The New Valley: Novellas

This collection of three novellas is terrific. They're all set in Southwestern Virginia and explore that landscape and the people (which seemed familiar, since I had just read Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer, which is set nearby). Of the three, the most impressive is “Sarverville Remains,” which is told from the point of view of a mildly retarded man who struggles to fit into society–one of my favorite subjects. Highly recommended.