Writing a novel is a commendable and tough job in itself, and what’s even more challenging is creating a series where each book grabs the readers’ attention from start to finish.
For a talented author like Adriana Trigiani, however, this task seems more like a walk in the park, as is evident from the many series she has written so far. Among those many series, the Big Stone Gap series is one that’s super popular and beloved.
Containing four books in total, the second book is titled Big Cherry Holler and wonderfully carries on the story of the series, picking up at a point in the future from the events described in the first book.
It’s often said that the second book in a series cannot compare to the charm of the first one, but Trigiani doesn’t let Big Cherry Holler fall under the trap of the ‘second book syndrome.’ It seamlessly re-introduces the readers to the protagonist’s world and makes them feel like they never left.
In this article, we will be discussing the summary of Big Cherry Holler, the novel’s characters, and some of the wonderful quotes that can be found in the book.
| Title | Big Cherry Holler |
|---|---|
| Author | Adriana Trigiani |
| Publication Year | 2001 |
| Genre | Novel, Humor, Domestic Fiction |
| Setting | Big Stone Gap, Virginia |
| Protagonist | Ave Maria Mulligan |
| Antagonist | Jack MacChesney |
| Themes | Love and Marriage, Self-Discovery, Community and Belonging |
| Plot Summary | Big Cherry Holler is the second installment in the Big Stone Gap series by Adriana Trigiani. Set in the small town of Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the story follows Ave Maria Mulligan, a pharmacist and the town's self-appointed spinster. After years of marriage to her beloved husband, Jack MacChesney, Ave Maria faces a troubled relationship that challenges her loyalty and forces her to reevaluate her life. |
| Major Characters | Ave Maria Mulligan, Jack MacChesney, Etta, Pearl Grimes |
| Literary Significance | Adriana Trigiani's Big Cherry Holler, like the rest of the Big Stone Gap series, has gained acclaim for its engaging storytelling, vivid portrayal of Appalachian culture, and relatable characters. Trigiani's ability to tackle complex emotional themes with humor and sensitivity has resonated with readers. The novel continues the development of Ave Maria's character and offers a heartfelt exploration of love, marriage, and personal growth in the face of adversity. |
Before we get to the events of Big Cherry Holler, it is important to know everything that happened in the first book titled Big Stone Gap. We learn that the year is 1978, and the setting is the quaint little town of Big Stone Gap, which is where the protagonist, Ave Maria Mulligan, resides.
She is a 35-year-old local pharmacist who dons several hats, including being the director of the Outdoor Drama and the co-captain of the Rescue Squad. Ave is quite happy with the pace of her life until everything turns upside down.
A letter from her dead mother reveals that she had lied to her about who Ave’s father was, and Ave is now determined to uncover all the hidden secrets. She finds herself trying to avoid marriage proposals and dealing with greedy relatives.
The readers are informed of a character named Jack MacChesney, who is smitten with Ave, and the two of them get married at the end of the novel.
When Big Cherry Holler begins, we’re told that it has been eight years since the wedding of Ave and Jack. The couple has endured a lot of hardships together, which also included bidding goodbye to Joe, their three-year-old boy.
Ave feels that her marriage to Jack has lost its spark and passion. Her suspicions grow more profound when she believes that a colleague of Jack’s is interested in more than just his business, and she doubts that he might return her feelings as well.
When Jacks backs out of the trip they were supposed to make to Italy with their daughter, Ave decides to go on the vacation without him. During this period, she concocts a plan to win Jack back and make their marriage solid again.
The rest of the novel involves a maze of emotions, providing the readers with exactly the kind of nail-biting intrigue one can expect from a novel by Trigiani.
Review of Big Cherry Holler
After one is done reading the first book in the Big Stone Gap series, one might wonder if the second book will be just as entertaining. Trigiani makes that answer extremely easy to figure out from the beginning of Big Cherry Holler.
The writer wastes absolutely no time in plunging her readers into the heart of the action, fast-forwarding the timeline, and getting us reacquainted with the characters we come to love through the first book.
By creating a protagonist like Ave Maria, she gives her readers a heroine with a terrific character arc. You laugh with her, cry with her, feel sorry for her, and cheer her on as she enjoys her wins and accomplishments.
The minor characters written by Trigiani are also well-developed and substantially fleshed out. The writer combines comedy with women’s fiction as effortlessly as ever.
As Trigiani causes an amalgamation of serious subjects with lighthearted humor, the readers find themselves aboard a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps riding high until the very last chapter.
Characters in the novel “Big Cherry Holler”
Trigiani has created a wide array of interesting characters that populate the pages of Big Cherry Holler. A couple of the ones we meet in this novel include:
1. Ave Maria Mulligan
Ave is the protagonist of the novel and the entire series. In the first book, she starts out as a 35-year-old unmarried woman, and by the time the events of the second book come around, she is married and also a mother.
2. Jack MacChesney
The first book informs the readers that Jack has feelings for Ave. The two eventually get married and have kids.
3. Etta
Etta is Ave and Jack’s daughter. She is shown as a young girl in the novel.
4. Pearl Grimes
Pearl is a shy mountain girl. Her personality develops quite a lot as the series moves along.
QUOTES
Trigiani always fills her books with witty dialogues and memorable quotes. Some of the best ones from this novel are as follows:
“All the things I thought I was – simple and plain and sometime funny – are very small words. They do not begin to describe me. They do not begin to express what is inside of me. I have value, and I have worth. I cannot be replaced like old shoes or taken for granted like tap water.”
“How fragile love is. How delicate and small in its first buds, when it’s just an idea, a wish filled with hope. It is so easy to turn away from it entirely and choose to live alone in your own private fear.”
“Somewhere in my past, I learned that if you separate yourself, you don’t get hurt. Pain can be avoided.”
“I was holding on so tightly to being right, to being perfect. There is only one lesson in all of this; let go. And when you think you’ve let go completely, let go again.”
Conclusion
Trigiani’s writing feels like a warm hug from an old friend, and that’s exactly the kind of feeling a reader experiences when they pick up Big Cherry Holler after having read the first book in the series.
The writer creates such an intriguing and colorful world that you can’t help but be mesmerized by the happenings in Ave Maria’s life.
Whether you’re re-reading this series for the umpteenth time or picking it up for the first time ever, you’re sure to be enchanted by the delightful twists and turns the story has to offer.
