Praise For The Burying Man
“I can see a movie on the horizon”
We drove up from Knoxville and my wife bought this book for me at Cumberland Gap. I don’t read fiction……..ever, but thought I would give this book a try because I am an Appalachian, an East Tennessean, and like stories based in Appalachia or dealing with Appalachian culture. I majored in Anthropology, especially like Cultural Anthropology, and have spent quite a bit of time studying Appalachian culture and her dialect. I can spot fakery and fake dialect.
The book, plot, character development, and story line is very well done and very well written. I would say it was an easy read, for me that is, but may not be for those unaccustomed to the intricacies of Appalachian dialect and folk sayings. Only someone from this area could do such a tremendous job capturing the culture, dialect and tone or mood of our peculiar language and use it in such a profound way. The authors were spot on with the usage as well as the use of quaint Appalachian sayings. The authors did an excellent job with character development, so much so that it is easy to create a “mind” picture of these individuals. So much so that one finds it easy to love some of the characters and absolutely hate and loathe others. So much so that the reader will want some loathsome characters to tear and gnash their teeth in the pits of hell. The same can be said of the geography and scenery presented in this book. Again, only someone intimately familiar with our nat ive soil, the woods, and nature, could have written such a rich description of the area; another “mind” picture if you will. The story is written during The Great Depression and is evident that the author either lived during this time period, had first hand knowledge of this time period, or researched this time period. Being a student of history, I found the references to the clothing, buildings, automobiles, weapons, food, and mining operations to be spot on. Again, an additional “mind” picture to add to the senses.
And to the story line and plot? Well, you won’t see it coming. Unlike some books or movies, you won’t likely guess what will happen next. You will be moved by the plight of those involved. Their sorrow will be yours and the story told, though fiction, is true to history and will give the reader a greater appreciation of the plight of those who toiled beneath the earth. Final thought: I can see a movie on the horizon and I would love to be a part of it.
—W J Mode with Talent Trek, Knoxville
One of my favorite books I’ve ever read. It was warm, touching & insightful. It had everything a great book should have. Great writing! Great story!
The book is about a young man who finds his calling at a young age but still ends up in the coal mines of Harlan County, Kentucky.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. You will not want to put this book down.
— Tim Callahan, Author of the Kentucky Summers series
“The Burying Man by Cleudis Robbins and Janene E. Nielsen is set in the Harlan County of Mr. Robbins’ youth, but it is so much more than the usual memoir of growing up in a coal camp during the Great Depression.
Although it is a work of fiction with an engaging and often suspenseful story line, this novel paints such an accurate picture of life during that difficult time of union battles and economic deprivation that the reader has difficulty remembering that it is not totally fact. The authors replicate the language of southeastern Kentucky—not just the words but their sometimes unique usage and the cadence of the speech. They further enrich their work with the sayings, folk wisdom and customs of the time. There are even footnotes to explain certain terms. This engrossing novel provides some enlightening insights into the culture of southeastern Kentucky. It is further enhanced by drawings by Michelle R. Metcalfe which capture the essence of the time and place.
The Burying Man deserves space on anyone’s reading list, but especially someone interested in the people of Appalachia.”
—Author of Magic City, Ann Matheny, Gateway
“Solid plotting, well-rounded character development, and good vs. evil themes make for a stirring read.”
—Dave Tabler, Appalachian History.net
http://www.appalachianhistory.net/2013/04/book-review-the-burying-man.html
Emerita, once visited—like an old love—is never forgotten. I recommend this book highly to anyone who appreciates a finely crafted and well-written tale.
“The Burying Man by award-winning Appalachian storyteller Cleudis Robbins and his co-author Janene E Nielsen is a haunting tale reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird. Just as Harper Lee conjures the tired old town of Maycomb, Robbins and Nielsen lead the reader through a magical doorway to Emerita, a coal mining camp in 1930s Appalachia. Old Appalachia, with its forgotten lore and mysterious beauty, is on full display as the story of Mournful Grace, a coal miner and funeralizing preacher, unfolds.
This tale, amusing and sobering—not one or the other, but both at once—is told through the voice of Mournful’s daughter, Bud.
“Appalachia is full of ghosts. I ought to know; I am one of them [. . .] How come I was in my grave by my 10th birthday takes some telling.”
Set against the backdrop of the Bloody Harlan County Coal Wars, Bud tells the tragic story of her father’s life, a life that overshadows her own. Bud’s confiding and conspiratorial tone is a large part of the charm of The Burying Man as she lets drop delightful Appalchian truths by simply telling what “everyone knows.”
“On burying day there was rain on some of the ridges to the east but dry in Emerita. Good thing, too, cause everyone knows if rain falls in an open grave, the deceased will go straight to hell.”
This is a book difficult to classify. Fiction, yes, but with a strong historical backbone as the plight of the Appalachian people in the early 19th century is heartbreakingly detailed. Appalachia’s natural world is under assault by industrialists who are after its minerals at any cost. The Burying Man reveals what happens when the coal miners—and Mournful in particular—fight back.
Wise beyond her years, Bud’s observations of her world are unforgettable:
“Morning don’t know how to grieve proper, leastways not like night. Night sops up sorrow til the air is heavy with it, but morning just puts on a clean shirt and goes about its business.”
In his bio author Cleudis Robbins says The Burying Man is his love song to Appalachia. That sums it up pretty well as Emerita, once visited—like an old love—is never forgotten. I recommend this book highly to anyone who appreciates a finely crafted and well-written tale.
—Angela Spanos, Twilightwalker
“The Burying Man is a love song to Appalachia.”
Like any good love story, The Burying Man is hard to resist. Love hurts, and this story of an Apppalachian mining community during the Great Depression doesn’t shy away from pain. The main character is called Mournful, and death is in the first sentence. But in the second, we are told “heaven is all around you” and continue to catch glimpses of it for the rest of the book. Amid descriptions of suffering and loss, beauty shines through. It’s a great story, with great characters, and descriptions so pretty you can’t help but stop to take a second look. More poetry than prose, The Burying Man is a love song to Appalachia.
“Mournful spent his young days roaming the Cumberland Mountains. The storied woods and singing streams became his church. Each morning he left the valley’s shadow to be baptized anew in the sunlight of the ridge.”
“Evangeline was a pretty girl who was spared the indignities of real beauty — not the kind that made a man turn his head, but the kind that turned his thoughts.”
“He reached out and touched my hand and my little fist opened and closed around his finger, pulling him back, suspending him between hell and hallowed ground.”
“Sins repented of in the morning returned in full measure as the afternoon temperature climbed. Covetousness and evil speaking were on shameful display as folks elbowed their neighbors for more room on the benches.”
Language like this is hard not to love, and I fell hard for this book. I haven’t enjoyed reading so much since The Book Thief. Beautifully written, and highly recommended!
Sharon C., Flower Mound, Texas
This is a wonderful book. I had no idea about the coal mines and how they were run. It fascinated me that in the midst of all the tragedy, you could still find hope and faith.
“I know a book is good when it makes me laugh and cry.”
I read the book to my husband. We both loved the book! I know a book is good when it makes me laugh and cry. My favorite part is Grandma Cora digging her own grave and sleeping in it!
– Lori E., Book Benders, DFW
This is a good story. I enjoyed the poetic justice at the end!. . .good writing style with likeable characters and detestable villains!
– Andrea R., Houston, Texas
“Achingly beautiful prose!”
Mesmerizing! Full of unexpected superstition and lore- I felt like I was sitting around a camp fire listening to a hauntingly beautiful story about a mystical place I’d never heard of before. Achingly beautiful prose!
— Emma R., Corinth, Texas
“This is truly a unique story. . .”
The Burying Man is such a well written and captivating book that while you are reading it you feel compelled to reel off whole paragraphs to anyone close by. If there is no one close by, then you reread the paragraph for the pleasure of the words and story. The Burying Man artfully pulls you into the back hill country of Appalachia to a time that is so different from our own. The back country tone is uncomplicated but heartfelt, revealing the struggle between good and evil, man against man, power over the oppressed, nature and the supernatural. This truly a unique story is told by a young girl, wise beyond her years, whose short life, filled with love, would ultimately transcend her death.
– Terri K., DFW
“Our book club loved it!”
Our book club loved it! So well written, well paced, and such well drawn characters! (Makes you sad to finish it; wondering about a sequel?)
– Joan C., Flower Mound, Texas
The Burying Man is a quick read that leaves you in awe of all of the sufferingexperienced by the coal mining families of Kentucky. Though your heart breaks for those oppressed, the humorous superstitions keep it balanced. It would make a great book club book.
– Jennifer R., Salt Lake City, Utah
