Bloodroot

Written by:
Amy Greene
Narrated by:
Various

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
Narrator
Release Date
January 2010
Duration
13 hours 35 minutes
Summary
Named for a flower whose blood-red sap possesses the power both to heal and poison, Bloodroot is a stunning fiction debut about the legacies—of magic and madness, faith and secrets, passion and loss—that haunt one family across the generations, from the Great Depression to today.

The novel is told in a kaleidoscope of seamlessly woven voices and centers around an incendiary romance that consumes everyone in its path: Myra Lamb, a wild young girl with mysterious, haint blue eyes who grows up on remote Bloodroot Mountain; her grandmother Byrdie Lamb, who protects Myra fiercely and passes down “the touch” that bewitches people and animals alike; the neighbor boy who longs for Myra yet is destined never to have her; the twin children Myra is forced to abandon but who never forget their mother’s deep love; and John Odom, the man who tries to tame Myra and meets with shocking, violent disaster. Against the backdrop of a beautiful but often unforgiving country, these lives come together—only to be torn apart—as a dark, riveting mystery unfolds.

With grace and unflinching verisimilitude, Amy Greene brings her native Appalachia—and the faith and fury of its people—to rich and vivid life. Here is a spellbinding tour de force that announces a dazzlingly fresh, natural-born storyteller in our midst.
Reviews
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Angie Teal

This audiobook was so good I actually listened to it twice. The narrators are fabulous, the mountain and its inhabitants come to life. You can actually see and feel Bloodroot Mountain, and you listen with a lump in your throat to the trials and hardship, strength and resilience of Byrdie Lamb, the grannie, and her offspring. Even though it spawns the timeframe from 1900 to 2010 it is oddly timeless and the wisdom and power of the narration makes you forget modern gadgets. Absolutely fabulous audiobook, I highly recommend it.

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Anonymous

I could not get into the book. It just didn't keep my attention. I actually found myself avoiding listening to it.

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Deb in Virginia

On first disc, I almost said -- no, this is too slow --- but now over half through, I am not wanting it to end. It draws you in. Looking forward to Amy Greene's second book when it comes out. This one is wonderful!

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sgw

Terrific recording, with several narrators, and each a perfect match - down to the authentic accent! - for the character. Loved the book, which is pervaded throughout with such a clear depiction of its setting - Bloodroot Mountain and the rural communities near it - that everyone comes alive, even the characters who are already dead at the time the story begins (such as Byrdie's sister and mother.)

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Kc

A well-timed story line that moved me to tears in some places. Absolutely delightful cast to listen to that make you think of hot summers, cool hollows & the people who, in your deepest, darkest places, you wish did or didn't exist.

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Dee in LA

The narrator did a good job with the dialog but the story was very slow. It seemed as though someone said "you should write a book"...and they did. To slow to keep me interested.

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Anonymous

Excellent story w/even better Narrarator. I've listened to it twice & thinking of listening to it again.

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Anonymous

Beautifully written, but so hauntingly, heartbreakingly sad.

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valerie

I have not even finished listening to this book and I wanted to write something about it. It is truly an engrossing & emotional work. It lets you have a glimpse into the lives of a family in the Appalacian South. I have actually turned the cds off when I felt the loss and sorrow of the characters . I have also been late to work finishing up a chapter. Please give this book a try. You will not be dissapointed

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Anonymous

Interesting story. Depressing at times, but I was very connected and interested in the story.

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Jill

Great book and wonderful audio production. Hats off to the new author for not reading it herself (hint, hint Barbara Kingsolver) and to the producer for casting different (and excellant) readers for each main character, which really enhances books with multiple protagonists.

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Anonymous

I thought this book was truly beautiful. There's a great deal of tragedy, and you have to have the stomach for that to keep going with it, but the writing is gorgeous, the readers are all outstanding, and the characters' inner lives and their relationships are very complex and deep. Since its a multi-generational story, you see how the good and bad of a family legacy works its way through the generations--the tragedies, abuses and terrible errors gradually finding redemption, the gifts being passed on like a delicate thread of hope. Loved the subtle presence of magical realism throughout, and how the power of nature breaths through the book. The whole thing weaves a spell.

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Clare

This was an awesome book to listen to. There are different actors for the major characters in the book. The descriptions are so detailed and full of feeling that the author carries you to the mountain. You can taste and feel what the characters are experiencing. The book is a gift to us.

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S.Rossman

I absolutely loved this book. What a touching tale of the tragedy and triumph of life and the bond that exists between family members. I will definitely read more of Amy's work.

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Anonymous

Perhaps some people think this book is overly dramatic but in my opinion, in my 64 years of reading fiction (everything I can get my hands on), Bloodroot is probably the most powerful, emotional drama I have ever read. I don't care if some of it is "over the top", the raw emotion and tragedy portrayed in the book and the love expressed by the characters is overwhelming. I laughed, I cried, I rejoiced and I mourned. The readers were fantastic - their accents were as close to genuine as could be and added to the magnetism this book had for me. I would sit in my car and finish a chapter before I went in to work - not wanting to stop hearing it. PLEASE give this book a listen - it will touch your heart in places you forgot you had.

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K.Nelson

I wish I could give this book 10 stars!!! I loved everything about this book. This is also the first book that I've listened to that I think should be read that way. The readers of this novel bring it to life! The story is fantastic. The characters are relatable and engaging. I could see them in my mind and it was as if these were people I knew, my own family members. Also, I am from the area that this story is set in (or close to it) so it truly felt real to me. This is this authors debut novel and I CANNOT wait to read her next book!!!!!

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