Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia [Paperback]

Sandra L. Ballard (Editor), Patricia L. Hudson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia is a landmark anthology that brings together the work of 105 Appalachian women writers, including Dorothy Allison, Harriette Simpson Arnow, Annie Dillard, Nikki Giovanni, Denise Giardina, Barbara Kingsolver, Jayne Anne Phillips, Janice Holt Giles, George Ella Lyon, Sharyn McCrumb, and Lee Smith. Editors Sandra L. Ballard and Patricia L. Hudson offer a diverse sampling of time periods and genres, established authors and emerging voices. From regional favorites to national bestsellers, this unprecedented gathering of Appalachian voices displays the remarkable talent of the region's women writers who've made their mark at home and across the globe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The 105 writers in this anthology "have been relegated to the fringes of the American literary community, largely because their 'place'-Appalachia-continues to be viewed as outside the American mainstream," contend Ballard and Hudson in their introduction to this collection of writing by women from the Appalachian Mountains. Of course, not all Appalachian women writers are on the "fringes" of the literary community (Barbara Kingsolver, Dorothy Allison and Annie Dillard). But many, such as North Carolina ballad singer Sheila Kay Adams and Kentucky short story writer Lucy Furman, are relatively obscure. The editors wisely incorporate a mix of both famous and unfamiliar authors to present an impressive and stirring display of (mostly) contemporary writings by women whose "identities have been marked by life" in Appalachia. The subjects covered include nature, motherhood, poverty and sexuality. A brief biography introduces each contributor, making this a particularly helpful reference work.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

Contributors:

Sheila Kay Adams
Dorothy Allison
Lisa Alther
Maggie Anderson
Anne W. Armstrong
Harriette Simpson Arnow
Sylvia Trent Auxier
Marilou Awiakta
Artie Ann Bates
Frances Courtenay Baylor
Sue Ellen Bridgers
Florence Cope Bush
Kathryn Stripling Byer
Candie Carawan
Jo Carson
Rebecca Caudill
Lillie D. Chaffin
Loletta Clouse
Ann Cobb
Lisa Coffman
Amy Tipton Cortner
Lou V.P. Crabtree
Olive Tilford Dargan
Doris Diosa Davenport
Rebecca Harding Davis
Ann Deagon
Angelyn Debord
Annie Dillard
Hilda Downer
Muriel Miller Dressler
Will Allen Dromgoole
Wilma Dykeman
Sarah Barnwell Elliott
Sidney Saylor Farr
Nikky Finney
Lucy Furman
Denise Giardina
Janice Holt Giles
Nikki Giovanni
Gail Godwin
Connie Jordan Green
Virginia Hamilton
Pauletta Hansel
Corra Harris
Mildred Haun
Ellesa Clay High
Mary Bozeman Hodges
Gloria Houston
Lee Howard
Mary Johnston
Mary "Mother" Jones
Jane Wilson Joyce
May Justus
Edith Summers Kelley
Leatha Kendrick
Barbara Kingsolver
Lisa Koger
Catherine Landis
Lily May Ledford
Grace Lumpkin
George Ella Lyon
Linda Parsons Marion
Catherine Marshall
Belinda Ann Mason
Kathy May
Truda Williams McCoy
Sharyn McCrumb
Jeanne McDonald
Karen Salyer McElmurray
Llewellyn McKernan
Irene McKinney
Louise McNeill
Jane Merchant
Emma Bell Miles
Heather Ross Miller
Janice Townley Moore
Marijo Moore
Mary Noailles Murfree
Elaine Fowler Palencia
Jayne Anne Phillips
Lynn Powell
Barbara Presnell
Rita Sims Quillen
Jean Ritchie
Elizabeth Madox Roberts
Anne Newport Royall
Cynthia Rylant
Bettie Sellers
Mary Lee Settle
Anne Shelby
Muriel Earley Sheppard
Betsy Sholl
Ellen Harvey Showell
Bennie Lee Sinclair
Verna Mae Slone
Barbara Smith
Effie Waller Smith
Lee Smith
Jane Stuart
Adriana Trigiani
Dana Wildsmith
Sylvia Wilkinson
Meredith Sue Willis
Leigh Allison Wilson
Mary Elizabeth Witherspoon --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 712 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky; New edition edition (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813190665
• ISBN-13: 978-0813190662
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #918,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Salley a writer in Hartwell, November 17, 2003

By 

Salley McInerney (hartwell, georgia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia (Hardcover)

I discovered "Listen Here" while browsing with girlfriends in a bookstore in Spruce Pine, N.C. this past weekend. I was completely charmed by the book's contents. So much so, that while I and my four friends ran errands around town,I read selections from the book from the backseat of the car. We laughed and cried over the things I read, identifying so well with the stories, feelings and images of women's everyday lives which are so eloquently depicted in "Listen Here." This is a wonderful addition to any library of fine, deeply-felt writing. Men will enjoy it; women will celebrate it.
I am in the process of publishing my own book and hope that it will touch readers the way this book has touched me. Congratulations to Sandra Ballard and Patricia Hudson - you've produced a masterpiece. That's all I have to say before the season starts - a line which will make sense to you if you read "Listen Here."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Appalachia, March 16, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia (Hardcover)

If you have an interest in Appalachian cultre, history, literature, or women this is a must. I discovered this book while doing research on female Appalachian writers (a genre largely ignore by the literary communiy). These writers will touch your heart, bring a tear to your eye, bring a smile and make you laugh out loud. The best collection of Appalachian writing I have had the good fortune to come across. A wonderful way to experience Appalahia if you are a stranger to the culture, an even better way to remember it if you've left the area, and finally a wonderful stroll down memory lane if you are living it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, January 21, 2012

By 

catmrshl - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Listen Here: Women Writing in Appalachia (Paperback)

I received this book as a gift several years ago and LOVE it! I have purchased it many times since
as a gift for others. It is always a hit. Amazon was wonderful with a quick delivery as well.