It's 1978, and 35-year-old self-appointed spinster Ave Maria Mulligan is stuck in a rut in Big Stone Gap in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. And that isn't just a metaphor for her life. As the town pharmacist, she is keeper of some of the town's secrets. But as she herself puts it, "God knows I don't get any pleasure in knowing that the town manager performs self-colonics." Ave Maria is also the drama director and an earnest member of the local rescue squad, but it's really she who needs rescuing from her drab life. She spends much of her time at the bookmobile when it comes through town, gossiping with Iva Lou, who is not your stereotypical librarian. It is through Iva Lou that Ave Maria vicariously experiences any sort of love life. But Ave Maria is soon presented with a big family secret all her own that, with a little help from her, could change her destiny. There are other things happening in Stone Gap, including a mine disaster that prompts Ave Maria to quit the rescue squad. But the Big Thing is that the legendary Elizabeth Taylor is about to visit town with her then-office-seeking husband, John Warner. The preparation for the visit and the event itself form the backdrop to Ave Marie's own drama as her secret presents her with new possibilities.
Big Stone Gap Series
This series explores the life within a seemingly sleepy Appalachian town, where tradition and family ties run deep, yet secrets and unexpected dramas lie just beneath the surface. Follow a spirited, unconventional heroine as she navigates family feuds, surprising romantic entanglements, and discovers the extraordinary stories hidden within her seemingly ordinary community. It's a vibrant tapestry of humor, heartfelt moments, and the enduring search for one's own place in the world.
Recommended Reading Order
Big Cherry Holler
- 272 pages
- 10 hours of reading
In the extraordinary sequel to BIG STONE GAP, we return to the enchanting mountain life of Adriana Trigiani’s world. Eight years have passed since Ave Maria Mulligan, the town pharmacist and long-time spinster, married coal miner Jack MacChesney. Embracing love and commitment, Ave Maria strives to create a happy life for her growing family, unaware that fate and the ghosts of her past will challenge her marriage. The protective mountain walls cannot shield her from the life lessons she must face. This narrative explores the complexities of marriage, revealing deep secrets, power struggles, betrayals, and unmet expectations between husband and wife. It also depicts a community grappling with the decline of the coal mining industry, showcasing the resilience of the people of Big Stone Gap. Key characters include Iva Lou Wade Makin, the bookmobile librarian, savvy businesswoman Pearl Grimes, and Spec Broadwater, the Rescue Squad captain navigating his double life. Ave Maria’s best friend, Theodore Tipton, now a band director, remains her trusted advisor as he achieves success. When Ave Maria takes her daughter to Italy for the summer, she encounters a handsome stranger who presents a life beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains. This forces her to confront what truly matters to her, her marriage, and her family. Rich in humor, wisdom, and the vibrant drama of mountain life, this story captures the journey of two lovers striving to rec
Milk Glass Moon
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Bestselling author Trigiani completes her successful "Big Stone Gap" trilogy with a story of a mother and daughter, the choices they confront together, and their struggles to let go.
Home to Big Stone Gap
- 352 pages
- 13 hours of reading
The changes in Ave Maria's life are seismic as Etta begins her new life in Italy, Jack Mac is stunned by unexpected news and the appearance of a mysterious stranger who comes to town to reveal a secret buried long ago. Ave Maria's world is rocked to its core, forcing her to face the past in order to build a new life.
Related books
The Big Stone Gap Trilogy
- 912 pages
- 32 hours of reading