Milk Glass Moon by Adriana Trigiani (2003, Paperback, Reprint)

Simply the best woman writer in America. She writes with pictures, emotions, humor and intelligence. The characters are real, vibrate with life. I have read everything she has written. I adore her work.

This book is the third in a series beginning with Big Stone Gap. The next is Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon and finally Return to Big Stone Gap. By the time you have read all four you will fall in love with the people of this little coal mining town in Virginia. Adriana Trigiani truly brings these characters alive. Since the main character, Ave Maria Mulligan, is the only "Eye-talian" in the town she adds her own distinct charm. Basically it is the story of a young woman in her early 30's beginning in 1970's and how she marries, has children, and deals with the time her daughter leaves home.(Sound Familiar?) Two of my favorite characters are her best friends, Iva Lou and Fleeta. They reminded me of Dolly Parton and Minnie Pearl with an attitude. Wonderful reading. You laugh and cry with the main character and how she deals with the many changes in her life. This particular book was one of my favorites - dealing with a teenager (I laughed out loud reading parts of this) but do yourself a favor and READ ALL FOUR BOOKS. Highly Recommend.
As a side point the author did some writing for the Cosby Show and she is now working on a movie Big Stone Gap.

This book was a great ending to a great trilogy...I suggest that anyone read this book....and Big Stone Gap ....Its describes the characters of southwest va with the most endearing southern charm

Wonderful book. A very easy and enjoyable read. Check out the Stone Gap Trilogy by the same Author.

I am not enjoying the third book in this series as much as I enjoyed the first two, but I will definitely finish the book. I love the charaters and place, but feel that author could not find a good story for the "middle" book--this is often the case in a series. However, I have already ordered the forth book in this series.

Loved the whole series, and this book as well. Great read! Adriana Trigiani writes so well, you don't want to put her books down. I kept this series to read it again in a year or so!!!