. It took place in NC where we live which made it more interesting.
The main characters are ruthless & are really hard to like. Interesting information about Western North Carolina at the time before Smokey National Park was created and the lumber industry.