jacobsite's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 Stars
So I laid down and read this in about two and a half hours, and I was hooked from page one. Being a local of the North Carolina Appalachians myself, a lot about this book hit close to home; the dueling descriptions of the natural atmosphere of the Appalachians mixed with the drug epidemic that runs wild through the region paints a fairly accurate if not slightly dramatized picture of the region. And the story itself isn't too unique: retiring sheriff has to solve one last big case. But once you delve deeper, Rash does a hell of a job giving this trope a unique spin and making this something special. The writing itself is very descriptive and easy to follow, and the dueling POVs between Les and Becky add a nice touch to how the story is presented. Above the Waterfall isn't without it's faults, although they are pretty slight. I do wish Les' and Becky's backstories and their respective relationship had been fleshed out a bit more. But otherwise, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm really excited to delve even more into Ron Rash and his novels.
So I laid down and read this in about two and a half hours, and I was hooked from page one. Being a local of the North Carolina Appalachians myself, a lot about this book hit close to home; the dueling descriptions of the natural atmosphere of the Appalachians mixed with the drug epidemic that runs wild through the region paints a fairly accurate if not slightly dramatized picture of the region. And the story itself isn't too unique: retiring sheriff has to solve one last big case. But once you delve deeper, Rash does a hell of a job giving this trope a unique spin and making this something special. The writing itself is very descriptive and easy to follow, and the dueling POVs between Les and Becky add a nice touch to how the story is presented. Above the Waterfall isn't without it's faults, although they are pretty slight. I do wish Les' and Becky's backstories and their respective relationship had been fleshed out a bit more. But otherwise, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm really excited to delve even more into Ron Rash and his novels.
dave37's review against another edition
5.0
Easy five star for me. Brilliant prose, quick-witted dialogue, and characters I rooted for despite their moral (human) failings.
textpublishing's review against another edition
5.0
It's an exciting day to be a Ron Rash fan!
If you'd like a preview, Text has provided a few pages to give you a taste of this remarkable new novel from 'one of the great American authors at work today.' (New York Times)
‘Rash’s widely celebrated style lends his Southern Gothic–tinged books a suppleness that verges on prose poetry and, in the case of his new novel, elevates a small-town noir story.’ Publishers Weekly
‘Superb…Rash is an enormously gifted storyteller, who knows exactly how to keep the dramatic tension in his fiction…He’s one of the few writers at work today with the insight, the talent and the vision to show us how sometimes, for all our sorry shortcomings, we’re able to achieve a certain redemption through our capacity for kindness and decency.’ Washington Post
If you'd like a preview, Text has provided a few pages to give you a taste of this remarkable new novel from 'one of the great American authors at work today.' (New York Times)
‘Rash’s widely celebrated style lends his Southern Gothic–tinged books a suppleness that verges on prose poetry and, in the case of his new novel, elevates a small-town noir story.’ Publishers Weekly
‘Superb…Rash is an enormously gifted storyteller, who knows exactly how to keep the dramatic tension in his fiction…He’s one of the few writers at work today with the insight, the talent and the vision to show us how sometimes, for all our sorry shortcomings, we’re able to achieve a certain redemption through our capacity for kindness and decency.’ Washington Post
susieq17's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely, poetic prose with excellent descriptions of nature and a good feel for current life in the Appalachian country. The characters are interesting but the plot is a bit predictable.
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended by Lindsay.
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sabove%20the%20waterfall%20rash__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sabove%20the%20waterfall%20rash__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
sb1119's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
katmackie's review against another edition
4.0
There are some authors that just click with you, and I'm beginning to see that this will be the case with Ron Rash. As someone who reads across many genres and subject matters, sometimes it takes a book that incorporates a few unexpected literary elements to get you excited. Above the Waterfall is one of those books.
My first experience with Ron Rash was [b: Serena|2815590|Serena|Ron Rash|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347430224s/2815590.jpg|2841515], a book I adored. And while Above the Waterfall has the ingredients to appropriately categorize it as southern noir, it's much more soft spoken. Ron Rash has a sense of place like no other - his juxtaposition of nature with human influence is stunning. He's able to capture dreamy landscapes with quiet observations that still have bite. This is his strength, but his characters are just as nuanced. It's a story as much about the land as about the people occupying it. The opposition between those still aware of the beauty around them, and those ruining it without thought.
A detective about to retire, a park ranger/poet, a widowed elderly local, a meth addict and more, live in a small Appalachian town. When a trout stream is poisoned, a mystery develops. The contrast between each person and the natural elements around them is powerful and dark. But yet the book doesn't have the sharp edges that many in the same genre sport. It respects the time and history of everyone, and everything, that has managed to take root and coexist. Because of this, the story doesn't carry the stress you would expect. the language buffers the darkness while the plot stays clear and defined.
But don't let my review invite expectations of something sleepy. This book was a page turner for me, I read it in two sittings. It has the exciting elements to keep you interested, along with the grey areas and questionable morals that make it a puzzle worth attempting.
Beyond just being a mystery, the book reads as a poem, a meditation, an apology, and a thank you to the natural world. I highly recommend it.
My first experience with Ron Rash was [b: Serena|2815590|Serena|Ron Rash|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347430224s/2815590.jpg|2841515], a book I adored. And while Above the Waterfall has the ingredients to appropriately categorize it as southern noir, it's much more soft spoken. Ron Rash has a sense of place like no other - his juxtaposition of nature with human influence is stunning. He's able to capture dreamy landscapes with quiet observations that still have bite. This is his strength, but his characters are just as nuanced. It's a story as much about the land as about the people occupying it. The opposition between those still aware of the beauty around them, and those ruining it without thought.
A detective about to retire, a park ranger/poet, a widowed elderly local, a meth addict and more, live in a small Appalachian town. When a trout stream is poisoned, a mystery develops. The contrast between each person and the natural elements around them is powerful and dark. But yet the book doesn't have the sharp edges that many in the same genre sport. It respects the time and history of everyone, and everything, that has managed to take root and coexist. Because of this, the story doesn't carry the stress you would expect. the language buffers the darkness while the plot stays clear and defined.
But don't let my review invite expectations of something sleepy. This book was a page turner for me, I read it in two sittings. It has the exciting elements to keep you interested, along with the grey areas and questionable morals that make it a puzzle worth attempting.
Beyond just being a mystery, the book reads as a poem, a meditation, an apology, and a thank you to the natural world. I highly recommend it.
ljjohnson8's review against another edition
3.0
A small, slight book but that's not a complaint; sometimes a well-made snack is more satisfying than a meal. Les and Becky are two damaged people working together and towards each other through the horrors of meth addiction in their small town, but surrounded by incredible natural beauty. Recommended.
chefpatty's review against another edition
4.0
Set in NC
A small NC community's sheriff is close to retirement but has one final crime to investigate. One person appears to be the culprit but as the investigation proceeds, others are also suspects. A good story.
A small NC community's sheriff is close to retirement but has one final crime to investigate. One person appears to be the culprit but as the investigation proceeds, others are also suspects. A good story.
bundy23's review against another edition
3.0
Clichéd and melodramatic BUT it's short and easy to get through and the story was interesting enough that it never really got boring. A near perfect example of a 2.5 star book.