My Appalachia: A Memoir
by Sidney Saylor Farr
Published by The University Press of Kentucky
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Reviewed by Beth Cummings
Sidney Saylor Farr grew up in the back hollers of southeastern Kentucky during the depression years of the 1930s. In those backwoods mountain areas, the depression was scarcely noticeable since the families lived their lives much as they had for the previous hundred years. Growing most of their own food, sewing their own clothes, and hunting for squirrel as a meat source were all taken for granted. Sidney attended a one-room school until she was eleven. At that time she had to stay home to help care for her nine younger siblings and her mother who was not well.
Luckily she loved to read and had an aunt who kept her supplied with books. To escape the drudgery of work at home, she married at age 15. Despite both verbal and physical abuse from her husband, she completed a series of correspondence courses that allowed her to get a high school diploma. Later she attended and graduated from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. While there, various projects allowed her to become known as an expert on Appalachian life – foods, traditions, folk tales and superstitions. She has written many articles on these subjects as well as three cookbooks and a book of poetry. She has also written two books on “New Age” spirituality and the work of Tom Sawyer – a man who believes he returned from near death.
Life in southeastern Kentucky in the 30s and 40s is far removed from even my mother’s growing up years in rural North Dakota. It is certainly removed from my experiences. However, Sidney Farr writes excellent descriptions and although I have never been to the area, I could understand her love for the area.
The book is well written and if it has any flaw it would be that sections seem to have been written over a long period of time, so some facts end up being repeated unnecessarily. This doesn’t really spoil an interesting account of a well-lived life.
Armchair Interviews says: Memoir of one Southern family’s struggles.