Harriette Simpson Arnow bola americká prozaička, ktorej dielo sa ponorilo do života na americkom vidieku. Jej romány skúmali zložité vzťahy medzi ľuďmi a ich prostredím, často s dôrazom na odolnosť a neústupnosť tých, ktorí žijú mimo hlavné prúdy spoločnosti. Arnow bola známa svojím prenikavým pohľadom na ľudskú povahu a svojím realistickým, ale zároveň poetickým štýlom písania. Jej príbehy rezonujú s témami identity, rodiny a hlboko zakoreneného spojenia s pôdou.
'A terrifying lesson in US history - and a haunting tragedy' GuardianGertie is the young mother of five children - uneducated, determined, strong. Gertie realises she must adapt to a life where land, family and creativity are replaced by just one thing: the constant need for money.
The narrative vividly captures the essence of Burnside, Kentucky, a once-thriving town now submerged under Lake Cumberland. Harriet Simpson Arnow reflects on her childhood experiences from 1913, painting a picture of a bustling community filled with rail and steamboat activity, alongside the charm of local stores and the grandeur of the Seven Gables Hotel. Through her memories, she intertwines personal anecdotes with the broader historical context, celebrating a way of life that has largely vanished while highlighting its significance in Kentucky's heritage.