The author's first person style is immediately powerful, tugging, dragging you (sometimes by the scruff of the neck and despite tired eyes) into the story of the hard life of a strange family in Depression era rural Kentucky. Each character is as finely crafted as a sculpture rich in texture and subtle meaning. The story, however, takes a far back position in this work thus limiting my rating of Carolyn Wall's writing. The characters are so vivid, so rich, and the narrative of the protagonist so compelling they are like powerful Sequoyah's hiding the suptle elm tree. The story line, with its epic sweep reminiscent of a great and universal saga of human emotion and foibles, is often hidden.The characters take on a mythic size that overpowers the story and it is story that leaves the reader satisfied. I cannot say I liked the book. It was too strong an impression for such an inferior word. The power of the author to craft words with haunting cadence, rich meaning, and authentic ring is well worth the time spent in reading this book.It was a book that once I closed it had me wondering what had I just read? How to define the experience? What were the themes and motivations driving these characters so richly drawn?It was too much like a field of hearty plants with the harvest somehow lacking. Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall is set in depression era Kentucky. Olivia’s life has not been a bed of roses. Widowed and raising her grandson on her own, she scrapes by living in a shanty that is her home and the grocery store that provides her meager income. Her mother is crazy, her beloved father dead. She doesn’t have an easy existence. But when someone starts shooting wolves, Olivia takes action. She is willing to put herself on the line to save the animals. In order to succeed she will have to come to terms with the dark secrets of her past before she becomes the prey along with her grandson. Haunting, powerful, and with a rich complicated plot.
Do You like book Sweeping Up Glass (Lib)(CD) (2008)?
Beautiful writing, great story, well paced, emotional. Highly recommended.
—candelian
This book starts off slow but I really enjoyed it from the middle on.
—cinderella
What a phenomenal book! Read it in 7 hours, couldn't put it down!
—navy_dolphin_105
