If the Creek Don't Rise: A Novel

1. Life in 1970 Appalachia (and fictional Baines Creek) was undeniably hard and harsh. What did the novel tell you about that historical time and place that you expected? What did you learn that surprised you?- I love history and knew that life was hard in the Appalachia for most folk. What surprised me was the inclusion of their folk magic. Even though Bridie doesn't claim to be a witch, what she did and the superstitions they had nowadays can be considered folk magic.2. Sadie Blue was the principal character in the book, with her story told in three chapters. Did you root for her from the start? What were her key moments of growth? Who were her mentors and supporters? What did they do that helped her grow a more reliable backbone?- Of course, I rooted for Sadie in the beginning. I say her critical moments of growth were helping her aunt take care of others, setting a goal of learning to read, and losing her child. Her primary mentors and supporters were Aunt Marris, Miss Kate, Pastor Eli, Bridie and in her own way, her Grandmother. Aunt Marris showed Sadie unconditional love, compassion and taught her to care for others in need. Miss Kate showed her she was special and important, as well as the fact that Sadie was capable of anything as long as she puts her mind to it. Pastor Eli started giving her confidence boost from the very start and always encouraged her. Birdie taught her about the land, medicinale herbs and how to protect herself. Her grandmother may not have been there 100% but she tried to be dispute fighting her own demons.3. In what ways were Sadie Blue and her grandmother, Gladys Hicks, and Sadie and her mother, Carly, alike? In what ways were they different?- Sadie and grandma Gladys were alike in the manner that they both married piss poor men. They both were married to men who beat them, and they both planned to kill those men. Sadie and her mother were alike towards the end when Sadie decided to find her own life. Sadie and Gladys were different in ways where it mattered most. Granny Gladys was rough, sour, and stubborn. At the same time, Sadie was sweet, mild tempered, and caring.4. Gladys and Marris were best friends. Who needed the other the most? Who gave the greatest purpose to their relationship?- Gladys needed Marris more than the other way around. Gladys needed Marris checking in on her, being a good listener and giving her unconditional love even if she couldn't admit it. Marris gave a higher purpose to their dynamic. She had her own hardships, losses, and worries. She shoulder so much responsibility taking care of all in their Hollar and still found time to sit with Gladys.5. Did you think Gladys was oblivious to her mean behavior? Why did she feel entitled to that mean behavior? How do you think she would have described herself?-She knew she was being mean. She said several times how she felt bad for being mean to Marris but that her hardships (her bitterness) out weighed being nice.She would describe herself as hard-worn. Someone delt terrible luck that she could never escape.6. Who were the most lovable or admirable characters? What made them that way? What were their strengths and weaknesses? In what ways were they important to Sadie’s salvation?- I found the most lovable characters to be Miss Kate, Birdie, Marris, Pastor Eli, Jerome, and several other minor characters. Miss Kate's greatest strength was her open mindedness, and her weakness was just being ahead of her time in politically. Birdie's greatest strength was her robustness. She was of the land, she was a watcher, a recorder of histories and she was wise. Her greatest weakness I am unsure of. Marris's greatest strength was her compassion and her vulnerability as well. Pastor Eli's greatest strength was his faith in people deserving a better life through education and his fault was his inexperience in worldly knowledge.,7. Preacher Eli Perkins never quite believed he was good enough for his job. How did that quality make you feel about him? How do you think he performed his career?- It made me feel like it humanized him. I think he did his job very well. Being a man of God goes far beyond resighting words from the Bible, the grit of it is in the deeds you do for your fellow man.8. Three characters that are hard to love are Prudence Perkins, Roy Tupkin, and Billy Barnhill. Did you find any reasons to empathize with them? What were the pivotal moments in their past that shaped their personalities? How do you think you would have fared if you were born into their families and stations of life?- I mean yeah their pasts made you feel sorry for them, but that doesn't excuse what they did, or who they chose to become. It is sad that Prudence lost both her parents young. It is frustrating that she was treated less than for being a girl. Yet she was a vindictive person from a young age and I can not feel sorry for her. She is simply a hateful and jealous person.

One of the most evocative and moving books I’ve ever read. I felt like I was living in this book, knew the characters and cared very much about them. Usually I know how far I am in the book due to my kindle telling me what percentage I’ve read, but I never even glanced at it, I was so engrossed in the story. In fact, as it ended, I was shocked and was left wanting even more. The writer is so skilled in her descriptions, both of place and people. She tells the story from a number of characters’ perceptions, but it never gets confusing, it all flows. I would love to read a sequel about this place and people. Thank you, Leah, for a fabulous story.

I wasn't familiar with this author but will be starting another book by her shortly. Her descriptions are so distinct. I would have liked to see a more crisp ending but then again, maybe more will be revealed in another book.

This book gives insight to the mountain ways of life. You'll explore the minds of various characters enduring the same misfortune. The different perspectives were interesting and oddly entertaining. This was an easy read that o found myself curious about through out the day.

Loved this story so much. Interesting all the way through and loved the character breakdown and details. Wish I knew what happened to some of the characters though since it didn’t really close the loose ends.

Good story that blooms like a Magnolia Tree. Hang on until the end. 😎 Made me want to throw down some Cornbread.

Enjoyed this book so much. I couldn’t put it down and hated for it to end.

It is a story, it is a good story. It tells us things about a world that most of us know nothing about.

From the back: "Sadie Blue has been a wife for fifteen days. That's long enough to know she never should have hitched herself to Roy Tupkin, even with the baby.Sadie is desperate to make her own mark on the world, but in remote Appalachia, a ticket out of town is hard to come by, and hope often gets stomped out. When a stranger comes up the mountain and knocks things off-kilter, Sadie finds herself with an unexpected lifeline. She'll need all the pluck and courage she can muster to figure out how to use it."Once I got used to the dialect, which didn't take long at all, I loved this story. It's told in the first person by all the main characters in the story, each getting their own chapters and some having more. It gives us a better insight into each of these people and makes the whole story come out, piece by piece.It's not a long book at less than 300 pages but it tells a big story. I had a difficult time putting it down! Also, I have to add that this is a first book for the author. Wonderful! I definitely recommend it. I can't wait for her next book.

I highly recommend this debut novel!! The author knocked this out of the park!!

This is well written and really holds your interest, ended up reading it in one day as I couldn't put it down.

Loved the characters and setting, would have like all the characters to have had their stores tied up, but left for perhaps another.Beautifully portrait of back woods America.

This was a wonderful read! in fact it the best book I've read in 2017. I would love to know more about Sadie, Kate and Birdie lives.