Clay's Quilt was a Book Sense 76 Pick and was nominated for the Southeastern Booksellers Book of the Year and the Appalachian Writers Association Book Award. Clay Sizemore loves his home in Free Creek, but he longs for more. Since the death of his mother when he was four, he has felt the absence of family. His father left, and he has no siblings. But finally, through the love of others, he is able to create a place of his own.
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"A sweet and lyrical telling of an orphan's life in Kentucky coal country. I occasionally found the dialect used jarring, but the imagery of Clay exploring his mother's life as quilting together an image from other's memories to be a beautiful way of picturing life."
— Deborah (4 out of 5 stars)
" Another Silas House book. I really liked it. His books all have this GREAT sense of place about them. I love how he writes. "
— Lanette, 2/20/2014" I really liked this authors style of writing. He is very descriptive and builds unique characters. I also enjoyed the interview with him at the back of the book! "
— Vicky, 2/2/2014" Favorite part...description of the female fiddler and how she feels when she plays...reminds me of the fiddler in group Celtic Woman. Yes, I know...I could say a lot more, but so many others have all said it before me. "
— Jane, 1/30/2014" This book was amazing. I'm going to find other Silas House books and put them on my library reserve list ASAP. You should read this book! "
— Sara, 1/27/2014" Good contemporary novel set in Kentucky; very likeable characters. "
— Amy, 1/16/2014" I enjoyed the writing style of the author. His words are colorful and rich, painting a picture of the home, family and history of a young man raised in the mountains of Kentucky. I would recommend this to someone wanting a comfortable, warm and uncomplicated book. "
— Ruth, 1/15/2014" silas house has a wonderful command on the Appalachian dialect without makin' everyone sound like Jethro Bodine in my head. "
— Misty, 1/13/2014" This here book is why I LOVE TO READ. This book was truly amazing, it's not often that I'm drawn into a book this much, so much that I feel like I am a part of the characters, the town, all of it. "
— Robyn, 1/12/2014" I read House in order to remember my homeland, but this book touched me deeply because of the experience of Clay with remembering his mother and learning about her, her life, and death. A wonderfully good read. "
— Megan, 10/25/2013" This is beautifully written, all of a piece prose. It's part of a trilogy. I look forward to the other books in this series. Our university has picked this as the Freshman Experience book for fall 2008. I'm interested in seeing what students think of it. "
— Pamela, 10/9/2013" There are very few books that actually draw me in like this one did. I could feel the feelings of the characters, smell the food and feel the pain.... very moving and real to life. Thank you Silas House "
— Sandy, 9/10/2013" I really enjoyed it. Love a book that you get into so much that it brings the tears. Look forward to reading his others "
— Tonya, 5/17/2013" Appalachia "
— Phyllis, 5/12/2013" I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It hinted on the subtleties or growing up in Appalachia, and what it's like as an adult to revisit the past. "
— Kimberly, 3/15/2013" A lovely book to read about the mountains. Sometimes his descriptions were so lovely they reminded me of poetry. "
— Sheree, 12/17/2012" Silas House captures the spirit and culture of Appalachia. When I read Clay's Quilt, I felt like I was reading about someone I already knew. "
— Miranda, 11/15/2012" Liked it but quite predictable. Interesting characters. "
— Evonne, 5/28/2012" This is truely an excellent book. It left me feeling as though I was part of the friendly, down-home Sizemore family. The author impressed upon me an appreciation for life in the Appalachians. "
— Kasey, 5/12/2012" I love this series. Silas House has such a way with words. "
— Amy, 4/6/2012" i didn;t think i would like it, but it was really interesting and it really kept my attention. "
— Alexis, 2/12/2012" Just reread 5-09 still good! "
— Cathy, 11/5/2011" Very good. Mountain culture. Beautiful expressions. "
— Sharon, 7/7/2011" A boy's mother dies when he is small-murdered. She was wild. So is the boy. Just a very, very good story. Silas House is a great writer. "
— Vikki, 5/29/2011Silas House is the author of several novels, including A Parchment of Leaves. He is a winner of the E. B. White Award, the Nautilus Award, the Appalachian Book of the Year, the Hobson Medal for Literature, and other honors. He is a frequent contributor to the New York Times and a former commentator for NPR’s “All Things Considered.” He is a member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers.
Tom Stechschulte (1948–2021) was an acclaimed narrator and winner of the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He had been a college athlete and business major when a friend dared him to audition for a play. He got the part and traded the locker room for the dressing room, eventually taking him to New York City and to recording audiobooks.