Retter, A Novel of the Mountains
Amy Ammons Garza
0-595-15764-5DESCRIPTION:
Based in the Western North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains, the
book “Retter” is a retelling of the stories Tom Ammons told his
granddaughter about his wife, Retter, and how they met, married and
how she saved his life. The story begins when at 5 years old,
Retter sits on the knee of 20-year old Tom Ammons and eats
cornbread and buttermilk. In jest, Tom promises to come back when
she grows up and marry the little girl. Tom leaves the mountains to
become a gambler on a Mississippi Riverboat. 10 years later he
returns and meets the 15 year old Retter. A love story ensues, with
Retter and Tom marrying and moving to the top of Cullowhee
Mountain, Jackson County, NC. The story follows the trail of the
lives of the two, telling of the troubles Retter encounters when
Tom, at the age of 39, is knocked off a railroad tressle and almost
every bone in his body is broken. Retter saves Tom’s life through
the use of a remedy taught to her by a Cherokee grandfather,
“Charlie;” With Tom now crippled, Retter takes over most of the
breadwinning for their family that now has grown to five children.
The story continues with the births of four more children in the
wilderness of Cullowhee Mountain in the ‘30’s and ‘40’s...true
stories that give my family roots!
ISBN 0-595-15764-5 — $16.00.
EXCERPT:
The snow let up a little as they left the
lumber camp. Already there was about an inch on the ground. There
was no wind blowing. It was quiet and still as mother and sons
trudged over the snow-covered path.
Almost immediately Retter knew they weren't
alone. This time she could hear footsteps up above the trail, in
the shadows. When she stopped, the footsteps stopped. When she
started, they started. This went on for a quarter of an hour.
Retter believed she could hear heavy breathing, or did she imagine
it?
The day got darker, the snow began to fall
again, and the wind began to blow against Retter's back. The
pat...pat...pat up above her continued.
"Bryson, hurry on there, son. This storm is
bearing down on us."
Jim had come back to his mother and was holding
onto her dress, his tied legs going as fast as they could. They
were about three-fourths of the way home when Retter realized the
sound of the footsteps was gone. Apprehension grew in her because
this could mean only one of two things: that it had
left, or that it had gone on ahead of them.
At the next bend in the trail, there was a large oak tree with a limb that protruded out over the path. It was here the half-grown, half-starved black panther waited for Retter and her three children. His crazed hungry eyes gleamed as he pawed the limb of the tree, his claws digging into the bark. He had watched these people for two days now, and he knew they would put up little fight. They weren't as big as the others who had invaded his woods. Soon, they would be here. Saliva dripped from his open mouth, his large black tail swished slowly from side to side. He waited.
REVIEWS:
Amy Garza dreamed that her grandfather asked that she write down stories he had told her about her grandmother. She couldn't get it out of her mind and became convinced she must do as directed in the dream. The result is Retter, a believable and sympathetic book which reflects Ms. Garza's ability to listen with her heart. Retter Coggins Ammons, born in the late 1800s, lived all her life in the mountains of North Carolina, near Tuckaseegee . She learned herbal medicine from her Indian grandfather and was guided by a "spirit language" she attributed to her Indian heritage. Retter fell in love with Tom Ammons, married him at 15 and birthed 11 children. She struggled with the deaths of two babies, alcoholism , a disabled husband, and hard times; and yet, she triumphed. Amy Garza's willingness to write about her grandmother's weaknesses as well as strengths helps create a uniquely realistic portrayal of mountain life. This is not a book where a saintly grandmother weaves, quilts, sings ballads, and lives a life of perfection. Nor is it a sensationalized accounting of people defeated by poverty and unable to see beauty or feel hope. Instead Ms. Graza has validated so much of what I think her grandmother would have wanted to pass on: ways of knowing by listening with your soul, not letting life get you down, making do, keeping your pride, and the power of love. The strength of Amy Garza's book is found in her sensitivity. Although she demonstrates her ability to tell a story effectively, Retter is unlikely to win rave reviews from people concerned with sophisticated literary techniques or with precise, comprehensive historical writing . Nevertheless, there is an emotional language throughout this book which doesn't falter and which shines with love and warmth. I think Retter'd be proud.—by C Brosi · 1988
1988 Synopis--5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Mountain Novel This is a true and wonderful story of the brave and loving Coggins and Ammons families. The era is in the early 1920's in the breathtaking mountain area of the western corner of North Carolina. You can tell from the first page the love for family and these mountains that this author feels. The description's are fantastic and the story moves at a fast pace. If you want a glimpse of mountain courage, and feel the pain and hardships these people had to bear, I highly recommend you read about Retter and her family. Through good times and bad she was a remarkable woman. —Barbara Ballew
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