Judith of the Cumberlands

by Alice MacGowan

"Judith of the Cumberlands" by Alice MacGowan is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set in the southern Appalachian region, focusing on Judith Barrier, a young mountain woman navigating her life and relationships within a community marked by its connection to nature and its struggles with the law and social change. At the start of the novel, the reader is introduced to Judith as she engages with the local milliner while contemplating her beauty and femininity. This moment sets the stage for her character's development as she observes a political gathering in the village square led by Creed Bonbright, a passionate young man advocating for the mountain people. The narrative swiftly shifts to a tense situation as two of Judith's cousins are arrested, prompting her to reflect on the complexities of mountain life and her budding connection with Creed. This opening establishes the themes of identity, community, and the contrasts between traditional mountain life and encroaching modernity.