Subject
Tobacco farmers -- Fiction Books
Best books
Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow
The Deliverance: A Romance of the Virginia Tobacco Fields
"The Deliverance: A Romance of the Virginia Tobacco Fields" by Ellen Glasgow is a novel published in 1904. Christopher Blake, descendant of a once-wealthy Virginia family, toils as a laborer on the estate his ancestors owned. For fifteen years, he works to shield his blind mother from their ruin while nursing a bitter hatred for the dishonest man who stole their home. When opportunity for revenge arrives, Christopher must face the devastating consequences of his actions.
Henry Cleveland Wood
The Night Riders A Thrilling Story of Love, Hate and Adventure, Graphically Depicting the Tobacco Uprising in Kentucky
"The Night Riders" by Henry Cleveland Wood is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The story focuses on the tobacco uprising in Kentucky, exploring themes of love, conflict, and adventure as characters navigate the tension between local farmers and the toll-gate system. The narrative centers on Sally Brown, a toll-gate keeper, her mother, and Milton Derr, her love interest, against a backdrop of civil unrest. The opening of the book introduces the daily life of a poor family living by a tollgate and hints at the larger issues at play with the mention of rising tensions over tolls and taxes. Sally's relationship with her mother reveals differing attitudes about potential suitors and survival, particularly regarding the Squire, who represents authority and potential security. As the story progresses, readers catch a glimpse of Milton Derr's evolving involvement with the Night Riders, a secret organization planning to challenge the power structure threatening their livelihoods. The stage is set for conflict as the characters grapple with personal desires and their roles in the social upheaval.
Sarah Bell Hackley
The Tobacco Tiller: A Tale of the Kentucky Tobacco Fields
"The Tobacco Tiller: A Tale of the Kentucky Tobacco Fields" by Sarah Bell Hackley is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story focuses on the lives of tobacco farmers in Kentucky, primarily through the experiences of Ephriam Doggett and his family, exploring the struggles and complexities of agricultural life, particularly the cultivation of tobacco. The opening of the novel introduces Mr. Ephriam Doggett and his family as they navigate the challenges of raising tobacco. In a light-hearted yet serious conversation among family and guests, they discuss the effects of weather on their crops, the state of their living conditions, and their hopes for better prospects. Key themes emerge, including the hardships of farm life, the dynamics within the family and the community, and elements of humor and camaraderie that reflect their resilience. Hackley's vivid characterization and setting establish a rich context for the unfolding narrative within Kentucky's tobacco culture.
Walter Caruth McConnell
The Nightriders' Feud
"The Nightriders' Feud" by Walter C. McConnell is a novel written in the early 20th century. It tells the story of John Redmond, a young engineer who seeks adventure and an escape from urban life in the wilds of Kentucky. After learning about the brutal murder of his uncle by a group known as the Nightriders, Redmond, adopting the name Jack Wade, is consumed by a thirst for revenge as he sets out to claim his uncle's land and restore justice. The opening of the novel presents John Redmond's life-changing journey after his graduation. The narrative quickly pivots from his aspirations for wealth in the West to a tragic turn of events upon his return home—his uncle's gruesome death at the hands of the Nightriders. As the protagonist grapples with grief and rage, he resolves to avenge his uncle's murder and takes residence in Kentucky, where he encounters Nora Judson, the daughter of a local farmer. Their budding relationship amid the escalating threat from the Nightriders sets the stage for conflict and explores themes of justice, honor, and community ties in a lawless setting.
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