They’re all handled with a sense of authenticity. The novel does a good job of delineating the interactions between various parts of the community: the African Americans, the Melungeons, the road workers, the rich men who “own” the town, the church ladies. This project has a dramatic effect on the community, pushing many farmers (including Lum’s family) off land that their families have farmed for generations. Most of the novel occurs in the 30s, at the time that the Blue Ridge Parkway is being built. The dialogue flows effortlessly, the unique syntax presented clearly and comfortably. A lot of research must’ve gone into this book, with its details about daily farm life, and yet it all feels very natural. This well-written novel tells the story of Lum (short for Columbia), an intersex woman born into a farm family in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the early part of the 20th century. It is a story that you will not be able to put down and you will be left wondering “what is Lum doing now?” Lum is a wonderful story full of frustration, sadness and strength. He let her me herself no matter what that meant. He was such a surprise and made her life more her own and not her family’s. Her strength to stand by people she respected no matter what they looked like was admirable and put her above others in her community. She seemed to be young and child-like when she played with her cards and not the grown woman she should be.įinally, I felt strength. Those postcards portrayed her only friends and their stories she created – her only escape. Every time Lum played with her postcards of carnival performers (refuse to call them freaks), I felt a pang of sadness for her. There was a prevailing layer of sadness throughout the book. In the end, it was Lum’s frustration that was able to free her.Īnother emotion I felt was sadness. She is at the very bottom of her family hierarchy even though she is hardworking and bright.

It was common during that time for unmarried women to remain with their families and be considered a “burden.” Lum is basically unpaid laborer for her family. Lum’s frustration, of course, rises above the rest. It seems character is feeling frustrated with their lot in life which is very appropriate for that time. The main emotion of this book is frustration. Further, Lum tells the story of a woman completely dependent who longs for a worthy and independent life. However, back in the 1930s, those “issues” will ostracize you from friends, family and your community. Lum is a very thoughtful and provocative book about an unmarried woman dealing issues that are still relevant today.

Lum by Libby Ware