Looking for Native Ground

Rita Quillen has written a wonderful book, the only full-length study of Appalachian poetry I know and bound to be the best for a long time to come. She has drawn together poets we love, carefully reading them, Interpreting them, and deepening our own appreciation of their work. Her work is not only an exercise in understanding; It is an emblem of pride. Every one of us who counts himself or herself an Appalachian must be grateful to her for making us-and others as well-see clearly that we live at the most glorious literary moment our region has ever had.