title: The Cove: A Novel
author:  Ron Rash 
description: A gently beautiful new novelRash, a native of Appalachia, has written a southern tragedy, with a self-consciously Shakespearean structure and economy. [A] powerful novel, with some of the mysterious moral weight of Carson McCullers, along with a musical voice that belongs to Rash alone. (USA Today)<br /><br />This book ranks among the best backwoods fiction since 2006s <i>Winters Bone</i>.... [A] gripping novel[not] just an elegant work of literary fiction, written in a voice thats hauntingly simple and Southern; its also a riveting mystery. (Entertainment Weekly, Grade: A)<br /><br />Rash is particularly good at capturing the hazy space where otherworldly phantoms mingle with plain old human meannessRash never lays down a dull or clunky lineat the very endthese pages ignite, and suddenly were racing through a conflagration of violence that no one seems able to control except Rash. (Washington Post)<br /><br />In Rashs skilled hands, even farm chores take on a meditative beauty. (People)<br /><br />Mr. Rashs writing is so richly atmospheric[he] can make words take wing. A breathless sequence of events lead the book to its devastating final sentence. And that sentence affirms Mr. Rashs reputation for writerly miracles. (Janet Maslin, New York Times)<br /><br />[B]eautifully craftedIn [the coves] story, we hear the unique voice of a region made all the more poignant for how few will ever hear it exactly this way again. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)<br /><br />Rash masterfully poises suspense elements and gives full reign to other strengths: language, awe, symbolism, cast of characters and mountain knowledge. Its a book you could read again to savor the writing. Rash has found a subject that compellingly represents his visionbeauty shadowed by foreboding; and hes made it symphonic. (Asheville Citizen-Times)<br /><br />Lonely young woman meets mysterious stranger. What might have been trite and formulaic is anything but in Rashs fifth novel, a dark tale of Appalachian superstition and jingoism so good it gives you chills Even better than the bestselling Serena (2008), for here Rash has elevated melodrama to tragedy. (Kirkus Reviews <strong>(starred review)</strong>)<br /><br />Rash effortlessly summons the rugged Appalachian landscape as well as the small-mindedness and xenophobia of a country in the grip of patriotic fervor, drawing striking parallels to the heated political rhetoric of today. A powerful novel that skillfully overlays its tragic love story with pointed social commentary. (Booklist <strong>(starred review)</strong>)<br /><br />The gripping plot, gothic atmosphere, and striking descriptions, in particular of the dismal cove, make this a top-notch story of an unusual place and its fated and fearful denizens. (Publishers Weekly (starred review), Pick of the Week)
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  # The Practice
  
  
  ### A Catlett’s Cove Novel
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Grant C. Holland
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Copyright](part0002.html#1T140-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Prologue](part0003.html#2RHM0-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  1.
  
  
  [Thomas](part0004.html#3Q280-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  2.
  
  
  [Hadley](part0005.html#4OIQ0-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  3.
  
  
  [Hadley](part0006.html#5N3C0-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  4.
  
  
  [Thomas](part0007.html#6LJU0-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  5.
  
  
  [Hadley](part0008.html#7K4G0-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  6.
  
  
  [Thomas](part0009.html#8IL20-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  7.
  
  
  [Hadley](part0010.html#9H5K0-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  8.
  
  
  [Thomas](part0011.html#AFM60-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  9.
  
  
  [Hadley](part0012.html#BE6O0-b8fc217e9a3b48eeadb330bb70ac02a7)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  10.
  
  
  [T