A Chilhowee Lily / 1911

Name: A Chilhowee Lily / 1911
Author: Charles Egbert Craddock

By Charles Egbert Craddock

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American Literature

About This Book

A moonlit mountain scene follows a small group of local men pausing on a rocky ridge, where striking white lilies punctuate the wild landscape. Their talk moves from the delicate beauty of the flowers to practical matters — a chained bear, hunting spoils, and dogs — and then to darker concerns: recent mine disasters, robbery rumors, strikes, and the simmering gossip that shapes community life. Rich visual description and regional speech contrast the fragility of nature with human anxieties, economic strain, and scheming, sketching intimate portraits of rural relations and the tensions between survival and aspiration.

About the Author

Charles Egbert Craddock

Charles Egbert Craddock was the pen name of Mary Noailles Murfree, an American author known for her vivid depictions of life in the Southern Appalachian region. Active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, she contributed significantly to the literary heritage of the American South through her short stories and novels. Her works often explore themes of nature, local culture, and the complexities of rural life. Notable titles include 'way down in Lonesome Cove, which showcases her skill in capturing the essence of the Tennessee mountains, and A Chilhowee Lily, reflecting her deep connection to the landscape and its people.