The Coalwood Way (The Coalwood Series #2) by Homer Hickam Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Coalwood Way (The Coalwood Series #2)
Book Review: A thoroughly pleasing "equal"
Summary: 5 Stars
The Coalwood Way is a wonderfully written, engaging book. I am a bona fide Homer (Sonny) Hickam "groupie," I'll confess. I eagerly look forward to all his books but especially his memoirs about Coalwood. This book is simply wonderful entertainment written in such beautifully flowing prose that it's easy to forget you're reading a book. Instead, you find yourself lost in the magnificent little town of Coalwood and its colorful and engaging citizenry. If all you know of this story is the movie October Sky, forget it. The movie is a surface treatment of a magnificent and deep story of life and love in Coalwood in the 1950's and early 1960's. The movie was a Hollywood treatment that left out the better parts of Homer's books. Homer is called Sonny in these books and, of course, his dad is Homer (Senior). It's just one place the movie got it all wrong. There is a Christmas aspect to The Coalwood Way that is exciting and strangely satisfying (I'm Jewish). For one of the few times in my life, I was able to understand the Christmas spirit. Sonny Hickam taught me that in his delightful way. This book made me laugh and it made me cry. What else could possibly be wanted from a book than that? Highly, highly, highly recommended.Book Review: Rocket Boys Redux-a Nice Trip!
Summary: 5 Stars
I liked The Coalwood Way very much. It is every bit as good as Rocket Boys. I found myself laughing in many places and sad in others. In this book, Hickam revisits incidents covered only briefly in Rocket Boys, but don't worry. There's plenty of new material here to entertain. This time, though, the town of Coalwood takes more of a major role. We get to know both new and familiar characters as they alternately cope with and enjoy life in Coalwood.
It is a vastly satisfying read!
Book Review: WV resident
Summary: 4 Stars
This is an excellent read--especially about a place we can all relate to. There is a little of Coalwood in us all. I recommend this book to anyone interested in life's lessons from a practical point of view. Although, I must admit I did enjoy "Rocket Boys" much better, this is more enjoyable than most follow-up books. In addition, the movie "October Sky" is a must see.Book Review: Gentle, evocative, loving
Summary: 5 Stars
Homer Hickam has done it again, writing a worthy successor to his "Rocket Boys". We return to his West Virginia coal town where we meet the characters of his first book, and some new ones as well, all skillfully drawn. Tragedy and comedy are woven together, tears and laughter intermingle as the townspeople draw us into this gentle, somewhat sentimental portrayal of "company town" life. Hickam's own journey into self-aware adulthood is an underlying theme. Like the high school girls in his tale, many women readers will find themselves falling in love with its author!Book Review: Tremendous!
Summary: 5 Stars
Another excellent read from Homer Hickam! I can never truly know what it was like to grow up in Coalwood and to understand this small mining community's ways. But, for a brief time while reading this book I felt as if I had lived there, felt the turmoil, confusion, bitterness, love and happiness Mr. Hickam writes about. Homer Hickam does an excellent job of painting pictures with words.