Daughter of the Legend [Hardcover]

Jesse Stuart (Author), John H. Spurlock (Editor), Jim Marsh (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1994

A regional love story set in the hills of Tennessee against a backdrop of mystery and racial misunderstanding. Dave, a young lumberjack, falls in love with Deutsia, a Melungeon girl. Her people are shunned by the valley people and the relationship splits the lifetime friendship of Dave and his best friend, Ben. Edited and preface written by John H. Spurlock and the afterword by Brent Kennedy.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Jesse Stuart's enduring story to this idyllic love that conquered hate and fear draws strength from the calmness of the surrounding Tennessee mountains, where nature, in all her glory, heals the wounds inflicted by men. It is a rich and poignant story, full of local mountain life and humorous touches. Daughter of the Legend is a master storyteller's finest, most lyric book, a book rewarding in the reading and delightful in the memory. It touches the heart and eternity.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 242 pages
• Publisher: Jesse Stuart Foundation (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0945084420
• ISBN-13: 978-0945084426
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,168,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have been searching for this book for years and years., May 16, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Woodbridge, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Daughter of the Legend (Hardcover)

I was raised on the ridge where this book takes place. These people were always real to me, and the way Mr. Stuart describes them is as true to form as possible. I read the book when I was a little girl and then again when I was in my teens, and for the last few years I have not been able to find it. I am happy to have the opportunity to let my kids read this treasured book. My son has actually been in the play that was adapted from the book. This book has been a part of my family's history since it was written, and being from the same places as the characters, and knowing the people of this community I am proud to say that I am a raised in the hills of East Tennessee, Newman's ridge runner.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Would make a great movie..., November 14, 2004

By 

Shep Smith "shepard_smith" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Daughter of the Legend (Hardcover)

This is easily one of the most unappreciated classic books of all time. I'm not a big Jesse Stuart fan, but this story has stayed with me since childhood. I'm surprised Hollywood hasn't found it and ruined it yet.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic love story from a classic writer!, November 18, 2007

By 

Philip D. Parshall - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Daughter of the Legend (Hardcover)

It seems everything Jesse Stuart wrote was a gem! In a literary world where there is lot of throwaway writing (thin plots, shallow intents, forgettable stories), here is an author who brought Appalachia alive for the world! I am from Ohio, and as a young boy (having a mother who was an English teacher who adored Jesse Stuart), met him while he was signing some of his books at Leslie's Drug Store in Greenup, KY (which always had a display of his books). He lived right up the road in W-Hollow. I told him how I loved his books and how I wanted to be a teacher like he had been. He was delighted and discussed teaching with my mother and my future career with me. We discussed characters from his books at length. I bought "Come Gentle Spring' and he happily signed it and we were on our way back to Ohio. Since then I've read everything he's written numerous times. I recently read 'Daughter of the Legend' again and it still moves me. No one brings out the color and beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and the people who live there more than Jesse. Without Jesse Stuart, one would probably think of Appalachia as a dirty, smelly region of in breds right out of 'Deliverance'. Jesse shows the gentle, romantic and humerous side of these mountain people: the smell of fresh cornbread baking on a woodstove or the beauty of red rhododendrons blooming on the hill and the warmth and passion of a square dance after a tobacco harvest. I love Jesse Stuart's world and anytime you can get your hands on one of his works, indulge yourself and enjoy!