Secret Wisdom of the Earth

I am always amazed when I find a debut novel that is this amazing. Beautifully written, wonderful dialogue and well defined human characters with all their facets showing. The several storylines allow for great development within the characters. Each one comes slowly into focus which is pretty much what happens in life. I like how it is all woven together. The devastating thing that happened to Kevin’s family which brought Kevin and his Mom to this rather hard scrabble mining/farming community of Medgar, Kentucky. For his mother, returning to her roots and her father. For Kevin, it allowed his Grandfather to slowly bind the wounds that his little brother’s death had torn into his existence. The horror and feeling of fault that his own father had saddled him with needed his “Pops”quiet wisdom and attention. Meeting another 14 year old of a totally different background but full of mountain lore gave him his first strong friend and started them both on a path of “coming of age” in a rather red necked, hill billy mountain town which had its good points and scary ones too. Lay this against the back ground of miners who are trying to survive as the mines have been emptied of coal and now total Mountaintop Removal is allowing them to work once more but it is devastating to them and to the pristine environment. There is a fight brewing between those that want to stop the strip mining and huge dangerous slurry ponds and those that see dollar signs only. Then for a bit of flavor, add in two men, one a son of Medgar and one a fellow he meets needing help along the road, who have a very different lifestyle and shake. Pretty much all hell breaks lose eventually. The amount of detail of this incredible country and its inhabitants boggles my mind. There is just so much emotion invoked for all the characters. I hurt for Tilroy , a youth about the same age as Kevin and his best bud, Buzzy but raised with hard hand. So torn trying to fit the mold of his family but a boy with a secret that could get him thrown out of the only home he knows. What happens to set him on a perilous journey toward his possible death is one of the background narratives until it bursts its seams and becomes “the” story. I bought this for my Kindle but I think too much of it to leave it at that. I will need to have a hard copy to keep on my shelf and pass around to friends who will enjoy it as much as I have I am sure. Don’t miss this experience of a great book.

The Secret Wisdom of Earth by Christopher Scotton This is a “coming of age” book. The principle character is 14 year old Kevin Gilloly, whose life has taken a terribly course following the sudden and horrific death of his 3 year old brother, Josh. Understandably, the family is devastated, but the trauma is not shared, but separate and divisive. Kevin’s mother, Anna ("Annie”), becomes totally withdrawn, non-functioning and almost catatonic. His father, Edward, is instead angry, with much if it directed to Kevin, who he blames for the accident that killed young Josh. Kevin can’t approach his father for fear of retribution, nor his mother, who is unresponsive. He is thus left to deal with this tragedy largely alone. The family decides that perhaps there is some chance for healing if Kevin and his mother go to Medgar, Kentucky and stay the summer with her father, Arthur Peebles, affectionately known as “Pops”. The family arrives in June. Edward quickly returns to his job in nearby Indiana, and Annie and Kevin settle in and seek peace. Annie remains withdrawn, but Kevin finds in Pops the kindly grandfather that every boy would cherish. Of course Pops now not only fills that role, but must also replace both Kevin’s parents, at least for a time. Pops is a veterinarian in this small rural mining town, a town that has seen much better days. There is still mining that employs many workers, but not in the numbers as before. Also, the underground mining that once dominated the business has given way to above ground methods. Tops are literally blown off mountains and coal conveniently extracted without the bother of tunnels, rail cars, etc. This “convenience” is destroying the environment, the spiritual lifeblood of this small community. Kevin, not versed in the outdoor skills shared by most in this setting, discovers much about the surrounding hills and forests, his family, and himself. He never had close friends in Indiana, but quickly meets Buzz Fink, a boy his own age who has grown up in the town. He has all the skills, resourcefulness and sense of outdoor adventure that Kevin lacks. Despite their obvious differences, they strike up a strong and comfortable friendship. As they explore the countryside together, Kevin at times seems ready to leave some of his pain behind. Pops does much to try to comfort him, showing a great wisdom that the author skillfully expresses. Indeed, I feel that the description of Pops, the words he is given, and the thoughts he recalls are a wonderful part of the book. Much of the description is elegant. Pops begins to take Kevin on his veterinarian rounds, making him an “assistant” and letting him play an active role in many procedures. At home, Kevin also sits on the porch in the evening while Pops talks with old friends and sips his sour mash. The simple wisdom that flows from these men is taken in by Kevin, and not only helps his healing, but his general growth. Buzz supplies wonderful company his own age, taking Kevin on adventures he would have never imagined a few weeks earlier. This idyllic setting has its villains. The principle protagonist is“Bubba” Boyd, the mine owner whose only goal is to buy as many mountains as he can, level them, and extract both coal and money. And, although most of the other residents are what might be called “kind and simple folk”, one family, the Budgets, is different– unkind and almost unfeeling. I think that the author paints too extreme a picture of these characters, making them caricatures instead. He might want to make the “good and bad” contrast quite stark, but it detracted, at least for me, from the more accommodating treatment of the other subjects. Kevin meets a kind man, Paul Pierce, who runs a hair salon in this tiny town. He is gay, as everyone knows, but doesn’t acknowledge. He admits his preference at a large town meeting and the public utterance of this known fact suddenly makes it unpardonable. The uproar grows, threats are made, Paul is brutally murdered and Kevin must face another harsh reality. Buzz discovers the body, and also evidence implicating some of the locals. Both boys are unable to easily cope with the event or what to do next. Pops is certain (correctly), that things will settle out, and takes them both on a “tramp”, a long hiking and camping trip into the backwoods. They will walk over 20 miles to reach a remote and pristine lake, where they will stay for a time. They only take enough food for the hike in, and then plan to “live off the land”– catching fish, snaring small game, and gathering roots, berries, etc. The hike in is extremely difficult and both boys feel the thrill of accomplishment that comes from overcoming a great physical challenge. On the way in they witness the detritus from the scarred mountains, and the ugly pools of slurry that are left behind. It is in stark contrast to the lake, which is all that Pops said it would be- beautiful, full of fish, and surrounded by small game. I felt that this “tramp” could be a lovely and fitting climax to this “coming of age” saga. But the author chooses to inject danger and malevolence into this otherwise peaceful setting. The book become more like “Deliverance” than “Stand by Me”. Suffice it to say that all three must make a desperate trek back over 20 miles of wilderness to escape a pursuer. The resourcefulness, bravery and stamina of the boys, and of Pops, taxes the author’s credibility. This “passage” becomes not a transformation from boys to young men, but boys to super heroes. Up to then the author may have pushed the limit of believeability at times, but the narrative held together, strengthened by what I found to be a lovely writing style. Before the “tramp” I thought I might be reading a very special work of fiction. But it turned into a fantasy. The ending came back to a fathomable reality and I generally enjoyed the book a great deal. It had some very tender moments when Pops discusses his late wife–a wonderful love story played out in memories. There are other interesting characters that were well developed. I loved much of the language and wording. I just wanted the book to be great, and it fell short.

Every once in awhile a book comes along that is a major distraction to life; a book so powerful and so good that you can’t pull yourself away from its grip until the last line has been read. I’m not talking about just a good, engrossing book, but rather a book that you know will stick with you not only days and weeks to come, but for years. THE SECRET WISDOM OF THE EARTH is the latest book to do this to me. 14 year old Kevin Gillooly and his mother Annie decide to spend the summer with Annie’s father, Arthur ‘Pops’ Pebbles, at his quiet home, deep in the Appalachian mountains of Eastern Kentucky after a tragic accident took the life of Kevin’s younger brother 2 months prior.. Annie is a mental wreck and Kevin is riddled with guilt as they arrive, but soon Kevin befriends a local kid by the name Buzzy Fink, who teaches him the way of the woods and opens a whole new life of nature to Kevin. Medger is a mining town that is in the throes of a tug of war between those who are selling out the mountains and their land to the greedy mining honcho Bubba Boyd, and those who aim to preserve their way of life. Also, the gossipy small town is up in arms over the revelation that a life long resident is gay, and how to deal with such a thing. As the summer progresses, Kevin and Buzzy’s bond continues to grow as the tension in the town reaches a murderous fever pitch! This is Christopher Scotten’s first novel and I’m just going to say it; this might just be the BEST debut novel I have ever read! The writing, descriptions, pace and characters are all superb and far beyond what someone should be putting out for their first crack at a novel. I really hate to overhype anything because things tend to never live up to the praise, but I can’t help myself here: I…LOVED…THIS…BOOK! It’s a coming-of-age story about a boy becoming a man right before your very eyes and an observation of small town life and their often reluctant feelings towards change. The characters are so well fleshed out, deep and jump off the page at you and tug at your heart, especially the lovable and wise Pops. I didn’t want this story to end; I want to live with these characters in the fictional town of Medger on 22 Chisold st. a little longer, but even though the story had to end, it is definitely one that I will revisit, sometime down the road. Kevin and Buzzy reminded me a lot of the relationship that Gordie LaChance and Chris Chambers had in the classic film STAND BY ME. In fact, despite being very different stories, there are a lot of similarities in the feel and relatability of that film, throughout this book. Although this was just released last month, how this book is not a best seller yet, is beyond me. I'm going to make a bold statement and say that this is a new classic; a book that whether it finds the audience it deserves now, or 10 years down the road, will be remembered and cherished by generations to come. This is undoubtedly the book to beat this year and I give it a glowing 5/5!

I loved this book! The people and places were alive as I read. The feeling of nostalgia moved me, though I was never there.

One of my favorite literary characters of all time is Gus from Lonesome Dove. Halfway through "The Secret Wisdom of the Earth" I realized Pops (the narrator Kevin's grandfather) reminded me a lot of Gus. I loved him and I cared for him which is why I stuck with this novel even when it went a little off the tracks for me in the second act. Kevin is a 14 year old who travels from Indiana to the backwoods of Kentucky to spend a summer with his grandfather after the horrific death of his younger brother. The tragedy has torn the family apart, making Kevin's father blame him for the death and nearly comatosing his mother. Kevin meets and befriends a local boy named Buzzy. Their friendship is almost as endearing at Kevin's relationship with his Pops. These interactions (between Kevin and Pops) were by far my favorite parts of this book as Pops doles out great advice ("Son, the more people I meet, the less good I get at labeling them. That’s a wisdom I hope you acquire.”) and some good humor (when Kevin asks “Is mule meat any good?” Pops replies: “Let’s hope we never have to find out.”). First time author Christopher Scotton delivers a crisply told story even when it ambles off the path a bit. His writing is urgent as he utilizes a clever technique of turning nouns into verbs (he "pulled himself half out of the water, then jungle- gymmed to the far bank") and unique visuals as descriptions ("the old wipers on Pops’ truck leaving a frowning streak of water on every cycle.") If there is a criticism to be made for this book it's that it attempts too many things. Part coming of age, part save the earth, part anti-violence, "The Secret Wisdom" sometimes feels like its goals are bigger than it they need to be. Because this book truly shines when its focus is smaller: Kevin chatting with his Pops or Kevin and Buzzy hanging out in the tree house on a lazy summer day. I downloaded the first four chapters of this book for free from Amazon. I thought this was a great deal especially for a first time novelist attempting to build an audience. Before I was done with the 3rd chapter I'd bought the whole book. If that offer still exists and you're looking for a good quality read I'd suggest you download the free chapters and see if the story, and Scotton's writing doesn't grab you like it grabbed me.

Many books are exciting, or full of wonderful writing, descriptive and even impressive. This book is at times exciting, at times masterfully descriptive, heart breaking, gut wrenching, and more than ever touching, thoughtful and wonderful. It starts slow, like life does. It moves on with peaks and valleys, just like life, full of stories about people and places, situations and feelings--and many more things we seldom take enough time to think about. This book's deeper meanings and lessons are profound. It will leave you alternatively, sad and happy, proud and outraged, moved and thoughtful, and finally wondering about the path of your life, and the lives of those near and dear, and of some lost forever. The story will envelop you like a warm blanket on a cold night. I encourage you to read it slowly and thoughtfully, savoring it like fine wine. It's that good. You will be happy you did.

[3.5 stars] This book caught my attention when Ann at Books on the Table called it her favorite book of 2015 and described it as “Harper Lee meets Pat Conroy.” I can now see where that description came from, but I thought it was a bit more Harper Lee and less Pat Conroy. There is a LOT going on in this book…quirky small-town farm community goings-on (i.e. bull castration), the struggles of a single industry town, the environmental impact of the coal mines, Kevin’s coming of age, recovering from grief, prejudice (both racial and homophobia), and a “Friday Night Lights”-type football star. Whew! All that, plus the Atticus Finch-like character of Arthur Peebles (Kevin’s grandfather) who dispenses sage life advice left and right, kept me turning the pages. I found a lot of my reading sweet spots in one place with this book, which made it enjoyable, but there were a few issues that kept me from loving it like I expected. The writing was what many people would call beautiful, but it felt like it was trying too hard to be just that. And, the ending was one of those “here’s where everyone ends up decades later” wrap-ups that almost feels like high school yearbook senior predictions. But, I do think fans of Southern fiction and coming of age stories will enjoy this one and it was the book that finally stuck for me after two DNFs in one week! Check out my blog, Sarah's Book Shelves, for more reviews.

I was interested in reading this since I'm a fan of the show "Justified". Instead of the story set in rural Kentucky, this one takes place in a coal mining town in the Appalachian mountains. The author describes the scenery, the town and the townspeople so clearly, I was immediately drawn in by all of the characters. This is a timely story even by today's standards even tho it starts off in the 1950's. The author paints such distinct characters and relationships and laces them around and thru the politics of coal mining, mountain top removal, and poverty. An amazing work of art and a book I can't recommend enough - I will carry these characters with me for a very long time.

Brilliant

Excellent read! Well written and different what I would normally read but a very interesting story.

I loved this book . Sorry it had to end and time moved on. what a phenomenal story teller and character writer

I think this book would appeal to a middle school - grades 6 - 8, audience. As an adult book, it is boring and predictable. The combo of a teen super-boy with his extremely wise grandfather - Superman meets Jedi - is a "cautionary tale" that early teens could learn from, perhaps??? It was a choice for our book club, and I almost did not read it, as it is so ho-hum. I do not like the treatment of the extreme trauma experienced by the family. It implies a relatively simple healing process, which certainly is not the case for many people, especially children.