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A review by mycouscous
Requiem by Fire by Wayne Caldwell
3.0
I really loved Caldwell's first novel, [b:Cataloochee|931843|Cataloochee A Novel|Wayne Caldwell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1179565516s/931843.jpg|916831], so I was excited to pick up Requiem by Fire. Both books are very similar in scope and formula, with Requiem being a continuation of the families' stories. In this second book, though, the federal government is buying out farms and homesteads in the Cataloochee area to make way for the new Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Caldwell writes in a very comforting, down-home style that uses an appropriate dialect. He is unquestionably authentic in his depictions of Cataloochee residents, mountain traditions, and the local lore. However, the sheer number of characters and plotlines overwhelmed me in this book. I had a hard time keeping people straight and didn't connect with many because their appearances were so fleeting. The McPeters pyromania side plot was the only one that didn't feel quite real, though, and just seemed to provide titillation.
Recommended for fans of local history and those who like to see the places they're familiar with depicted in fiction.
Caldwell writes in a very comforting, down-home style that uses an appropriate dialect. He is unquestionably authentic in his depictions of Cataloochee residents, mountain traditions, and the local lore. However, the sheer number of characters and plotlines overwhelmed me in this book. I had a hard time keeping people straight and didn't connect with many because their appearances were so fleeting. The McPeters pyromania side plot was the only one that didn't feel quite real, though, and just seemed to provide titillation.
Recommended for fans of local history and those who like to see the places they're familiar with depicted in fiction.