The Ballad of Falling Rock
by Jordan Dotson
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Pub Date Sep 24 2024 | Archive Date Mar 31 2024
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Description
Truth told, folks still ask if Saul Crabtree sold his soul for the perfect hymn. If he sold it to angels or devils. A Bristol newspaper once asked: “are his love songs closer to heaven than dying?” Others wonder how he wrote a song so sad, everyone who heard it died of a broken heart.
Yet, more than anything else folks ponder in the town of Trinity, one question lingers: why did this angel-toned preacher’s son, just as his fame seemed ready to light the Appalachian nightsky forever, disappear completely?
In 1938, the decisions Saul makes will alter his family’s story for generations. He and his eerily talented descendants ignite religious fear throughout Red Pine County. They navigate chapels, decaying sanatoriums, high school hallways, and a lingering myth from their Cherokee heritage that follows them wherever they go.
In the end, however, it’s Saul’s precocious grandson, Eli, who must find answers to these heartbreaking questions, who must enter this world rich in music and voices, where people die to hear the unspoken, and salvation is only found in the not-yet sung.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
“A mesmerizing exploration of music, family and fate. From the opening lines...Jordan creates a world that is singular — yet alive with voices — the words, desires and rhythms of others, a polyphony of peers, family, society and self.” —Madeleine Thien, Booker Prize shortlisted author of Do Not Say We Have Nothing
“From the first page, Jordan Dotson's novel FALLING ROCK, crackles with energy and joy. Set in Virginia's Appalachia, Saul and Eli, separated by secrets but bound by blood and their musical talent, are complicated and compelling characters who must navigate a world both mysterious and magical, a world I didn't want to leave.” —Sybil Baker, IPPY Silver Medal-winning author of While You Were Gone
Marketing Plan
- Indie Next List & Library Reads Nomination
- National Review Coverage
- Extensive marketing to Booksellers, Librarians, and Book Influencers
- Digital ARCs on Edelweiss, NetGalley & LibraryThing
- Targeted Consumer Email Marketing
- Extensive Social Media Promotion
Key Selling Points:
- The Ballad of Falling Rock will appeal to fans of Bloodroot by Amy Greene and A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House.
- While this is Jordan Dotson’s debut novel, his short fiction received the 2019 Editors’ Prize from Scoundrel Time, as well as a Pushcart Prize nomination.
- The novel is filled with beautiful and descriptive writing that turns Appalachian Virginia, as well as the country and folk music of the area into characters of the story.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781643973647 |
| PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 368 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Nicole H, Reviewer
I’m worried that any review I make about this book will never do it justice. This was the most beautiful story ever written about the saddest song ever sung. I was taken on a journey across generations where love, family and music; however complicated, overpowered all else.
The character development and incredible imagery felt like I was living along with the Crabtree family. I experienced heartache, anger, hope, and joy while embarking on this journey with Saul, Lee and Eli. This is the first book that I have taken to my dreams with me and the characters have solidified a place in my heart. I will compare my experience in reading this to that of those within the novel hearing the generational tales as I will carry this with me for a long time. Music has held a high place amongst my family and to feel the passion and devastation in the risk of music being lost was such a powerful feeling.
Jordan Dotson has a true gift, much like the main characters in this novel. It reads like poetry and I cannot wait for this book to release because I will be buying numerous copies. This is the first novel where I have highlighted SEVERAL quotes because they were absolutely beautiful.
I am absolutely blown away at this being my first ARC review and I am grateful for the author and publisher.
Martin M, Librarian
BHC Press provided an early galley for review.
Broken into two "books", the first half runs from the late 1930's into the early 1950's. Dotson does a wonderful job giving the prose and the dialogue a very time-appropriate feel and sound. He takes an old-time melodic and very poetic approach here that is very fitting. I felt it had that classic literature vibe to it.
The second half, starting in 1988, reads in a more contemporary voice. Again, it fits with the portion of the story being told. The fact that Dotson can switch those narrative style gears and continue to keep an engaging story moving forward speaks well of his writing abilities.
Of course, at the heart of this supernatural-tinged tale is a family of several generations that the reader gets to know across the novel. Most readers will be very engaged and eager to know what is really going on. My only quibble is that several of the character names are very similar, which might provide a hint of confusion for a reader who isn't taking in the tale with care.
Jessica H, Reviewer
Words… what words could I possibly bring forth to really describe this book… I read voraciously, most genres, across different time periods, and yet very few books have hit me as hard as this one…
I constantly felt as if I was sitting by the fire pit, listening intently to a storyteller spinning the tale of Falling Rock, the Crabtree family, a blue crystal locket, and a song…
I cannot remember the last book that made me smile, laugh, worry, hold my breath, and feel like my heart would break…
Dotson’s way with words is absolutely breathtaking. I can hear the characters and feel the music.
This is a must read book, without doubt.
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