Coal Run
By (Author) Tawni O'dell
Penguin Putnam Inc
Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
7th June 2005
United States
General
Fiction
Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary
FIC
Paperback
384
Width 136mm, Height 203mm, Spine 25mm
403g
With her eagerly awaited second novel, Tawni O'Dell takes readers back to the coal-mining country of western Pennsylvania. Set in a town ravaged and haunted by a mine explosion that took the lives of 96 men, Coal Run explores the life of local deputy and erstwhile football legend, "The Great Ivan Z.," as he prepares for a former teammate's imminent release from prison. As the week unfolds and Ivan struggles to confront his demons, he reveals himself to be a man whose conscience is burdened by a long-held and shocking secret.
This one's pretty close to a masterpiece. ("Kirkus Reviews", starred review) Rich, compassionate storytelling. ("Publishers Weekly") A fierce, sharply drawn and richly sympathetic tribute to working class America... Riveting storytelling and genuine emotional punch...excellent. ("Publishers Weekly", starred review)
This one's pretty close to a masterpiece. (
"Another winner... a muscular, memorable drama."
Tawni O'Dell, a western Pennsylvania native, earned a degree in journalism from Northwestern University. In addition to earning wages as a bankteller and a waitress, she put herself through college working as an exotic dancer jumping out of cakes at bachelor parties. A mother of two, she lives with her husband in Illinois. This is her first novel.