This is one of my favorite books. Perhaps you’ve read it. Or maybe you’re more familiar with the dramatic 1994 made-for-TV movie and TV series which followed. Here’s the basic story line as printed on the back cover of my copy of Christy …
January 1912. A train winds through the snowy vastness of the Smokies, carrying young Christy Huddleston toward a new life in the mountain hamlet of Cutter Gap. There, as the teacher at a mission school, she will come to know and care for the wild highland people with their fierce pride, terrible poverty, dark superstitions … and desire for beauty and truth.
In a culture with its own code of ethics, where moonshine is the economic backbone and blood feuds are a way of life, Christy’s faith will be tested by questions too pressing to ignore. She will discover a trustworthy mentor, friendship and wisdom in unexpected places, and a vision that will bring hope to this primitive community. And through two remarkable men — a preacher torn by doubt and a doctor whose wounded soul needs healing — she will grapple with the nature of love.
Cutter Gap is a fictional place, but it’s based closely on real communities in Cocke County, Tennessee. When I first read Christy I never dreamed that I would live in Tennessee — much less a short 45-minute drive from Cocke County — but I do. Believe it or not, almost a century after the 1912 setting of Christy, if you go far enough into the mountains, there are still places in that county where little has changed. Amazing …
Christy, published in 1967, is the story of author Catherine Marshall’s own mother, Leonora Whitaker Wood, whose experiences as a Tennessee mountain school teacher worked their way into many of the tales she told her young daughter. According to the book’s prologue, a late-in-life Leonora said, “The story aches to be told, Catherine …” And so the adult daughter told the story — through the eyes of her once-young mother, skillfully blending fact and fiction. The result was Christy: “a story of faith beyond measure and courage beyond belief.”
Last weekend, I attended a local auction where an author-signed first edition copy of Christy sold for $10 …
to me.
It’s kind of sad that I was the only bidder for such an inspiring masterpiece of a novel.
But I’m happy to be its newest caretaker …
If you haven’t read Christy, I hope you’ll consider heading to the library.
As for me, I think it’s time to read it again …
I haven’t thought of this book in ages. I think I’ll go find a copy and read it this weekend. Put soup in the crock pot, find a cozy corner and read. Thanks for the inspiration!
One of my all-time favorite books. What a treasure you have been blessed with 🙂
Blessings!
Gail
I have heard of the book, Susan, but I’ve never actualy read it. I do, however, have a cousin by that name, and something tells me that her mother was a fan of the book. She’s a devout Christian and no doubt read it as a teenager. On your recommendation, I would like to read it!
XO,
Sheila 🙂
LOVE this book! One of my very favorites! I waited FOREVER for the series to be put on DVD! You are so lucky to have a first edition! How awesome! WOW!
m ^..^
What a treasure!! I am another one who loved the book (and the TV version).
I can’t believe you got it for ten bucks.
Wow, lucky you! Christy is one of my all-time favorite books, and I’ve read it numerous times since first reading it as a teenager. I know you’ll prize this copy!
What a wonderful find! My mom, younger sister and I have been Christy fans for many years. I live in NC and my family lives in Illinois. Several years ago, during their trips to NC to visit, they discovered the Christy set nestled in the TN mountains. I was lucky to be with them one year and go to see it myself. How fun and exciting it was to see the buildings that were used in the TV series! I soooo miss that show and wish there were those kind of shows on TV today. I plan to purchase a copy of the series and the book to share with my granddaughter someday as she is not quite 2 years old now. Thank you for sharing your awesome find! I guess it was a good thing I wasn’t the auction too, you may have been outbid! 🙂
Susan, I loved the television series though I confess I have never read the book. What a find for you! I dearly love old books and it must be particularly satisfying to find a first edition signed copy by such a lovely author! 🙂
Thanks for the stop by. I have not read the book but loved the TV series. I think you should think the book was meant for you and so lucky to just pay $10. I should get the book for my daughter who is twelve. I feel the same about an author named Rosamunde Pilcher. Don’t know if you have heard of her but I have all of her books and reread them all the time.
My Mum loves these books. How amazing that you got an author-signed copy. You lucky thing!
I think I’ll ask my Mum if I can borrow hers after reading your great review.
Thank you!
How lucky for you to win the autographed copy. Happy Pink Saturday.
I read the book and watched the series-the ending turned out differently than I would have thought-but I really enjoyed them both!
Yhank you for stopping by my place, I am a follower and I will be enjoying my visits to your inspiring postings.
See you soon.
xx
Dore
After this glowing review, I’ll look forward to reserving it from my library!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and your sweet comments. I was so happy to hear I’m not alone with my time dilemma! Big hugs, Debbie @ Cottage Hann~Me~Downs
I **LOVED** that book. I read it years ago, when I was still a teenager …. (will it give away how old I am if I tell you that was way back in the 70’s?) How wonderful that you have a copy signed by the author.
Interesting tidbit about Catherine Marshall- she was married to Peter Marshall, who served as chaplain in the United States Senate for years.