A remarkable debut novel. A powerful story of friendship, love and betrayal.
In a high mountain valley, a group of disparate characters have set up a rudimentary community, held together by the formidable Emaline, hostess of the wayside inn. It is there that Alex, on the run from something, concealed under a false identity, finds refuge but that arrival brings dramatic change to Motherlode.
In the small settlement, no one asks questions about where you have come from or who you are. They all know each other's virtues and vices: the rules are few and their own justice swift, an Eden of a sort. But then Alex, who has discovered fellowship for the first time, finds gold, a large gold nugget and with that one lucky strike, gold fever hits, everyone becomes a gold digger and outsiders of all kinds pour in. Houses, stores and streets replace the tents and mud paths. Wives, preachers, lawmen come to town and try to impose their order, their form of society on what they perceive as a lawless, godless community. And the past catches up with Alex.
So will the community betray their Golden Boy? Will Alex's true identity be discovered? Will the prejudice now present in the town be able to destroy Emaline and the rich spirit of her inn? Can Motherlode survive its gold rush?
Crown of Dust presents a timeless dilemma – can freedom and society co-exist – and is peopled with a wonderful cast of characters from Joseph longing always for his Cornish moors, John with his twin passions for the bible and whisky, Limpy with his recognizable ability of always finding the main chance and a sucker to persuade, Harry with a story, apparently from his own life, suited for any situation, Emaline full of tough love and an acceptance of people and Alex, a survivor against immense odds. Mary Volner is a great discovery, a storyteller with a remarkable voice.
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Mary Volmer was born in Grass Valley, California and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She received a BA from Saint Mary's College, California, before completing a Masters degree at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth as a Rotary Scholar. She is currently the Agnes Butler Scholar at Saint Mary's College where she is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and lecturing in English/ Composition. This is her first novel.
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Crown of Dust This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780007205769
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780007205769
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. 288pp. Green cloth-covered boards, gilt titles on spine. Lightly bumped spine ends. Internally neat, clean, bright and tight Dust jacket very lightly chipped along bottom edge. Exceptional first novel of friendship, love and acceptance that grows and thrives in a harsh landscape. 8vo. Seller Inventory # 006155
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Hardcover with pictorial dustjacket in good to vg condition with just a light foxing beginning on outer page edges, well bound clean text, vg dj. Seller Inventory # ABE-1523663020959