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Title: Over-rated &#65533; OK book, but not deserving of the praise.
Review: I found this book to be quite over-rated. The writing was simplistic and lacking in depth. Many people consider Hemingway's writing style simplistic, but there was depth of meaning beneath his unadorned manner of writing. Oprah has performed a valuable service for the public by encouraging reading through her book club. However, this book is like a good TV show. It may be 'good', but in the end it's still only TV. Also, I have a problem with the accuracy of the author's depiction of turn of the century Appalachia. He displays some knowledge of the area (poke is a local term for sack or bag), but I felt overall many details were suspect and lacking in complete credibility. For readers seeking a touching and more accurate picture of the time and locale, I suggest THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE by Forrest Carter. His account is true and the writing is exceptional, in a sublime way. It was a 1991 Abby Award recipient.
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