Serena: A Novel
by Ron Rash
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Book Reviews of Serena: A Novel
Book Review: The Stuff Myths are Made of...
Summary: 5 Stars
Ron Rash's ambitious new novel, "Serena", successfully combines elements of Greek tragedy, Shakespeare, and Gothic novels as it tells the tall tale of George and Serena Pemberton creating a monstrous timber empire in the Appalachian Mountains during the Great Depression. It's a big, epic, and haunting tome that is near impossible to put down.
If some of the other reviews sound like a bit of an oversell, know this: "Serena" is wickedly entertaining. Its 400 pages are chock full of knife fights, grisly murders, savage animal attacks, political assassinations, passionate interludes, quite moments of serene beauty, soothsayers, preachers, carnivals, and a battle royale between an eagle and a komodo dragon.
Popular fiction doesn't get any better than this. "Serena" is the book of the year.
Book Review: Dark historical novel
Summary: 3 Stars
"Serena" is the story of an ambitious young couple, George and Serena Pemberton, who run a logging camp In North Carolina in the late 1920s. When George brings his new wife home from Boston, he is greeted by the irate father of a local girl who is carrying his child. The Pembertons are impervious to the problems of anyone around them, and they are obsessive in their desires to achieve wealth and power through their logging business. Their greed and destruction of forests is in opposition to other characters in the book who are promoting the designation of the area as the Smoky Mountains National Park. The setting and the history surrounding the story were interesting to me but the characters were ruthless and didn't seem to have many redeeming qualities, a factor which caused me to lower my review to 3 stars.Book Review: A masterwork of style and storytelling
Summary: 5 Stars
Ron Rash's previous books got better as they came along, but I don't know how he'll top this. This is the best American novel I have read of the 21st century, and in many ways it tells a uniquely American story.
Even with the main characters' Macbethean megalomania, manipulation, and murderousness, Rash is far too gifted a writer to create two-dimensional villains. Like the other characters in this novel, the protagonists are complex, reacting to conflicting motives and second-guessing all those around them. Serena Pemberton is the most powerful, unforgettable character I have encountered in years.
This is a novel that achieves what only the best do: a mesmerizing story, indelible characters, and gorgeous writing. If you doubt that Ron Rash is the best writer in America, pick up Serena.
Book Review: one of the best books out there
Summary: 5 Stars
All of the top newspaper reviewers around the nation have given this book glowing reviews, and I could not agree more. I disagree with those who say the characters are 1 dimensional ,or too evil. only Serena is pure evil, and there are people like that in this world, we see proof of that every day. Over-all, it is a hopeful story, because of the good people who come through for Rachel. Ron Rash knows the Appalachian area and its people well. his family have lived deep in the appl. in a small town since the 1700's. He teaches appalachian studies at one of the North Carolina universities. I love all of his novels, but if you have not read his poetry or short stories, I highly advise you to. his poetry is wonderful,and at times dark,and violent. and It gives you a feel for his people like nothing else can.Book Review: Good vs Evil
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the classic story of good vs evil. On the evil side is Serena - she wants to control the environment and nature. She has no remorse for cutting down trees and totally destroying the environment and the people of the NC mountains. Rachel is the good - she understands the land and is in harmony with the environment and can live off the land. One quote from the book sums it all up "Everything in the world has its natural place and if you take something out or put something in that ought not to be out or in, everything gets lopsided and out of sorts." Take the time to read this page turner - you not only learn about the hard life of the people in the NC mountains during the Depression but also see two women who live totally different lives and how they interact with each other.