Recently I just finished Appalachia North by Matthew Ferrence. In it, he recounts the complex relationship he still has with the land as a Northern Appalachian. Typically when I finish a book I write a Literature Appetizer to get people a taste of what they will find. Since his book is such a personal journey, I would not do it justice by recounting his life.
Many of his experiences reflect my own experience growing up in Western PA. So instead of condensing his journey, I thought I would condense mine.
The Hero’s Journey is a common literary structure where the hero of the story departs home to do a great act, and then returns victorious. My Northern Appalachian Journey is a bit different, but has a similar structure of three parts; Living in Water, Succeeding by Leaving, and The Mountains are Calling.
My parents have often joked that I grew up backwards. As a child I was quiet, serious, and always followed the rules without question. I often scolded my classmates for not doing what they were supposed to. As I have grown, I have found expressed my passion for certain subjects more and more. One of the most prominent things I get excited about is dinosaurs.
How could you not get excited about dinosaurs?
