The new edition of Appalachian Journal, vol. 46. 1-2, features articles on foodways in Appalachia, the literature of Ron Rash, LGBTQ topics and a lively discussion of a new book on the field of Appalachian Studies, along with other book reviews and new poetry from the region.
An interview with UNC-CH professor of Southern studies Elizabeth Engelhardt reveals the importance of multiple perspectives at the table in “Roots, Seeds and Branches: A Conversation about Foodways Research.” The interview, conducted by Lynn Moss Sanders’ folklore students at Appalachian State University, brings to light Engelhardt’s background in Women’s Studies, American literature and foodways research, from bbq to biscuits, from Appalachia to Austin, Texas and back to North Carolina.
Heidi Hanrahan’s innovative discussion of Ron Rash’s “Raising the Dead” and “One Foot in Eden” focuses on the dark “noir” features not ordinarily identified as such in Appalachian literature.
In “Quaring the Queer in Appalachia,” sociologist Stef M. Shuster uses established methodologies in interdisciplinary ways to rethink queer studies in Appalachia and offer a revised “quare” method of understanding the “Other.”
Scholars of Appalachian studies engage in robust conversation about a new text for the field in “Going Meta: A Roundtable Discussion of ‘Studying Appalachian Studies.’” Anna Creadick, Grace Toney Edwards, William Schumann, Pamela Twiss and Randall Wilhelm examine the strengths and scope, as well as the challenges and gaps in this important book edited by Chad Berry, Phillip J. Obermiller and Shaunna L. Scott.
This issue of Appalachian Journal features a splendid assortment of poets whose work appears in this publication for the first time: Susan J. Mitchell, Pamela Sinicrope and Holly Day. It also includes poetry by longtime “AppalJ” poets Gilbert Allen, Michael McFee and Hilda Downer. Photography by Ken Ford accompanies eight poems by Hilda Downer, from their unpublished collaborative work, “When Light Waits for Us,” on the poignancy of their having taken so long to meet.
Appalachian Journal reviews several nationally renowned, important books. Bethany Mannon’s review essay highlights two books about foster care and adoption in Appalachia: Deborah Gold’s “Counting Down: A Memoir about Foster Parenting and Beyond” and Wendy Welch’s “Fall or Fly: The Strangely Hopeful Story…”
Richard A. Straw reviews J. Blake Perkins’ “Hillbilly Hellraisers: Federal Power and Populist Defiance in the Ozarks” and Samuel J. Richards reviews Eliza Griswold’s “Amity and Prosperity,” winner of a 2019 Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction. Donna Meredith reviews Laura Long and Doug Van Gundy’s West Virginia fiction and poetry anthology “Eyes Glowing at the Edge of the Woods.” Susan O’Dell Underwood reviews Diane Gilliam’s stunning poetry collection “Dreadful Wind & Rain” and Brandon Johnson reviews Taylor Brown’s new novel, “Gods of Howl Mountain.”
Meredith McCarroll reviews Robert Gipe’s impressive illustrated novel “Weedeater” and John Lang reviews Lynn Powell’s Felix Pollak Prize winning poetry collection “Season of the Second Thought.”
J.W. Williamson, Richard Hague and Phyllis Moore remember the lifework of talented individuals who left indelible influences on Appalachia: Ed Cabbell and Jim Webb.
Appalachian Journal is available from the University Bookstore at Appalachian State University, the AppalJ office in Belk Library or order forms are available online at www.appjournal.appstate.edu. To pay with credit card, call 828-262-4072.
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About the Appalachian Journal: A Regional Studies Review
Appalachian Journal: A Regional Studies Review, founded in 1972, is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed quarterly journal housed at Appalachian State University. The journal features field research, interviews and other scholarly studies of history, politics, economics, culture, folklore, literature, music, ecology and a variety of other topics, as well as poetry and reviews of books, films and recordings dealing with the Appalachian Mountains region. Learn more at https://appjournal.appstate.edu.
About the Center for Appalachian Studies
The Center for Appalachian Studies promotes public programs, community collaboration, civic engagement and scholarship on the Appalachian region. The center is committed to building healthy communities and deepening knowledge of Appalachia’s past, present and future through community-based research and engagement. Learn more at https://appcenter.appstate.edu.
July 15, 2019
By Sandra Ballard and Ellen Gwin Burnette
BOONE, N.C.
Appalachian Journal, vol. 46. 1-2 cover image
Appalachian Journal, vol. 46. 1-2 cover image