Italy meets Appalachia . . . Gotta Love It!!!

There's nothing more country than mountain folk, and Big Stone Gap is all that and more. When thirty-five year old, Ava Maria, the town pharmacist, who's considered an old maid by mountain folk standards, loses her mother, her world goes into a tail spin. Everything she thought she knew changes. She's always known her mother was Italian, but when she finds a picture and letters in her mother's room, she's in shock. She doesn't even know herself anymore. I absolutely love this story . . . being a hillbilly myself and having married very young (still married 42 years later), I can easily relate to all the "goings on". The narration is spot on. I've already downloaded the next two books in the series.Can't wait to start the next one . . .

14 people found this helpful

Laughs, Tears & a Place I'd Like to call Home

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. I would for my friends who love peaceful journeys, who enjoy meadering down the path to see what each day brings. This book was a pleasure.

What other book might you compare Big Stone Gap to and why?

Jan Karon's Mitford Series. They are similar in they are about small town life, the characters who live, love, laugh, and pass into and out of your life. These are the type of books that refuel me.

Which scene was your favorite?

One that made me laugh outloud was the scene at the football games Halftime activies in front of the visiting dignitaries Elizabeth Taylor and her husband, Senate hopeful, John Warner.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, and I leave that to the reader/listener to decide for themselves. I don't want to give anything away.

Any additional comments?

Yes, I was very concerned with the author being the narrator. In most cases I have found that doesn't work, but I wanted this book quite a lot so I gave in. Adriana Trigiani has won me over. She is perfect for the part. She IS the book. In fact, I was so please with this book & narrator I imediately purchased the next two in the series. I would have purchased the 4th but I ran out of credits.Thank you Adriana Trigiani for an absolutely delightful stroll through Big Stone Gap, a place I'd love to live.

11 people found this helpful

Fabulous! But don't listen to the author talk at the end!

I loved this book and was so looking forward to listening to all 3. I'm disappointed that the author talked about the next two books and told me what was going to happen. Of course, I'm still going to listen, but I'm now unsure of listening to the second story.

6 people found this helpful

spoiler alert! don't listen to the author discusio

I enjoyed this book and look foward to the next. BUT was very disappointed in finding something out in the authors discusion about what goes on in book 2. BOO. There should be a spoiler alert at the intro to the final chapter!!

6 people found this helpful

Small town, simple life and lovely story.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are in the mood for a mellow read this is a great book for you.

Any additional comments?

Admittedly I am a little biased about this book. My parents are from BSG and reading this one brings back childhood memories at the grandparent's house. It really is a lovely read. Not as outright gripping as some but I looked forward to every word. highly recommend!

4 people found this helpful

I normally hate books read by the author but...

What did you love best about Big Stone Gap?

I loved Ave Maria. Her inner monologue really spoke to me. Thinking about every crazy thing that could happen? Yep, that's me.

What about Adriana Trigiani’s performance did you like?

I normally really dislike books read by the author, but Adriana Trigiani did an excellent job with this one! The Appalachian in Ave Maria's character really shined through. I loved it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! I wore head phones around my house for two days just so I could finish it!

3 people found this helpful

Fun & Funny Story About Small Town Life

If you could sum up Big Stone Gap in three words, what would they be?

Light Funny Fun

What was one of the most memorable moments of Big Stone Gap?

The night Elizabeth Taylor came to town.

Would you be willing to try another one of Adriana Trigiani’s performances?

Yes, because of the story and characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Come On Down For A Visit

Any additional comments?

The Narration was too slow and deliberate .
Authors seldom make good readers.

3 people found this helpful

The first in a wonderful trilogy.

Ave Maria Mulligan lived in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Big Stone, Virginia. She had just lost her mother and had inherited a pharmacy business. She became a pharmacist and ran the store. She also inherited her mother’s house. She also got from her lawyer a copy of a letter which her mother left for her to read after her mother’s death. This letter indicated that she was not the daughter of Fred Mulligan, but of a man her mother had known in Italy before she came to America. The lawyer’s wife/secretary was a big gossip and let it be known all over town that Ave Maria was “a bastard.” This raised her ire, and she began to fight for her own rights rather than just please everyone else. In record time, she received two marriage proposals, and hosted visitors from Italy. This is really a feel-good novel. The author is the best narrator one could have found for these books, a trilogy of which this is the first. You think you’re just having a conversation with Ave Maria in your living room. I’m going right on to the next book.

2 people found this helpful

Why?

Would you listen to Big Stone Gap again? Why?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

The love story.

Which scene was your favorite?

When she was waiting on the porch and he got home.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Pretty much

Any additional comments?

Why would you add an interview at the end of this book that reveals the twists of the next? That was such a bummer.

1 person found this helpful

Trigiani has better

I've really enjoyed many of Trigiani's books but this one didn't really capture me like others have. Normally, I think I would like an author reading their own book but I just couldn't fit Trigiani's voice with the 30-something character she described. In general I found Ave Maria to be rather annoying, always trying to figure out what the other characters were really thinking rather than taking anything at face value. I just wanted to tell her to grow up. I didn't find any of the male characters very compelling or interesting; everyone is a foil for Ave Maria and her insecurities. I may or may not try another in the series as I usually enjoy Trigiani's work. Maybe this one was written before she honed her craft?

1 person found this helpful