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Red Helmet Audiobook
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(3.07) - 203 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Can their love survive the difference in their circumstances?
Song Hawkins is a beautiful, tough, but lonely New York City businesswoman who thinks she's met the man of her dreams in Cable Jordan, the superintendent of a West Virginia coal mine. But soon after they impulsively marry, Song realizes they're in big trouble. She can't imagine life outside of New York, and Cable has no intention of leaving his beloved town of Highcoal.
Song's visit to the little mining community only makes things worse. It looks like the marriage is over. But in a shocking turn of events, Song realizes it's up to her to put on the red helmet of the new coal miner and descend into the deep darkness. There she faces her greatest challenge with choices and courage that will forever impact the life of Cable and the entire town.
- Sweet and thoughtful contemporary read
- Stand-alone novel
- Book length: 86,000 words
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
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"I love Homer Hickam, hence the 4 stars. And he got back to coal mining, which I love about his writing. For plot other than the coal mining part, I give it 3 stars, as it was a little predictable and trite. I won't give up on him, but I like his first "autobiographical" stuff better!"
— Beth (4 out of 5 stars)
Red Helmet Listener Reviews
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" A "spring break" read that required little thought. Easy (predictable) plot but sometimes that is just what you need. "
— Brenda, 2/5/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book! This book really takes you into the mines and the lives of coal miners. "
— Jenn, 1/31/2014 -
" Song Hawkins is a NYC business queen who falls for a West Virginia coal miner, Cable. Complications arise when they decide to get married on a whim. Song finds out she's not cut out for life in Highcoal and Cable, the mine super, can't give up on his hometown. Will they ever find a compromise? Add in the town gossip, the governor, and the mystery of missing coal. An average read, I enjoyed it. The ending was a little sappy for me. "
— Erin, 1/24/2014 -
" A simple love story but with a twist. I learned lots about mining underground coal in West Virginia. Also about the newest way to mine coal, by shearing off the mountain tops to get at hidden coal. This is a tragedy in all parts of Appalachia that have coal deposits we need----or want. "
— Peg, 1/17/2014 -
" Good clean book. I really liked his style of writing. "
— Kaylynn, 12/15/2013 -
" I tried to read this, but couldn't get into it. Still, I will give it 2 stars because Hickam writes quality stuff. "
— Amy, 10/26/2013 -
" Just a good old fashioned story, with good old fashioned values. a nice read. "
— Nancy, 5/27/2013 -
" EXCELLENT - really makes you think about coal mining towns - very well written - you could feel their emotion "
— Talma, 2/19/2013 -
" I think he had a good story but just didn't tell it well. His main character was odd in discription. Mistaken for a boy in one chapter and then the next chapter she was supposedly amazingly beautiful who turned heads.... too much of a reach for me to put much into her, and especially as a heroine. "
— Kae, 7/26/2012 -
" Loved this book even though it was a simple story dealing with selfishness and love. It kept a good pace and was fun to read. "
— Jamie, 6/16/2012 -
" I preferred reading October Sky. "
— Wendy, 5/25/2012 -
" Another great Homer Hickam book. I didn't give it 5 stars because parts of it were a little improbable. Otherwise a great read. "
— Ellen, 11/21/2011 -
" This was a great story about the hardships of love and life. I just finished reading it and loved it. "
— Emily, 10/6/2011 -
" I was extremely drawn in to this story from the get go. All the problems worked out but in a human fashion not fairytale like. I recommended it to most of my friends! "
— Chelsea, 6/15/2011 -
" I really liked this book because I like the style in which Homer Hickam writes. I enjoy reading about how coal mining towns operate because it is like a foreign world to me, definitely something interesting and out of the ordinary. "
— Susanne, 5/5/2011 -
" I didn't love the characters in this book- I thought they were selfish and unyielding- but then the story picks up and I got sucked into the plot. Not super thought-provoking, but a fast, enjoyable read. "
— Ashley, 4/23/2011 -
" The first section was very sappy and hard to get through. The second was better. The mining parts of it were the most interesting to me. <br/> "
— Andrea, 4/2/2011 -
" Loved this book even though it was a simple story dealing with selfishness and love. It kept a good pace and was fun to read. "
— Jamie, 2/22/2011 -
" I think I liked this one better than the Josh Thurlow series. Interesting to learn about coal mining. "
— Jami, 12/27/2010 -
" I love Homer Hickam's writing. This isn't my favorite book by him..plus it was a bit to romance(y) for me...When I read his works, I don't want to read romance. Still worth 4 stars..although his other reads by me have handily received 5 stars. "
— Naomi, 12/19/2010 -
" I was extremely drawn in to this story from the get go. All the problems worked out but in a human fashion not fairytale like. I recommended it to most of my friends! "
— Chelsea, 11/13/2010 -
" I really liked this book because I like the style in which Homer Hickam writes. I enjoy reading about how coal mining towns operate because it is like a foreign world to me, definitely something interesting and out of the ordinary. "
— Susanne, 2/1/2010 -
" A simple love story but with a twist. I learned lots about mining underground coal in West Virginia. Also about the newest way to mine coal, by shearing off the mountain tops to get at hidden coal. This is a tragedy in all parts of Appalachia that have coal deposits we need----or want. "
— Peg, 12/19/2009 -
" I preferred reading October Sky. "
— Wendy, 9/1/2009 -
" I didn't love the characters in this book- I thought they were selfish and unyielding- but then the story picks up and I got sucked into the plot. Not super thought-provoking, but a fast, enjoyable read. "
— Ashley, 6/30/2009 -
" Another great Homer Hickam book. I didn't give it 5 stars because parts of it were a little improbable. Otherwise a great read. "
— Ellen, 1/17/2009 -
" This was a great story about the hardships of love and life. I just finished reading it and loved it. "
— Emily, 10/23/2008
About Homer Hickam
Homer Hickam is the author of the New York Times bestseller Rocket Boys, which was made into the acclaimed movie October Sky. He has also authored the military history bestseller Torpedo Junction, along with several other popular historical and science fiction novels. A respected amateur historian, scuba expedition leader, and military veteran, he continues to write using his personal experience and history for creative material.
About Kirsten Potter
Kirsten Potter has won several awards, including more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a three-time finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. Her work has been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and by AudioFile magazine, among many others. She graduated with highest honors from Boston University and has performed on stage and in film and television, including roles on Medium, Bones, and Judging Amy.