All the Living
C.E. Morgan
February 2010
208 pages
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FTC disclosure: I almost left this blank. The horror! Luckily, I remembered to come back and tell you I bought it, so you can recall the troops.
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Publisher Comments:
One summer, a young woman travels with her lover to the isolated tobacco farm he has inherited after his family dies in a terrible accident. As Orren works to save his family farm from drought, Aloma struggles with the loneliness of farm life and must find her way in a combative, erotically-charged relationship with a grieving, taciturn man. A budding friendship with a handsome and dynamic young preacher further complicates her growing sense of dissatisfaction. As she considers whether to stay with Orren or to leave, she grapples with the finality of loss and death, and the eternal question of whether it is better to fight for freedom or submit to love.
All the Living has the timeless quality of a parable, but is also a perfect evocation of a time and place, a portrait of both age-old conflicts and modern life. It is an ode to the starve-acre Southern farm, the mountain landscape, and difficult love. In her lyrical and moving debut novel, C. E. Morgan recalls both the serenity of Marilynne Robinson and the shifting emotional currents and unashamed eroticism of James Salter. It is an unforgettable book from a major new voice.
This was the book I mentioned a few weeks ago in a Sunday Salon, the one that is likely set in present day, but feels more like something from the 1950s. Probably because Aloma is pretty isolated living outside of town on a tobacco farm. And the closest town is very small town, in the sense that everyone knows each other’s business.
It was okay, but then I’ve never made it through a Marilynne Robinson novel, so I’m guessing that’s not a writing style that is ever gonna rock my world. And I’ve never even heard of James Salter. Have you?
Never heard of him. But “unashamed eroticism” – why would I have heard of such a thing?!!!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Women’s History Month: What Did Susan B. Anthony Read? =-.
Even though the description doesn’t thrill me I do really like the jacket! Is that what drove you to purchase this in the first place? I don’t recognize either of the authors (Robinson or Salter) cited.
.-= Novelwhore´s last blog ..Discovered: NYC’s Urban Oasis =-.
I’m not a fan of Robinson either. I guess I’ll give this one a wide bertth!
.-= Jackie (Farm Lane Books)´s last blog ..My first self published book: The Native Hurricane – Chigozie John Obioma =-.
It’s a shame you didn’t like this one, because that cover is GORGEOUS!
.-= Lu´s last blog ..Poetry Wednesday: Music =-.
Ugg, Marilyn Robinson. I have no luck with her stuff either. I have to be in just the right mood for a really “quiet” novel as my mentor so tactfully called them.
.-= Andi´s last blog ..Raven Stole the Moon Winner! =-.
I read the book The Bone People earlier this year and that is set in the 1980s but FEELS like it could be set much, much earlier, so I get exactly what you mean!
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: The Wee Free Men =-.
I had to laugh when I saw that the publisher described this book as “lyrical”. Isn’t that supposed to be a no-no?!
Never heard of James Salter, either. Isn’t it also supposed to be a no-no to compare an author to other authors in a blurb — implying that the author him/herself is unoriginal.
If I were the author, I’d ask for a blurb re-write.
.-= Valerie´s last blog ..Which Books Should I Take on Spring Break? =-.
This sounds like one to skip. Thanks for your review!
I haven’t heard of either of them.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Novels & Gender =-.
Doesn’t say much when the best and most enthusiastic part of your review is the FTC line! : )
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Review: "How I Became A Famous Novelist" by Steve Hely =-.
Hmm, it definitely seems like you would have to be in a particular mood to enjoy this one. (When I read Marilynn Robinson, it was for a class in college that I really enjoyed, so that may have had an impact.) Next time I’m in a quiet mood, maybe I’ll give this one a shot.
.-= bookwanderer´s last blog ..Review: Horns =-.
This book didn’t rock my world either. It was just ok.
.-= Darlene´s last blog ..Book Review: The Creation of Eve by Lynn Cullen =-.
I (had to) read too much can-lit in high school about women living isolated lives on early canadian settlements – even though this is set in the present I will pass.
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..Graphic Novels v.6 ♦ Next Stop, The Twilight Zone! =-.
Wow! This is on my best-of list for 2009. Surprised to see so many people unwilling to read it. It’s a sexy book and very spiritual too. Too bad. Not every book has to be zippy. Some of them break your heart through subtlety.