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Tobacco Moon
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by:
ISBN:
0-7414-6026-2
©2010
Price:
$23.95
Book Size:
5.5'' x 8.5''
, 532 pages
Category/Subject:
FICTION / General
This is the epic story of the people who grew the unique tobacco that made the American cigarette the most widely desired product on the planet.
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Abstract:
This is the epic story of the people who grew the unique tobacco that made the American cigarette the most widely desired product on the planet.
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Customer Reviews
Tobacco Moon Review
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12/12/2010
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Reviewer:
Riette Henri
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Mr. Giles is a powerful storyteller with a rich imagination. Drawing upon his unique personal background and utilizing both fictional and non-fictional details (see the author’s background notes at the end of the book), he has crafted a series of fictitious events with a lively cast of characters which is both a historic glimpse into the particular geographic environs and tobacco culture of Pittsylvania County, Virginia of the 20s, 30s and 40s, and a compelling tale that draws us in to the ongoing saga.
This Southern novel is set in the late 1940s - - a time when the Ku Klux Klan ruled unchecked, the mores (and morals) of young Southern women reflected their post-WWII emancipation, and we were not yet “awakened” to social and political “correctness.” The author tackles head-on issues of Southerners versus Yankees, whites versus blacks, and of course the social/health now-taboo of smoking. Older generations of Southerners reading this will recognize truth; readers of younger generations will learn a bit of it.
The protagonist Randall Carbon is a young man intent on rising from his sharecropper family background. He proves to be a quick-thinking and shrewd businessman, thus gaining the respect of community business leaders, and a smooth talker whose seductive charm serves him well with women of any class or age. He is not quite so well received, however, by the local Ku Klux Klan, and even the weather seems to be against him as he struggles with the summer drought that threatens to thwart his ambitions.
The story unfolds through Randall’s encounters with a wide-ranging array of well-articulated characters whose provocative, often witty dialogue creates a movie-vivid, page-turning tale that keeps the reader engaged and makes us want to know what happens to them. The author satisfies our interest with keen attention to detail in developing his characters and their sometimes unlikely relationships, and urges us on with one plot twist after another. Then just when we think we know where things are going, his fertile imagination outpaces us.
On almost every page of this book the reader is treated to examples of Mr. Giles’ particular talent for vivid word imagery, creating poetic verbal pictures just as surely as an artist with a paint brush produces visual images –
“Her blue wide-set eyes danced on the stage of her high sculptured cheekbones.”
“He looked back at the sunset. With a yawn, the horizon’s eyelid closed over the copper sphere, putting it to bed for the night.”
And even in the author’s end notes updating some of the actual features of his story --“Today [the building] sits deserted, the paint peeling off its walls like tears rolling down its face.”
And yes, ladies, there are wonderfully-crafted “love” scenes that will definitely warm the cockles of your heart!
Riette Henri, New Orleans LA
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My Take - Chapter by Chapter
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09/15/2011
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Reviewer:
Donna Clarkson Davis
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Well, I received my copy of Tobacco Moon in the mail today (9-12-11) around 1:30. I've read two chapters. I've smiled, chuckled, and said, "Oh my my!" ... and I have cried just a little. Not bad for only two chapters :-) Brought back memories of my working in the tobacco days as a pre-teen and teenager. I'm glad I got to experience it, but I do not miss it or the situation one bit. Glad it's in the past.
I've read through Chapter 4. As a reader, I'm currently having a love/hate relationship with Carley Girl, but I will say this, Carley Girl has got a lot of gumption. I'm a thinking that I will be loving her by the end of the book ;-)
Alright, I've read through Chapter 5. I am so loving Mr. Randall. I enjoyed this chapter immensely. I keep telling myself to get prepared...that it's going to get ugly real soon; I'd be very shocked if it doesn't. I'm glad that I am not a nail biter, because if I was, my nails would be gone by in the morning...rather, later today :-)
Okay, I've now read through Chapter 8. I'm loving Mr. Randall more and more ... not feeling any love for his brother, Joe Henry, at all. Loved the scene with Porky Paul :-) I am not going to start Chapter 9 until later today. The ugly is getting ready to go down, and I don't want to go to bed with that on my mind. I know...it's just a story, but I get too caught up in all the drama. I get mad and want to get revenge...lol
Chapter 9 was a short chapter. I'm falling more in love with Randall. People could learn some life lessons from him. Vernon has done a good job of making one wait, and wait, for the ugly that is yet to come. I know it's going to get ugly before it gets better.....just a matter of time. I've slowed down my reading a bit, because I am dreading somethings to come......know it's necessary.....it's the way life is.......just on edge...not knowing how bad it will be ...... anticipation :-)
Chapter 10--My blood is beginning to boil; I don't mean in a good way. I am praying that there will be some saving grace in the fact that one of the two wealthiest men in the county has a little control over the other one (who just happens to be the leader of the organization that has my blood boiling). I don't know if he has some of his young wise asses in line or not. We will see. The anticipation is about to get the best of me. Wouldn't want to have it any other way~~makes for a good book :-)
Chapter 11 ~~ I laughed and laughed. I could envision it all right before my eyes. Sweet, oh so sweet. Then, a little later, I could have swung a baseball bat at a few heads. That Mr. Randall knows how to take care of business, in more ways than one. Justice has been served, but there are still a couple of dumb butts that aren't through causing trouble. I'm hoping they get taught a lesson real soon with no innocent bystanders paying the price for their stupidity. We will see...on to Chapter 12.
Chapter 12 ~~~ I found this chapter to be very entertaining. If this chapter doesn't "warm" you up, you must be dead ;-)
Nice having some short chapters ...
Chapter 13 ~~ Three lovely young women, best friends, vying for the same young stallion. Ummm, wonder which one will end up with handsome stud ;-)
Chapter 14 ~~ Wipe the sweat from the brow...moonshine goal accomplished. There's a new ride for the young stallion.
I knew what mountain oysters were, but I did not know that they are removed from the young pigs so that as they grow, the meat is sweet and better tasting. You learn something new everyday ;-)
Chapters 15 & 16 ~~~ Visions and dreams can become a reality. Randall is one smart young man. Thank the Lord for the invention of the tractor pulled tobacco planter. Family can be brought together. It will be interesting to see how this invention is received by others...will there be conspiracies, jealousy ... will find out soon. The closer I'm getting to the end of Tobacco Moon, the more that I don't want it to end. Praying the next book is in the making and ready to hit the press soon :-)
Well, well, well ... Chapter 17 ~~~ My, oh my!!! If you are a smoker, you may feel the urge to fire one up; maybe a couple ;-)
On a side note ... I'm craving an ice cold Pepsi with some salted peanuts. I've been craving this ever since I started reading Tobacco Moon. Read the book ... you will be craving this, also ;-)
Well, here it is ... 3:30 a.m. on 9-15-11. I just finished reading Tobacco Moon. I must say that my emotions were running high in all directions after reading the last four chapters. I was sexually frustrated, deeply infuriated...wanted to slap someone across the face...wanted to spit nails like a nail gun. Thank goodness for the Background Chapter; it gave me some time to cool down.
I would say to Mr. Vernon Giles, "Mission accomplished! You did an excellent job in the writing of Tobacco Moon. While I may be steamed (in more ways than one) at the moment and truth be told, I would not have it any other way. You left me wanting more of Randall, Carley, Lindsey, Dixie, George and Sally. A well written story should leave you this way. Now, you need to bring on The Last Sharecropper. I anxiously await to see if things unfold to my desired outcome. You don't want to leave us hanging too long...LOL"
I loved that there was a little history lesson at the beginning of each chapter. Then, most of the time, a sales pitch for "Virginia Gold" cigarettes which happened to be laced with good ole "sweet White Oak Mountain bright leaf tobacco".
It's nice to read a book by a homegrown fellow ... to recognize the places that are mentioned. It makes you feel good, proud ... that this takes place in the county I live :)
Purchase Tobacco Moon ... You will not be disappointed!!!
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Tobacco Moon
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08/15/2016
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Reviewer:
Celia McCulty
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I lived all this, as far as the work is concerned. But I now understand what Daddy meant when he said he was looking for the "Golden Leaf" when he was grading and tying the bundles for the market. After the second priming all the leaves were graded by him, I had to take it off the stick, and he tied all the best of the best, plus saved the very best to wrap the head of the bundle. Since that is the part that showed on the basket, it impressed the auctioneer first and got a higher grade. I have to say I believe my Daddy was one of the best as far as farming was concerned. He seemed to know what to do at just the right time!! I have read this book very slowly as it is so close to my life and I have wanted to savor it as much as possible! I can't wait for the next one, hoping there is a next one. For people like me who can relate so much to this life and what it was back then. With all the new technology now, tobacco farming is so easy compared to what it was in the 40's and 50's. But there is no way I would trade my life and what I learned with Daddy and Mama for a teenager's life now!!!! We farmed from the Museville area to the Callands area, so we had that dirt you talked about in your book! Great work, Mr. Giles!!!!!
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