Stone Man Mountain

by Annabel Thomas

"When, in 1910, York Mende's grandmother moves him from the hills of southeastern Ohio to a town in the flatlands, the boy is glad to leave his Appalachian heritage behind. Raised on Horatio Alger stories and tales of his cunning politician grandfather, York comes to enjoy city life while studying veterinary medicine and reigning as a star athlete at the university. From time to time, he must return to the hill country to look after his inherited property, but he is careful to avoid being snagged by any mountain girl - especially Dissa Marie Lovett, who plainly sees him as a means of getting herself out of the hills. When Dissa finally does escape, she rejoices, but eventually she realizes that she has left behind not only the Appalachians but also her identity and her moral and spiritual framework.". "It is Dissa's artist daughter, Rohanna, who returns to the hills. Crippled physically and emotionally by a friend's betrayal, she is drawn to Tavis Clendennin, a schoolteacher and blacks