Set in the Carolinas in the 1940s, The Road to Bittersweet is a beautifully written, evocative account of a young woman reckoning not just with the unforgiving landscape, but with the rocky emotional terrain that leads from innocence to wisdom. For fourteen-year-old Wallis Ann Stamper and her family, life in the Appalachian Mountains is simple and satisfying, though not for the tenderhearted. … for the tenderhearted. While her older sister, Laci—a mute, musically gifted savant—is constantly watched over and protected, Wallis Ann is as practical and sturdy as her name. When the Tuckasegee River bursts its banks, forcing them to flee in the middle of the night, those qualities save her life. But though her family is eventually reunited, the tragedy opens Wallis Ann’s eyes to a world beyond the creek that’s borne their name for generations.
Carrying what’s left of their possessions, the Stampers begin another perilous journey from their ruined home to the hill country of South Carolina. Wallis Ann’s blossoming friendship with Clayton, a high diving performer for a traveling show, sparks a new opportunity, and the family joins as a singing group. But Clayton’s attention to Laci drives a wedge between the two sisters. As jealousy and betrayal threaten to accomplish what hardship never could—divide the family for good—Wallis Ann makes a decision that will transform them all in unforeseeable ways . . .
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THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET by Donna Everhart is a beautifully written, emotional coming-of-age story set in the Carolinas in the early 1940s. The book depicts the lives of the Stamper family as they face extraordinary hardship and tragedy after a devastating flood forces them to flee their home in the mountain foothills in the middle of the night with only what they can carry with them. The story is told through the eyes of 14-year-old, Wallis Ann Stamper, the middle child of Ann and William Stamper. The language of the Appalachian mountain people is perfectly conveyed by the author, lending authenticity and a true connection to the characters and the time period. I was totally drawn into the characters’ lives and their emotional and physical struggles. Even the secondary characters are well-developed and believable. The descriptions of the sights and sounds of the land and the river are so vivid that I felt like I was there with the characters. This book held me captive from beginning to end. I could not put it down until I reached the poignant and heartwarming ending. I highly recommend this moving and memorable story of family, hope and survival.
I so enjoyed this book and spending time with Wallis Ann Stamper. Even though the main character is much younger than me I found myself wanting to be more like her! Most have described this as a coming-of-age story and I would agree with that. I am a lover of Appalachian fiction so this story was well suited for me. I loved the author’s style of writing and her use of the Appalachian way of speaking. While this isn’t high brow or scholarly literature it is a very well written book. If you love southern or historical fiction with great characters and a good storyline you will enjoy this book.
This was a wonderful book that deals with a young girl who is coming of age and life in the mountains of NC in the 1940. It’s so much more than that! Wallis Ann Stamper will guide you through her life and all the adventures and tragedies she experienced. The book quietly draws you in but packs an emotional punch frequently.
This was another emotional journey that Donna Everhart does so well. I highly recommend curling up in your comfortable reading spot and getting lost in Wallis Ann’s story.
BOOK REVIEW:
The Road To Bittersweet by Donna Everhart
A true winner!
From the Tuckasegee River Region of the Appalachian Mountains comes a story so inspiring and heart-wrenching, yet courageous, you’ll be drawn in immediately!
Our protagonist in this story is 14 year old Wallis Ann Stamper who in her tender years along with her family, must fight against and adapt to one of life’s forces, Nature itself…..
Although tender-hearted, you’ll find grit, loss, division, survival, and jealousy….. but more importantly, love and understanding within this story’s pages.
The text (fast-paced), follows seamlessly and speaks its down- home southerness to a tee.
The characters are strong and wonderfully written as such. The descriptions are crisp and artfully portrayed.
You will fall in love with all that is The Road To Bittersweet from its simplicity to its richness.
This story was told in the 1940’s when a massive flood devastated family’s lives by taking away their homes, livestock, supplies, gardens,clean water supply and all necessary items to be able t0 live comfortably in the Appalachian Mountains. Imagine having to sleep by the fire with no blankets, the family only had one outfit and the two girls had no shoes. Wallis Ann Stamper had to haul water from the creek to the fire and it had to be boiled, so it would be safe to drink. She was the strong one that worked along with her Father to take care of the hard work. Her Mother appeared to be very weak. She looked after Seph, the little boy of the family and did some cooking. Wallis Ann cooked, cleaned, washed, hauled water, wood and worked like a man. She also took care of her older sister Laci that could not talk from birth. She would cling to Wallis Ann wherever they went. The day to day hardship of struggling to find food and then rationing the food was horrific. They were always hungry. The little boy got sick from drinking the bad water when he was with Wallis Ann and she didn’t see him and had tremendous guilt from that. They had to find shelter from the winter, so they took their few belongings and drove various places trying to sing for money. They even joined a Traveling Circus. With all Wallis Ann had to endure – she also had a beautiful sister that she was compared to and that was hard for her to deal with. She wanted so bad for someone to see her – and not her sister that was so talented – playing a violin that she could just learn a song by listening to it played a couple of times. Wallis Ann was not strong when guys would look at her sister instead of her. That caused a wedge between them. Something she had to learn the hard way to overcome. An inspiring story of how tough it was to survive in those times with no resources – just a will to survive by any means they could. I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it highly!
I just loved this book! I read it in one afternoon, I could not put it down. Strong characters, great story. Love Donna Everharts books.
Road to Bittersweet
Excellent view of Appalachia!
This book weaves a story of one Appalachian family and their struggles to survive. It’s also a “coming of age” story told by the family’s youngest member, Walis Ann.” Told well and performance superb. Highly recommend!
This book stayed with me. Wonderfully original and deep, Incredibly resourceful and resilient, tackling bottom -falling-out, trumatic life-altering survival circumstances through the experiences of an unexpectedly sound -minded, true hearted and remarkable girl. The author took the highroad avoiding victimizing those affected by the circumstances and instead showing the strength we all have in us that helps us rise above and rebuild
I enjoyed reading about a time and place in American history that I didn’t know much about. The family’s troubles are nearly too much to bear as they lose their homestead to flooding and they have a hardscrabble life trying to survive and stick together.
Very sweet story
So sorry when I finished the book – I wanted it to just go on and on – felt like I had lost part of my own family when it ended….
Exceptional
When I read the description “Set in the Carolinas in the 1940s” and “life in the Appalachian Mountains” , I knew that I wanted to read The Road To Bittersweet by Donna Everhart! I requested the book at my library! I finally got the book and I wasn’t disappointed in reading this book!
The Stamper family were forced to flee their mountain cabin in the middle of the night when the Tuckasegee River overflows it’s banks and floods their home and many others! After being separated from her family, fourteen year old Wallis Ann Stamper fights for her life in the river is swept many miles away and then heads back to her mountain cabin! The astounding descriptions and the trials and tribulations of Wallis Ann during this trying time kept me rivited!
Reuniting with her family, Wallis Ann, her parents and her older sister, Laci, a mute and a musical genius, begins a journey with a traveling show as singers! Clayton, a high diving performer, is instrumental in introducing the family to the traveling show owner. Clayton’s attention to the sisters caused jealousy and betrayal which divides the family. This will keep you entertained in reading The Road To Bittersweet. Donna Everhart captures the life of the characters with the Hardship of the 1940s with an enduring , heartwarming story of one family’s life.
I’m looking forward to reading The Forgiving Kind, The Education of Dixie Dupree, and especially The Moonshiner’s Daughter, her next book to be released on December 31, 2019!
Appalachian fiction
I bought this book because of the cover, the photo was taken by a local to me photographer and it was recently featured in the local newspaper.
The primary character is Scout-like, and these are her (sometimes very tough) growing pains.
Love this book.
Although I was pretty certain where the main character’s love story was going, the path to get there was creative and the second love story was completely out of the blue.
Extremely poignant and bittersweet. Heartbreaking and optimistic too! I highly recommend this. It says young adult, but I loved it at age 50 something.
Just a wonderful book.