Jimmy Lee Hickam grew up along Red Dog Road, a dead-end strip of gravel and mud buried deep in the bowels of Appalachian Ohio. It is the poorest road, in the poorest county, in the poorest region of the state. To make things worse, the name Hickam is synonymous with trouble. Jimmy Lee hails from a heathen mix of thieves, moonshiners, drunkards, and general anti-socials that for decades have … have clung to both the hardscrabble hills and the iron bars of every jail cell in the region. This life, Jimmy Lee believes, is his destiny, someday working with his drunkard father at the sawmill, or sitting next to his arsonist brother in the penitentiary. There aren’t many options if your last name is Hickam.
An inspiring coach and Jimmy Lee’s ability to play football are the only things motivating him to return for his junior year of high school—until his visionary English teacher cuts him a break and preserves his eligibility for the coming football season. To thank her, Jimmy Lee writes a winning essay in the high school writing contest. When irate parents and the baffled administration claim he has cheated, his teacher is inspired to take his writing talent as far as it can go, showing him the path out of the hills of Appalachia.
Terrific characterizations, surprising revelations, gut-wrenching past betrayals, and an unforgettable cast of characters born of the dusty, worn-out landscape of southeastern Ohio make The Essay a powerful, evocative, and incredibly moving novel.
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One of the best books I have read in a while! I am recommending it to all my fellow,readers.
Exceptional reading hard to put down book,
Excellent read! One of those books that you do not want to put down until the end.
The author wrote with descriptive words that painted a clear picture. The plot although predictable was well crafted.
I believe this is of the YA genre.
A good read
I found this to be a well-written and realistic telling of a compelling story of struggle and redemption. The characters are complex, and there are believable plot twists with an ending that is satisfying without being cliche.
It was written with a lot of thought and insite but my greatest pleasure came with the justice that was served on the hag mother of Jimmy Lee’s chief competitor. I didn’t see it coming and woohoo, she got it (smile) Is there another book in the wings?
Really sympathized with the character. Very typical of childrens reactions to the poorest kids at school. Even today kids do the same things but use a different platform to bulley others less fortunate. A very good read.
A memorable story of the power of a teacher’s courage to stand for a student who has been taught not to believe in himself.
Easy but enjoyable read.
This is a great book to read paired with Hillbilly Elegy.
Realistic and wonderful story. The author knows the area and the people of the area. It is very true, and very sensitive. Loved it.
I loved this book and would highly recommend it. Those of you who are teachers will be inspired to see how you can influence the lives of your students. It was at times witty and also positive. Very worthwhile read.
I felt like I knew the main characters quickly and it was a quick read.
I could not put this book down. I sat up way too late reading, and could hardly wait to get home from work to finish it. The main character tugged at my school-teacher heart. Loved this book.