In the clouds

Set on the bare balds and wooded coves of the Smoky Mountains, the narrative renders mountain life through vivid landscape description and the routines and disputes of its inhabitants. It centers on a contemplative herder and his more restless companion, their daily labors, occasional trips to mines, and small but telling conflicts over cattle and property. Scenes range from long, atmospheric meditations on peaks and weather to sharper incidents of injury and accusation, sketching local customs, speech, and humor. Recurring themes include solitude, attachment to place, and the tension between longing for more and the restricting weight of tradition.