Customer Reviews

The Coffin Quilt: The Feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is another great book by Ann Rinaldi. In telling the story of the Hatfield-McCoy feud, she uses the voice of Fanny McCoy, the youngest of the McCoy children, whose entire childhood was taken up by and destroyed by the feud. When she was born in 1873, tensions were already high, and renewed over a theft when Fanny was five. Two years later, when Fanny's favorite sister, Roseanna, has an affair with a Hatfield, tensions explode. Over the next ten years, Fanny loses numerous family members to the feud - a sister, several brothers, nearly her mother, who barely survives, Roseanna, who dies of grief - and she loses all chances of a happy and normal childhood as she alternatley mourns her family and fumes with anger. More than just a story of this famous feud, THE COFFIN QUILT was also a portrait of a young girl who tries to rise about the hatred and violence she is surrounded by as she grows up.

The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi is a fictional story based on the historic Hatfield and McCoy feud that occurred near the Kentucky-West Virginia border. Told from the eyes of Fanny McCoy, the youngest of 14 children, this captivating novel tells how the feud, which has been rankling since the Civil War, suddenly explodes into a maelstrom of hatred and violence when Roseanna McCoy elopes with handsome Johnse Hatfield in 1880. Although Roseanna is soon returned to her family, bringing with her an unfinished coffin-decorated quilt and an unborn baby, the damage has already been done and the feud slowly escalates until one terrible night of killing. Rinaldi is adept in her storytelling, providing vivid details and homespun language to accompany her Romeo and Juliet styled story. Although the novel is a tad morbid and slightly difficult to follow with its large cast of characters and tendency to jump around, it still makes an enjoyable read that historical fiction fans will love.

I live in the hills of West Virginia- not very far from where this story is set. When I was younger- I guess in about the 7th grade, we had WV history, which I tried not to pay any attention to as much as possible. Our class did learn about the Hatfields and McCoys, and I wish now that I had paid closer attention. Mostly because I really missed out on a good story- that I never really got a handle on until my own daughter brought home the coffin quilt book for a book report. After she read it, I decided to read it also. Such a good idea! I loved the book so much that I had to buy it for one of my friends to read. She loved it also. This book touched my heart, and I really felt for all of the characters at one point or another in the story. Its a really good read that I would recommend to anyone interested in the Hatfields and McCoys story.

I read this book for a class assignment. I never read an Ann Rinaldi book before but now I am a big fan. I love historical fiction and I had heard of the Hatfield and McCoy feud but never knew if it was based on fact or fiction. Ms. Rinaldi tells the story from the voice of the youngest member of the McCoy family, Fanny. Through her a tale of family loyalty and betrayal. Fanny becomes caught in a tug-of-war of loyalty to her favorite sister Roseanna who runs off with a Hatfield. Fanny loves her sister but is placed in a position between her sister and her parents. Weaving throughout tale is the story of the start of the feud between the Hatfields and McCoys, many years earlier. But no one seems to be able mend the feud and we see the breakdown of a families. I loved this book. What else I liked was how the author then gives you the actual facts and history of the Hatfield and McCoy feud. This book is a wonderful read!

I've always loved Ann Rinaldi's books, but this has to be one of her best yet. Told from the point of view of young Fanny McCoy, this novel tells the heartbreaking tale of the famous Hatfield-McCoy Feud. It was interesting hearing the feud told from the point of view of a child, especially after having viewed the 1949 movie, Roseanna McCoy (which leaves out all but four siblings of the famous McCoy daughter and was innaccurate to boot, though still good) and reading nonfiction books concerning the events. I highly recommend it to anybody who enjoys history. Fans of Rinaldi will not be disappointed.

In modern times, people don't know much if anything pertaining to the feud between the Hatfields and the Mccoys.This book contains so much information, while educating the reader on an actual, historical event. I personally could relate to Fanny McCoy while reading, being in a family of five brothers and four sisters. Fanny is the youngest in an even larger family. I would highly reccomend The Coffin Quilt. It makes the reader feel, which is the sign of a good book.

Coffin Quilt is the story of the Hatfield,McCoy fued told form the perspective of young Fanny McCoy. Ann Rinaldi is one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite of her books. Rinaldi tells it like it is, not felling the need to create a light-hearted character to lighten this deep story. Rinaldi stayed true to history and created a story you don't want to climb out of as you read through the sadness,murder and heartbreak. I would highly recommend this book to any teen interested in historical fiction. Though i would not suggest this to my little sister{age ten}, If you would prefer more light hearted historical fiction I would suggest some of Rinaldi's other books- A Ride into Morning or Finishing Becca.
Other recommended books would be- After the War~Carol Matas, Aquintance with Darkness~Ann Rinaldi,Nory Ryan's Song~ Patricia Reilly Giff.

Coffin Quilt is the story of the Hatfield,McCoy fued told form the perspective of young Fanny McCoy. Ann Rinaldi is one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite of her books. Rinaldi tells it like it is, not felling the need to create a light-hearted character to lighten this deep story. Rinaldi stayed true to history and created a story you don't want to climb out of as you read through the sadness,murder and heartbreak. I would highly recommend this book to any teen interested in historical fiction. Though i would not suggest this to my little sister{age ten}, If you would prefer more light hearted historical fiction I would suggest some of Rinaldi's other books- A Ride into Morning or Finishing Becca.
Other recommended books would be- After the War~Carol Matas, Aquintance with Darkness~Ann Rinaldi,Nory Ryan's Song~ Patricia Reilly Giff.

Coffin Quilt is the story of the Hatfield,McCoy fued told form the perspective of young Fanny McCoy. Ann Rinaldi is one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite of her books. Rinaldi tells it like it is, not felling the need to create a light-hearted character to lighten this deep story. Rinaldi stayed true to history and created a story you don't want to climb out of as you read through the sadness,murder and heartbreak. I would highly recommend this book to any teen interested in historical fiction. Though i would not suggest this to my little sister{age ten}, If you would prefer more light hearted historical fiction I would suggest some of Rinaldi's other books- A Ride into Morning or Finishing Becca.
Other recommended books would be- After the War~Carol Matas, Aquintance with Darkness~Ann Rinaldi,Nory Ryan's Song~ Patricia Reilly Giff.

The Coffin Quilt has some very interesting points and gives a glimpse of the past of two families; The McCoys and The Hatfields. This book is very exciting and educational. I would recommend this book to anyone because this book is absolutely splendid. THIS BOOK IS COOL!!!