On Agate Hill
By Lee Smith
384 pages
Copyright 2006
An interesting look at life after the Civil War in the southern state. Smith begins with the premise that a graduate student has come across an old journal and other historic papers relating to Molly Petree. Then the reader sees the journal.
Molly, a young orphan, is being cared for at her uncle's plantation. She keeps a journal, and this is what we read. His fortunes change with the war, and then his health fails. Molly has a benefactor, an old flame of her mother's, who sends her off to a girl's school in Virginia.
The story picks up with letters from one of her teachers, and then ends with Molly's journal.
Interesting reading, particularly if you like historical fiction.
4 stars
I do like historical fiction, so will make note of this book. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. I picked up The Last Girls by Lee Smith a couple of weeks ago, but it rambles a bit too much for my taste. I'll have to try On Agate Hill. The stack of books by my bed keeps growing - good thing it's summer time!
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