ABOVE THE FOG Is a Simple Story Beautifully Written

ABOVE THE FOG by Karen Lynn Nolan

Since I binged all six seasons of “Justified” I have become obsessed with all things Kentucky.Therefore I was primed to enjoy Karen Lynn Nolan’s new novel ABOVE THE FOG as it tells a story about characters who live in that state. It is a book that centers on the harsh side of Kentucky, the area in the hollers that sprang up near the coal mines.

The story centers on three generations of one family. It tells of the grandmother, her daughter and her granddaughter. All three women have been damaged both emotionally and physically by the daughter’s husband Vernon. The mother, Sarah, has withdrawn so much into herself she is hardly existing. Her mother, Mamaw. has been left partially crippled by her run in with the man. Sarah’s daughter suffers from the threat of physical violence from her father and also is emotionally abused by her mother. In total the three women are not in a great place.

Then a major tragic occurrence takes place which casts all three women adrift. Do they sink or do they swim, do they rise or do they fall. The answer may well be in the community that borders the holler in which the three women lived. Can people rise to the occasion and help those in need or do they turn their backs and let the chips fall where they might. This is the core of ABOVE THE FOG and it is at the heart of Karen Lynn Nolan’s storytelling skills.

This book is simple in its storytelling. Events happen and reactions follow. The characters put their feet on the ground and walk one step at a time. The reader gets to follow each of the main female characters and learn what caused their heartache and what provides their hope. It is a testament to Nolan’s belief in her story that readers will find three indelible characters in this book, characters who will reside in their hearts and minds long after the story has ended.

In this time of a multitude of new books being released each week or even each day, some valuable stories get lost in the crowd. I urge you to seek out this novel by Karen Lynn Nolan. She has poured her heart out to you by creating a world you may not have explored very often. Her book is raw in places as it examines true poverty of money, but also true wealth of humanity.

As I stated this is a story simply told but in its simplicity there is great beauty. Mamaw, Sarah and Coreen are people worth knowing. ABOVE THE FOG gives you that chance.

ABOVE THE FOG is published by Firefly. It contains 260 pages and sells for $9.99.

Jackie K Cooper

www.jackiekcooper.com