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Sky of Stone: A Memoir Audiobook
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(4.03) - 408 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In the summer of '61, Homer "Sonny" Hickam, a year of college behind him, is dreaming of sandy beaches and rocket ships. But before Sonny can reach the seaside fixer-upper where his mother is spending the summer, a telephone call sends him back to the place he thought he had escaped, the gritty coal-mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia. There, Sonny's father, the mine's superintendent, has been accused of negligence in a man's death. Sonny's mother, Elsie, has commanded her son to spend the summer in Coalwood to support his father. But within hours of his arrival, Sonny realizes two things: His father, always cold and distant with his second son, doesn't want him there... and his parents' marriage has begun to unravel. For Sonny, so begins a summer of discovery - a time when he will learn about love, loss, and a closely guarded secret that threatens to destroy his father and his town. As the days of summer grow shorter, Sonny finds himself changing in surprising ways, taking the first real steps toward adulthood. But it's a journey he can make only by unraveling the story of a man's death and a father's secret - the mysteries that lie at the heart of Coalwood.
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"Homer Hickam continues to astound me with the touching and funny and marvelous writing he does about his life as a coal town "boy". This episode, the last in his trilogy about Coalwood, WV, is set the summer of 1962. This is the summer after his first year of college and it is an amazing tale involving secrets, lies, growing and learning. Sonny (Homer's boyhood nickname) does most of the growing and spends a lot of time trying to uncover the secrets and the lies. Anyone who wants to see the good in life, even in hard times, should read this trilogy - it is a wonderful journey from someone who went from a coal mine in West Virginia to an engineer for NASA who has traveled the world."
— Patty (4 out of 5 stars)
Sky of Stone Listener Reviews
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" an awesome end to the coalwood series "
— Rj, 2/12/2014 -
" This is the third book in Homer (Sonny) Hickam's Coalwood trilogy and I would be hard pressed to say which is my favorite of the three. The author is so adept at bringing back a bygone era and depicting the confusion of a young man trying to figure out his place in the world and at the same time having a sense of humor about himself. If I am ever asked if I could invite any three people in the world living or dead to dinner one choice would definately be Elsie Hickam, Sonny's mother. Now there was a lady! "
— Cheryl, 2/11/2014 -
" I just don't care much for Homer. It made it tough for me to root for him and stay interested in the book. "
— Scott, 2/8/2014 -
" In Sky of Stone, Homer Hickam returns to the small town of Coalwood West Virginia, and is confronted by the death of a miner. He wants to figure out how the miner died, but the whole of Coalwood seem to be covering it up and placing the blame squarely on Homer's dad. Doing a little investigating on his own, Homer discovers the secret. Very interesting story, interesting twist and a look into the life of Coalwood, West Virginia. "
— Sarah, 1/26/2014 -
" Great finish to a wonderful series.....I loved these books so much, I actually plan to go to Coalwood Days in October in Mcdowell County WV "
— Shywvgrl, 1/22/2014 -
" I really like Hickham's humor and style! "
— James, 1/20/2014 -
" Good story... about a mining town in West Virginia... "
— Richard, 12/20/2013 -
" Loved this book...I love Homer Hickam's writing style. He is so good at painting a picture for the reader! I plan on owning this one some day. "
— Melissa, 11/30/2013 -
" Once again Homer doesn't disappoint. A really good read. "
— Sean, 11/29/2013 -
" I really like his writing style. "
— Whitney, 11/22/2013 -
" I love his writing. I've read a few of his now. This was kind of a mystery in a story about relationships. I really loved the last two lines of the Epilogue which gives credit to God and how there are miracles all around us if we just try to see them. "
— Elana, 5/3/2013 -
" Definitely worth a read if you liked Rocket Boys "
— Ronen, 3/9/2013 -
" I read this book in 2 days, that is how much I enjoyed it. Most of the book reads fast, there was just one chapter that I skimmed over. "
— Sara, 1/24/2013 -
" A young man's journey growing up in a coal mining town of West Virginia provides memorable insights into the fabric and culture of the mining community. A good description of the frailties and strengths of the human condition. "
— Betty, 9/17/2012 -
" Third book of the Coalwood series... very good. "
— Scott, 7/9/2012 -
" Not as good as the Coalwood Way, but satisfying enough. "
— Cindy, 3/5/2012 -
" More stories from Coalwood, West Virginia, from Homer Hickam. It's not as good as Rocket Boys (AKA October Sky), but it's still good and full of great stories. "
— Amy, 2/17/2012 -
" The 3rd in the series about the author's growing up in Coalwood, West Virginia where he first dreamed of building rockets and working for NASA. "
— Lauren, 10/18/2011 -
" I really like the Homer Hickam work I have read so far. This is another autobiographical work covering the summer after Homer's freshman year in college. "
— Ellis, 6/25/2011 -
" Not as good as the Coalwood Way, but satisfying enough. "
— Cindy, 4/17/2011 -
" I just don't care much for Homer. It made it tough for me to root for him and stay interested in the book. "
— Scott, 12/8/2010 -
" I read this book in 2 days, that is how much I enjoyed it. Most of the book reads fast, there was just one chapter that I skimmed over. "
— Sara, 1/9/2010 -
" Loved this book...I love Homer Hickam's writing style. He is so good at painting a picture for the reader! I plan on owning this one some day. "
— Melissa, 11/23/2009 -
" A young man's journey growing up in a coal mining town of West Virginia provides memorable insights into the fabric and culture of the mining community. A good description of the frailties and strengths of the human condition. "
— Betty, 2/22/2009 -
" This is the third and final in series - Jesse's reading now - I'm next. <br/> <br/> <br/>Fabulous series of books. I want to own them!!! "
— Say, 12/22/2008 -
" The 3rd in the series about the author's growing up in Coalwood, West Virginia where he first dreamed of building rockets and working for NASA. "
— Lauren, 6/26/2008 -
" Definitely worth a read if you liked Rocket Boys "
— Ronen, 3/30/2008 -
" I really like the Homer Hickam work I have read so far. This is another autobiographical work covering the summer after Homer's freshman year in college. "
— Ellis, 12/30/2007 -
" More stories from Coalwood, West Virginia, from Homer Hickam. It's not as good as Rocket Boys (AKA October Sky), but it's still good and full of great stories. "
— Amy, 12/4/2007
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 Dick Hill
Dick Hill, named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, is one of the most awarded narrators in the business, having earned several Audie Awards and thirty-four AudioFile Earphones Awards. In addition to narrating, he has both acted in and written for the theater.