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Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite
The Tale of the Winding Willows by E. Hudson will appeal to fans of fantasy, social issues, literary fiction, fairy tales, and short stories with a supernatural twist. Goodwin Able is a hard worker in Appalachia, Eastern Kentucky. He tends his family farm and works twelve-hour shifts in a local coal mine. He is responsible for his family, as his father, Pearl, lost his leg while cutting a tree. Pearl spends his days in bed, and Goodwin's mother, Elizabeth, doesn't know how to help him. Goodwin has a secret. He can communicate with sprites inhabiting the Appalachian forests. Goodwin's family merely makes ends meet. He decides to fight for a decent wage, thus putting his life in grave danger. But someone looks after him and is ready to protect Goodwin from evil.
E. Hudson's The Tale of the Winding Willows is about horrible adversity, hope against all odds, selfless love, and self-sacrifice. This novella is bittersweet and stirring. It is a quick read, yet it leaves a lasting impression. The compelling first-person narration lets us see Appalachia's mystical splendor. In these mountains, humans live alongside the mysterious sprites that dwell in trees, rivers, or even rain and represent the powers of nature. Hudson's lyrical prose and poems evoke our imaginations. The contrast between the magnificent nature and human suffering is stark. Yet Goodwin dares to dream of a better life, encouraging us to do the same, no matter what. The author sees right through the human soul, crafting hard-to-forget characters. This novella has incredible dramatic twists and turns and a surprising ending.
