The Ballad of Tom Dooley: A Ballad Novel Audiobook

" I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Sharyn McCrumb does an excellent job of evoking the desperation of life (especially for women)in post-Civil War Appalachia. Although none of the main characters are admirable, they are compelling and McCrumb's skills move the story along nicely. "

" I have enjoyed Sharon McCrumb since she wrote Bimbos of the Death Sun. I loved ( and sorely missed) the Elizabeth MacPherson novels. I lived with my family in West Virginia for 11 years and the people and the place seemed so much like home the ballad novels brought a feeling of nostalgia and longing for that time. Ms.McCrumb's writing made you feel as if you were back there again. Having said all that I had a hard time even giving this latest book 3 stars. The people I knew in WV were mostly the type of people you would want for friends, family and neighbors. I wouldn't want anyone in this book in the same state as me let alone in the same town. Even the people with some redeeming qualities such as James Melton and The lawyer Vance, were unsympathetic. James was a colorless wimp and Vance was an opportunistic social climber. The other characters had so little to redeem them they became wooden and soulless. it's depressing and difficult to read a book with characters you care so little about. I have loved Ms. McCrumb's books and I liked the ballad of Tom Dooley. Not anymore. "

" A good story. Fascinating to learn what was behind the ballad. "

" Just didn't hold my interest. Nasty, not credible narrator. Intriguing idea-- true story behind folk song. Author claims evidence in the trial transcripts to support every assumption she made. May have just had too much description of the beautiful locale to wade through and too little character development. No sympathetic characters, either. "

" Spins a great story, but I'm not entirely sure that the people in Wilkes County, NC will appreciate the book because it is so different than the original legend. "

" Although this is necessarily historical fiction, it is based on the author's thorough research of the evidence available concerning the Tom Duly case. I heard Sharyn McCrumb talk about her new book at a book signing event just before I read it. She made a convincing case for conclusions on which she based her narrative in this very readable and enjoyable book. Having recently moved to an area close to Wilkes County, NC, I found the book especially of interest. It is a good read! "

" This is a historical fiction novel about Tom Dooley! Who knew the background? I certainly didn't, but I enjoyed every word of it. McCrumb is a talented writer who obviously enjoyed the research for this novel. "

" It was okay. I read this for a Reader's Advisory class, and yeah just okay. The characters aren't very likable, and it just wasn't my thing, but it was an interesting tale, and not a bad story. If you like historical fiction, give it a try. "

" McCrumb is back to the murder ballad books that I love best! Cool choice of narrators (although I found the lawyer's narration to be a little repetitive at times). Fascinating take on the classic Tom Dooley tale.i "

" A grim tale but well-written. McCrumb tells the story from the point of view of secondary characters in the story. Was Tom Dula a noble person who took the blame for a crime he did not commit? McCrumb believes this is the case. "

" Love McCrumb. Loved the idea of exploring this historical murder mystery. Not one redeeming character in the whole cast. Unfortunately, that killed my enjoyment of the book. "

" This is the back story for the ballad of Tom Dooley--set in the post-Civil War period in the Appalachia region, it is the tale of Tom Dula, a pretty man who loved women and the trouble he sewed and the reward that he reaped. Nicely done. "

" This book was very dark. An interesting take on the Tom Dooley story. Sharyn McCrumb is the master of this area's history. "

" The backstory behind the ballad, told by an illiterate, abused bystander who has her own agenda. Desperation breeds evil. "

" Engrossing! Loved it..read it for a new book club I belong to "

" Interesting story, well told on CD. I was engrossed to learn more about this tale of love and murder. "

" I've read most of Sharyn McCrumb's ballad books and this one is similar in that she researches the history behind these old songs and writes a historical novel about them. Interesting. "