My first Adriana Trigiani book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The peole were true-to-life, very much like Southerners act, speak and think....with both the good and bad traits presented.

Set in 1978 in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Big Stone Gap is a typical coal-mining town. The people are dependant on the coal mines for their living, even as they deny that the mines are responsible for the Black Lung and other related diseases that take their menfolk. Ave Marie Mulligan, the town pharmacist and self-proclaimed spinster, discovers she's not who she always thought she was when her mother dies and Ave Marie discovers a letter her mother wrote to her before her death. That letter starts her on a journey of self-discovery, for herself and the ones she holds dear.

For a book that will make you stop and question your own life-goals, follow Ave Marie as she learns who she really is and finds that sometimes you have to lose your old self before you can find who you really are.

The characters made me feel warm and cozy even if the story seemed a waste of time. The story was ridiculous and trite, but escaping to the beautiful scenery and joining in the company of a local drug store pharmacist, a book-mobile driver and a bunch of fun-lovin' other characters was embarrassingly fun. My literary senses were entirely assaulted and I love it. Kinda kinky in a bookworm way... I guess sometimes your story life needs a little trashy spice!

This is the second book I've read by Adriana Trigiani and I intend on reading everything else she has written! Loved this story about "Ave Maria," a single woman in her 30's who, after her mother dies, finds that she needs a change. Full of wonderful characters, this book does not disappoint!

This is the first in series of three by this author. I am a huge fan of her books. Great writing & each book is filled with great characters & her writing is so smooth & easy to read. Can't wait for further books from her. Don't miss Hometo Big Stone Gap, Rococo, The Queen of the Big Time & Lucia, Lucia. All wonderful stories. She is now one of my all time favorite writers.

Just OK, not great. The main character was a bit of a yammering grump.

I did like the sub plot...the birth family search, etc. The romance was just unbelievable! She seemed like a very unlovable character to me. She treated this guy poorly and he kept coming back for more!

OK though. I might try another.

I bought this book at a second hand store and didnt think that it was going to be very goo. Boy I was wrong! I really enjoyed the story, and once I started reading it i couldnt put it down!!!

I enjoyed the book and intend to read the rest of the books in the series. It is the kind of light, fun read I will keep around the house for guest to read when they come for a long visit.

This was a fun read. Light, perfect for the beach or a winter's night. An interesting town with a long list of loveable characters. Light romance, but that's not the total focus of the story.

This is apparently third in a trilogy. I did not read the first two but plan to. Big Stone Gap is in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. This is about a 35 year old "spinster" (according to town standards)who finds her life is not what she always thought it was.

A funny, endearing story about the search for being loved by someone, rather than someone to love...

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The book was a nice easy read for the beach.

Wow! Loved this book. Really wanted to know more about Ave Maria and JackMac and I'm so glad that there are sequels!

BIG STONE GAP is absolutely the best! A must read for anyone who likes their characters off-beat, but real; their plot line veering, but funny; and the ending not an ending at all but a new start!

From back cover: Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the tiny town of Big Stone Gap is home to some of the most charming eccentrics in the state. Ave Maria Mulligan is the town's self-proclaimed spinster, a thirty-five year old pharmacist with a "mountain girl's body and a flat behind." She lives an amiable life with good friends and lots of hobbies until the fateful day in 1978 when she suddenly discovers that she's not who she always thought she was. Before she can blink, Ave's fielding marriage proposals, fighting off greedy family members, organizing a celebration for visiting celebrities, and planning the trip of a lifetime—a trip that could change her view of the world and her own place in it forever. Brimming with humor and wise notions of small-town life, Big Stone Gap is a gem of a book with a giant heart. . . .

Slow moving. Was ok but very slow. Love story some might like.

very good

I really enjoyed this book. Could not put it down! Hope to read the sequel soon.

The first in a Trilogy, looking forward to reading the next one.

"Delightfully quirky...chock-full of engaging, oddball characters and unexpected plot twists." People Magazine Book of the Week

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the tiny town of Big Stone Gap is home to some of the most charming eccentrics in the state. Ave Maria Mulligan is the town's self-proclaimed spinster, a thirty-five-year-old pharmacist with a "mountain girl's body and a flat behind." She lives an amiable life with good friends and lots of hobbies until the fateful day in 1978 when she suddenly discovers that she's not who she always thought she was. Before she can blink, Ave's fielding marriage proposals, fighting off greedy family members, organizing a celebration for visiting celebrities, and planning the trip of a lifetime--a trip that could change her view of the world and her own place in it forever. Brimming with humor and wise notions of small-town life, Big Stone Gap is a gem of a book with a giant heart.


This was a neat book...the first I've read by this author, and I was pleased to see that she has a sequel to this (Big Cherry Holler) that's set 8 years after the conclusion of Big Stone Gap. Told in the first person, I really enjoyed the writing style. Books set in the late 70's but written post 2000 are rare, and this is truly a gem!

Woman who is a 35-year old spinster in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia searches for her true identity while her life is filled with interesting characters and a fulfilling career. Good read.

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