Library News and Views: 'Big Cherry Holler'

By Francine Brady

“Big Cherry Holler” by Adriana Trigiani is book two in the “Big Stone Gap Series.” Everything that really matters is here: humor, romance, wisdom, drama and the engaging oddball characters from “Big Stone Gap.”

“Big Cherry Holler” is more serious and concentrates on letting go of the past, of old hurts and making room for wonderful things to happen.

Jumping forward eight years into Ave Maria Mulligan’s life, we find she is now married to Jack MacChesney the love of her life.  They have a healthy, beautiful daughter, Etta. Sadly, there is a strain on their marriage since the death of their son, Joe, age 4, and problems will only deepen with the closing of the mine and her husband facing unemployment.

Jack refuses to talk about the death of Joe; and the fact he may have had an affair while Ave Maria was in Italy has built a barrier between them.

Without consulting Jack, Ave Maria sells her pharmacy to her friend, Pearl, and goes back to work to earn extra cash to maintain the family property. Thus comes another nail in the coffin, so to speak.

Gala Nuccio, Ave’s travel agent, tries to arrange a trip to Italy for the Mac family, but Jack refuses to go leaving Etta and Ave Maria to travel alone.

While in Italy Etta and her new cousin, Chiara, become best buddies and bring some light heartedness into Ave Maria’s troubles. With the fresh air of Italy and her papa for support, Ave takes on a new zest for living.

While at a dance, Pete Rutledge meets and falls in love with Ave Maria and the idea of an affair excites her. Pete makes her feel like a girl again. She and Jack have run out of things to say. Jack feels Ave Maria needs time to think and decide if she wants to say married.  

Did Jack have an affair when Ave Maria was in Italy? Does Ave Maria succumb to her feelings for Pete? Will Theodore, Ave Maria’s best friend and closest companion reveal why he never married? Find out by reading “Big Cherry Holler” and then continue on with book three, “Milk Glass Moon.”

“Big Cherry Holler” is available at the Havre-Hill County Library.

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Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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