In the Shadow of the Valley

A Memoir

By: Bobi Conn

Narrated by: Bobi Conn

A clear-eyed and compassionate memoir of the Appalachian experience by a woman who embraced its astonishing beauty, narrowly escaped its violence, and struggles to call it home.

Bobi Conn was raised in a remote Kentucky holler in 1980s Appalachia. She remembers her tin-roofed house tucked away in a vast forest paradise; the sparkling creeks, with their frogs and crawdads; the sweet blackberries growing along the road to her granny’s; and her abusive father, an underemployed alcoholic whose untethered rage and violence against Bobi and her mother were frighteningly typical of a community marginalized, desperate, and ignored. Bobi’s rule of survival: always be vigilant but endure it silently.

Slipping away from home, Bobi went to college and got a white-collar job. Mistrusted by her family for her progress and condescended to by peers for her accent and her history, she was followed by the markers of her class. Though she carried her childhood self everywhere, Bobi also finally found her voice.

An elegiac account of survival despite being born poor, female, and cloistered, Bobi’s testament is one of hope for all vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls caught in the cycle of poverty and abuse. On a continual path to worth, autonomy, and reinvention, Conn proves here that "the storyteller is the one with the power."

©2020 by Bobi Conn. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“An Appalachian memoir from a woman who escaped a cycle of violence, substance abuse, and self-loathing in order to find her voice…the author is to be commended for her courage and determination to change her life circumstances…an inspiration for those attempting to come to terms with abuse.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This memoir, although at times achingly sad, provides an uplifting tale of a woman who decided that she would prevail over the hand that life dealt her…An engaging read that will connect with fans of Tara Westover’s Educated and those interested in the ability of the human spirit to overcome adversity.”—Library Journal

“In sobering detail and with open palms, Bobi Conn mines the depths of her desperation to earn love from a sadistically cruel father and an abused mother, from the boys and men who darken her path, from friends who betray her, and from a God who seems to have turned away from her. Conn’s honesty is heroic and heartbreaking as she shares her story of enduring the stigma of poverty and abuse, claiming her self-worth, and discovering the limits of forgiveness. A necessary and timely read.”—Susan Bernhard, author of Winter Loon

Excellent

Loved this book. Loved loved loved this book. My mind is racing with empathy and openness to listen. Forces me to dig deep. Wonderful human.

Sad story of becoming better than your past

It's hard to love such a sad, sad story. However, hearing that the author overcame the shadows of her past, and eventually became what she was not given as a child makes it a worthwhile read. One thing I found lacking was that she didn't really say how she herself overcame her addictions after her son was born... was it really a total about-face and she just was different? I hope it was so sudden as that, but it seems like the author would have explained that process. And... God bless her Granny 💞

Heartbreaking and inspiring

Yes, your story is worth sharing. Thank you for allowing others a glimpse into the shadows. May your bravery serve as a tool to empower others like you, like me.

Story of great Strength

Wow! Boring is amazing. So eloquent yet truthful. The strength & desire jump out

Love This Book!

Brave, honest, inspiring! It’s all of those things and more. A raw retelling of life in the ‘holler’. A great reminder that there’s no place for judgement in our society.

meh

interesting story but it felt blah and aimless. She accomplished a lot in her life considering her origin. But her passive nature came through in telling the story. I AM amazed she was so passive but still achieved.

beautifully written

i loved the author's honesty and humility that came across so profoundly in her writing. what an inspirational human.

a real understanding of KY backwoods life

one of the best books I've heard in a long while...but I could identity with her childhood most people can not....

Speechless!!!

And if you know me... well not saying something is a lot. This is great look into the world that is Appalachia. Breath taking as well. The hero's journey, The voice acting isn't acting, I could fell the weight of the word, and the heart behind them!

Difficult to hear

Conn’s story is mesmerizing even though it’s disheartening, painful & difficult to hear. Reminds me of Tara Weaver’s Educated although this one has a little more “light” (faith, hope) to it. Good self analysis at the end & definitely worth hearing!