What Momma Left Behind

What Momma Left Behind is Cindy K. Sproles's debut novel. The author takes readers to the Appalachian Mountains in the late 1870s. Worie Dressar loses her mother, her home and security in a short span of time. Influenza and typhoid are afflicting the residents of the mountain leaving numerous people dead. Worie had dreams of becoming a teacher, but there was no way she could leave her mother alone to care for the farm. Her brother, Justice took to drink after their father passed. Her other brother, Calvin is a greedy man who is also a liar and a conniver. Thankfully, Worie has good friends in Ely and Bess Merrell. She then meets Pastor Jess who will prove invaluable in helping Worie. I thought the author captured the speech of the Appalachian people along with the living conditions and their struggles. Worie is a simple person with a limited education which is evident from her speech and knowledge. Worie's mother was a woman of great faith, but it is something Worie has struggled with despite her mother's teachings. I thought What Momma Left Behind was a slow starter, but, as I got further into the book, I become more engrossed. I wanted to find out how the story would play out. There were some interesting surprises along the way. I appreciated the epilogue which nicely wrapped up the book. The story is told in the first-person from Worie's point-of-view. It gives the reader an opportunity to really understand this feisty young woman. Worie is only seventeen at the beginning when she begins taking in the orphans. I just loved Pastor Jess who kept popping up when you least expected him. Worie has a great deal to learn and understand. Her spirited nature will stand her in good stead, but Worie does need to control her temper. The one thing I did not like was how the book started. I just found it off-putting which made it hard for me to get into the story. I wish the author had put that scene in the second chapter. Faith plays a big part of the story. There are scripture passages along with religious talks. What Momma Left Behind is an interesting historical novel that gives readers a glimpse at what life was like for residents of the Appalachian Mountains in the late 1870s.