Reviews

The Coal Tattoo by Silas House

deanna_rigney's review against another edition

3.0

I really liked his personal writing style and characters. I also enjoyed the glimpse of life in the Eastern Kentucky region, which I'm sure closely resembles my grandparents' lives close to this time. I found the relationship between the sisters very interesting.

tarrowood's review against another edition

4.0

What a ride it has been. My first book finished since isolation was a good one. House blesses the book with a plethora of doubles that tie you into how close the two sisters that act center stage are. The imagery, symbolism, and eco-criticism all play together to create a uniquely enjoyable novel.

mclellan's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book. I grew up in Eastern Kentucky and it reminded me a lot of home and the people I knew when I was growing up.

bjhg5053's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

jess_ika's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kloeblake's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

joniallison23's review against another edition

5.0

"Easter felt the mountain behind her, its presence so big and real that she thought she could feel it breathing, something ancient and alive."

Like so many other books set in Appalachia, the land has such a palpable presence that the setting almost becomes a character unto itself. Silas House recognizes the power the land has on its people and captures and honors this power with his imagery and descriptive language. Set against this backdrop is the story of two sisters tied to each other and to the land and their struggle to maintain these ties to both.

rmtrodglen's review against another edition

4.0

I began reading this without realizing it was effectively a prequel to Clay's Quilt. The realization did not strike me until the very end, since it had been quite a bit since I had read the latter. I can't really figure a proper order to read the two in. Proper, in this instance, meaning not as emotionally crushing as I found the unexpected realization that I had a prequel in my hands.
But, you know, I was emotionally crushed, so... I really liked it.

patches_n_pudding's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

ksprokes's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75