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Lee Smith

The Devil's Dream Paperback – March 1, 2011

by Lee Smith (Author)

44 ratings

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Now back in print from the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Girls.

It was in 1833 or '34 that Moses Bailey brought young Kate Malone down to Cold Spring Holler to be his wife. But Moses, wanting to become a preacher like his daddy was, left Kate time and again to look after the kids while he went out in search of a sign from God. Though he warned them about the evils of playing the fiddle, a kind of music he likened to the devil's own laughter, it passed the time for his bride and children, and soon became not just a way of life for the Baileys, but a curse that would last for generations.

Print length

384 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Berkley
Publication date

March 1, 2011
Dimensions

5.19 x 1.03 x 7.68 inches
ISBN-10

0425239713
ISBN-13

978-0425239711
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lee Smith was born in Grundy, VA. She is author of many novels, including the New York Times bestseller The Last Girls, and most recently Guests On Earth. She is a recipient of the Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the North Carolina Award for Literature, and a Southern Book Critics Circle Award.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley; Reissue edition (March 1, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0425239713
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0425239711
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.1 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.19 x 1.03 x 7.68 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #906,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,181 in Deals in Books
- #5,619 in Coming of Age Fantasy (Books)
- #12,337 in Family Saga Fiction

Customer Reviews:
44 ratings

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Customer reviews

5 star		64%
4 star		14%
3 star		16%
2 star		3%
1 star		3%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Dan

Surprisingly good.

Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2013

Verified Purchase

I was forced to purchase this book for a college course. I had zero expectations as the course was a music history course (it's a gen ed class, don't judge), but it was actually a very well written book. The stories were engaging and very interesting, and I remember most of the book today even though it was two years ago when I took the course.

The story follows families through many generations and the common factor is music, whether it's love for music or in some cases, hate of music. The violin was the devils instrument, etc etc.

A good read, although if you don't have to read it and you're not a music lover, I'd pass.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Very confusing

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2016

Verified Purchase

Lee Smith is a great storyteller. This book was no exception. Set in the South from the Depression era, through generations to more modern times, the story is told through various members of the Bailey family and others related or who are connected somehow. My biggest criticism is with the narrators changing almost every chapter, and so many of the characters having similar names, I found it impossible to remember who they were. Plus, stories about one person's life could be mentioned through various narrators through a brief mention, and by then I could not remember how they figured into the family.

2 people found this helpful

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Bibsisis

Devil's Dream is devilishly lacking in authenticity

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2011

Verified Purchase

Being a fan of Lee Smith, I looked forward to reading The Devil's Dream, and I'm sad to say, I was disappointed. Although Smith is a southerner, the dialect in early chapters is hardly readable and not true to the original dialect. A southerner myself, I know the dialect, and characters would not say what Smith has them saying--it's a mixture of older and more modern dialect, and a reader not from The South would have no understanding of the words or be able to put them into coherence. I was simply uninterested in conversations in the early chapters of the book. The attempt at recreating the southern, Appalachian (pronounced Appa-latch-chun)dialect is inconsistent at best and unintelligible to non-Appalachian readers. I've loved her other books, but I had to relegate this one to my Kindle saved books halfway through. Maybe I'll get through it later. Sorry, Lee.

Addendum Jan. 25, 2013
I misjudged this book; I must've been in a bad mood, but I'm perhaps too attuned to dialect. It WAS a good story if one doesn't know the dialect; pardon me for being a purist.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ruth Y. Barton

Fantastic character development...

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2019

Verified Purchase

Having grown up in southern mountain country, I found that the language, attitude and culture of the characters and their communities ring true. The triumphs and failures of the human spirit make Lee Smith's characters catch your attention and hold it through their many trials and tribulations. Thank goodness for the family tree for reference through the generations!

One person found this helpful

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Bonniebelle

Fiddling essential to life itself

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2014

Verified Purchase

In addition to Lee Smith's usual mastery of language and story, The Devil's Dream collects mountain ballads and music never heard before, as well as composing some herself which seem integral to the characters.
The switch in voices to tell the intricate story of a family and their kin weaves a tapestry of poor in things, but rich in relationship mountain people.
This book is a must read for followers of Lee Smith and those who love mountain culture of the U.S.

2 people found this helpful

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MRC

Poor white trash get famous

Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2014

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book, but it's still poor white trash who can sing. So glad they had the family tree on the inside cover or I never would have been able to keep everyone straight. Sometimes the local slang got a bit much. 'Hit' for 'it'.

2 people found this helpful

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TNMan38

Highest recommendation

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2014

Verified Purchase

Excellent story...so well told and the line-up of characters and their distinctive voices make this one of those books that you seriously can't put down and you don't want it to end. Lee Smith knows her locations and people. This was my first Lee Smith novel to read and I'm ready to start my second. I highly recommend this book.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

M. Adkins

An homage to country music.

Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2018

Verified Purchase

One of my favorite Lee Smith novels, and I have read them all.

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