Subject
Tennessee -- Fiction Books
Best books
Francis Lynde
After the Manner of Men
"After the Manner of Men" by Francis Lynde is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows the journey of Vance Tregarvon, a Philadelphia native, who confronts a range of challenges as he attempts to work on the Ocoee coal mine in Tennessee. The story explores themes of class, civilization versus barbarism, and personal ambition, as well as Tregarvon's interactions with various characters, including a spirited young woman named Richardia and his wealthy friend Poictiers Carfax. At the start of the novel, Tregarvon finds himself under fire in the Tennessee mountains, experiencing a shocking initiation into the perilous nature of his new environment. Mistakenly believing he is under attack, he confronts the humorous reality of having stumbled upon a group of women practicing their shooting skills for sport. This encounter leads to the introduction of key characters, including the charismatic Richardia, as Tregarvon navigates the complexities of his new venture and the feuds that accompany it. The opening sets the stage for both personal and professional conflicts as Tregarvon grapples with the realities of the Ocoee mine, which is shrouded in a mysterious past and local hostility.
Alice MacGowan
The Wiving of Lance Cleaverage
"The Wiving of Lance Cleaverage" by Alice MacGowan is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set in the highlands of Tennessee and follows the life of Lance Cleaverage, a young man navigating courtship and social dynamics in a rural community. Central to the plot are his interactions with Callista Gentry, a young woman admired by many, and the various tensions that arise from their relationship amidst the expectations of their society. The opening of the book introduces the setting on a vibrant Sunday in the Tennessee highlands, highlighting the differences in the characters' social standings and aspirations. Lance is portrayed as a free-spirited and somewhat rebellious figure, challenging societal norms with his banjo, while Callista is depicted as a beautiful and carefully groomed girl, the subject of much male affection and competition. The chapter illustrates Lance and Callista’s playful banter, hinting at deeper feelings intertwined with the community's expectations. As characters like the Widow Griever and other townsfolk offer commentary on their youthful dynamics, the stage is set for the ensuing drama of love, rivalry, and societal pressures that will unfold throughout the novel.
Maria Thompson Daviess
The Road to Providence
"The Road to Providence" by Maria Thompson Daviess is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story centers around the life of Doctor Tom Mayberry and his mother, who is deeply engaged in the nurturing and care of both her family and their community. The narrative showcases themes of maternal strength and familial bonds, delving into the everyday life and relationships in a small town. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Doctor Mayberry and his mother, who showcase their warm, humorous dynamic while managing various domestic and community challenges. The scene opens with a humorous incident involving a hen, Spangles, causing distress, which highlights the lively interactions between the characters. As they navigate their duties, it becomes clear that Doctor Mayberry is both a healer and a devoted son, while his mother embodies wisdom and care for both her son and their neighbors. The engaging banter and vivid descriptions of their interactions set the tone for a rich exploration of life in Providence, filled with the charm and complexity of rural living.
Jerome Bixby
Our Town
"Our Town" by Jerome Bixby is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The story explores the aftermath of a devastating bombing in a small, fictional Tennessee town called Smoky Creek, where the majority of the population is killed, leaving only a group of elderly residents to remember their lives and the people they lost. The narrative addresses themes of war, loss, and the resilience of those left behind, portraying a haunting yet poignant reflection on the impact of conflict on ordinary lives. In the aftermath of the bombing, the elderly residents of Smoky Creek try to maintain some semblance of normalcy while grappling with their profound loss and isolation. They have fortified their town to look abandoned to the outside world while secretly salvaging what they can for survival. The story unfolds through conversations and reflections among the characters, revealing their collective grief and resolve to defend their home against any future threats. An enemy jet unexpectedly flies low over the town, prompting the old men to arm themselves and shoot it down, a moment of bitterness tinged with determination. Ultimately, the narrative captures the resilience and camaraderie of the survivors in a world that has forgotten them, exposing the cyclic nature of war and its destruction.
T. S. (Thomas Sigismund) Stribling
Birthright: A Novel
"Birthright: A Novel" by T. S. Stribling is a work of fiction written during the early 20th century. The narrative follows Peter Siner, a well-educated Black man returning to his Southern hometown of Hooker's Bend after four years at Harvard. The story explores themes of race, identity, and the struggle for progress within the context of entrenched social barriers, as Peter seeks to establish a school for his community against the backdrop of a segregated society. The opening of the novel introduces Peter's discomfort with the realities of Jim Crow laws as he travels back South, which starkly contrasts with his recent experiences in a more integrated environment. Through vivid descriptions, we learn about Peter's reflections on his upbringing and the complexities of Black life in the South, including his aspirations to uplift his community. As he arrives at Hooker's Bend, the narrative hints at both the external challenges he will face, including systemic racism and social expectations, and the internal conflicts stemming from his identity and ambition. The chapter intricately weaves Peter's personal journey with the broader social dynamics at play, laying a foundation for the conflicts and themes that are likely to unfold throughout the novel.
Charles Egbert Craddock
The despot of Broomsedge Cove
The despot of Broomsedge Cove by Charles Egbert Craddock is a novel written in the late 19th century. Set in the Great Smoky Mountains, it explores a tight-knit Appalachian community caught between religious fervor, frontier law, and personal vendettas. The story centers on Teck Jepson, a charismatic and overbearing zealot, the embattled constable Eli Strobe and his family, and Jake Baintree, a young man acquitted of a neighbor’s murder but still shadowed by suspicion. The opening of the novel lingers on the wild grandeur of the Smokies and introduces Teck Jepson, who merges Old Testament drama with local life and harbors a relentless conviction that Jake Baintree killed Samuel Keale. After tense exchanges with constable Eli Strobe and Ben Bowles, and a glimpse of Bowles’s uneasy household, Jepson wanders into a gorge at night and finds a hat and coat hidden behind a split rock—garments he believes belonged to the missing Keale. At a river baptism soon after, Jepson publicly brandishes the items and denounces Baintree, prompting the parson to refuse baptism until a confession is made, as thunder and rain scatter the crowd. In the storm’s aftermath, Jepson shelters under a cliff with Eli Strobe’s daughters, Marcella and Isabel; their wary, lively talk reveals Marcella’s worry over her father’s reelection and his principled defense of the court’s verdict, while Jepson insists Eli’s stance will cost him votes. The section closes with hints of Baintree’s odd, subdued behavior since jail and the community’s simmering conflict over guilt, grace, and power.
Charles Egbert Craddock
The story of Keedon Bluffs
"The story of Keedon Bluffs" by Charles Egbert Craddock is a novel written in the late 19th century. Set in the Great Smoky Mountains, it explores mountain life shaped by Civil War aftershocks, local lore, and a looming mystery tied to the towering Keedon Bluffs. The story centers on young Ike Guyther, his blind artilleryman uncle Abner, the dubious drifter Jerry Binwell, and Jerry’s captivating little daughter Rosamond, as suspicion and old grievances collide with whispers of hidden treasure and haunted caves. The opening of the novel paints the bluffs and river in vivid detail, introduces the found cannonball, and sketches Ike’s restless courage alongside Abner’s proud, wounded stoicism. A stranger with an ox-cart—Jerry—arrives with his irresistible child, Rosamond, spinning eerie “witch” warnings about the cliff hollows that Ike suspects are meant to scare him off. When a storm forces Jerry into Ike’s home, Abner recognizes him and angrily accuses him of wartime treachery, but the family’s hospitality—and Rosamond’s charm—prevail for the night. As Rosamond wins every heart, Jerry recounts his hard luck, while privately showing a mocking edge. In town, gossip swirls: an old-timer suggests Abner wants to reach the cliff cavities not for a cannonball but for Squire Torbett’s rumored hidden money that Ab and Jerry once helped conceal. Community disapproval hardens around Jerry, who tries to regain face by showing off his agility at the store, even as taunts about desertion dog him.
Charles Egbert Craddock
The Ordeal: A Mountain Romance of Tennessee
"The Ordeal: A Mountain Romance of Tennessee" by Charles Egbert Craddock is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, it intricately weaves themes of love, regret, and the complexities of human relationships. Central to the narrative are Edward Briscoe and his cousin Julian Bayne, whose past connection with the alluring Lillian Royston brings tension and unresolved feelings to the forefront. The opening of the novel introduces us to a serene yet somber atmosphere in the Briscoe's mountain bungalow, highlighting the unsettling sense of solitude and the anticipation of autumnal splendor. Edward Briscoe is nervously awaiting his cousin Julian, who arrives unexpectedly, triggering an awkward conversation about a shared past with Lillian, his now-widowed former fiancée. The tension escalates as both men navigate their feelings surrounding Lillian’s presence during this season of reflection, foreshadowing emotional confrontations that arise from their intertwined histories. As their discussion unfolds, Briscoe reveals that Lillian is visiting, bringing an unavoidable nostalgia and unease that permeates the environment, setting the stage for the forthcoming drama.
Maria Thompson Daviess
The Tinder-Box
"The Tinder-Box" by Maria Thompson Daviess is a novel published in the early 20th century that explores themes of love, independence, and the evolving role of women in society. The story follows Evelina Shelby, a recently graduated architecture student returning to her hometown, Glendale, Tennessee, where she grapples with her newfound aspirations for personal freedom and the societal expectations surrounding marriage and gender roles. The opening of the novel introduces the protagonist, Evelina, as she reflects on her emotional landscape and her relationships with her friends, particularly Jane Mathers, who encourages her to assert herself in love and life. Evelina is posed with a challenge: to navigate her feelings for Richard Hall and Polk Hayes while also being urged to take responsibility for guiding other young women in their romantic choices. Throughout these early pages, we see Evelina's internal conflict between traditional societal roles and her desire for independence, setting the stage for her journey of self-discovery and empowerment amidst the complexities of familial and romantic expectations.
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