The Secret Sense of Wildflower

Southern Historical Fiction, Best Book of 2012

By: Susan Gabriel

Narrated by: Holly Adams

Named a Best Book of 2012 by Kirkus Reviews!

Set in 1940s Appalachia, The Secret Sense of Wildflower tells the story of Louisa May "Wildflower" McAllister whose life has been shaped around the recent death of her beloved father in a sawmill accident.

While her mother hardens in her grief, Wildflower and her three sisters must cope with their loss themselves, as well as with the demands of daily survival. Despite these hardships, Wildflower has a resilience that is forged with humor, a love of the land, and an endless supply of questions to God.

When Johnny Monroe, the town's teenage ne'er-do-well, sets his sights on Wildflower, she must draw on the strength of her relations, both living and dead, to deal with his threat.

With prose as lush and colorful as the American South, The Secret Sense of Wildflower is powerful and poignant, brimming with energy and angst, humor and hope.

Enjoy southern fiction at its best today!

©2012 Susan Gabriel (P)2018 Susan Gabriel

Vivid scenery of the beautiful hills and hollers of the Appalachian Mountains.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction .... the old mountain family structure is plain and simple but the characters are deep thinkers.

Meh

The story has the potential to be more than what it was. The book dwelt way too long and too much about the Wildflower's attachment and death of her father. It got really redundant at times...slow moving.

I loved this book!

I just finished listening to The Secret Sense of Wildflower on Audible. I am a 58-year-old grandmother, and this story drew me in - to the point that I was a pregnant 13-year-old in a 1940's Appalachian mountain county. I laughed and cried with Wildflower. I held my breath in fear of what was coming, and I am sitting here wanting to know the rest of her story. Looking forward to getting the next book in the series!

Audio a Must For This Susan Gabriel Story

First, the narrator makes this story work. Can’t imagine how it would come across by reading the story. With Gabriel’s knack for writing and Holly Adam’s magic in narrating, it was almost a movie. Susan Gabriel is so good at tugging on your emotions I found myself part of the McAllister family, watching from the background, reacting with tears, anger or pity. Holly Adams has an authentic voice for each character giving the listener the added touch of easily recognizing who’s talking and how they are feeling when they say something.

Set in the mountains of Appalachia, in 1941, Wildflower, the subject of this book, is the youngest daughter of four, and is wise beyond her years. This young girl has had to endure a life time of living in her 13 short years. Gabriel captures the time, the place, and emotions of life in poverty and the people caught up in it. Another fine novel from Susan Gabriel.

enjoyed the listen

really enjoyed narration
a very sad situation turned around by LOVE and SUPPORT of family.