On Agate Hill

A Novel

By: Lee Smith

Narrated by: Kate Forbes, Danielle Ferland, Katie Firth

Award-winning, best-selling author Lee Smith is among the most authentic voices of the South and has been hailed as one of America's most accomplished authors. In this rich and bittersweet tale, she follows the shifting fortunes of a young North Carolina girl whose life is shattered by the Civil War.

Orphaned when her father falls in battle, Molly Petree is taken in by Uncle Junius on his Agate Hill plantation. But the terminally ill Junius is manipulated into marriage by his housekeeper, Selena, who inherits Agate Hill upon his death. Neglected and abused under Selena's watch, Molly escapes to a better life with help from her father's closest battlefield companion, Simon Black. But as she grows into a refined, educated woman, Molly remains haunted by tragedy.

Told from the perspectives of several of its colorful characters, On Agate Hill is the literary equivalent of an heirloom quilt, and one of Smith's finest achievements.

©2006 Lee Smith (P)2006 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"Smith brings to [her work] an ear for speech and voice that most other writers can only envy." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Set among the ashes of the Civil War, Lee Smith's new novel brings a dead world blazingly to life....Smith, who is a subtly intrepid and challenging storyteller, never allows her narrative to slip into kitsch, stereotype or melodrama." (Washington Post's Book World)
"An authentic American saga, bittersweet as an Appalachian ballad, peopled with wonderfully vivid characters, so brilliantly constructed we never even notice the quilt-like artfulness of its design. (Kirkus Reviews)

No way I can pick one thing that stood out !!

One of my all time favorite books now. I didn’t want it to end. Now that I am finished with it, I am a bit sad.

Listening for the 2nd time. Brilliant.

The story was read as it was written - in different voices. Each voice wonderfully matches the character.
Lee Smith, perhaps, is one of the best American writers. She mesmerizes the reader.
What do I think now? When we make life choices with our hearts, there is nothing much to regret at the end.

Beautifully read

Would you listen to On Agate Hill again? Why?

I'm not one for listening to books twice - so no.

What did you like best about this story?

The character development. I knew those characters.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Molly, of course.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, not really.

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

engrossing

I could not put this down, to my husband's regret. Having never read Lee Smith before I went into this with hesitation. Her vehicle of story telling (documents) was ingenious. I found this to be a wonderful story with great character voices reading the material. And the music, all placed in appropriate areas, to be an welcomed and natural addition to the storyline.
Well Done Ms Smith.

Exceptional in every way

Who can write a story better than Lee Smith? Glad to have found her. Excellent narration.

A Marvelous Journey

Set in a pocket located in the post civil war South, that was moving forward. I became engulfed and enriched.

Wonderful book and narration

I have read all of Lee Smith's books. This one is among my favorites. The voices of the characters in this audiobook were just perfect, and kept me gripped. If you like On Agate Hill, try Fair and Tender Ladies next.

A sad, but beautiful journey

This was a powerful, beautiful, heartbreaking, happy, rich and full journey. Molly's story is one that will touch the heart and soul of anyone who reads/hears it and will have you cheering for her from start to finish. Lee Smith is a master and this is most certainly in her top 5!

Good but Fair and Tender Ladies was better imo

I liked this story but was a bit disappointed because I adored Fair and Tender Ladies. Lee Smith is a great Southen writer though.
Narration was fine.
Overall, I enjoyed it.

Interesting Look into post-Civil War America

This book was neither great nor bad. Just a nice listen. The narrators were good and though the story is told in many persons, it did not become confusing. The most interesting part of the book to me was how the different levels of society lived during Reconstruction. There was no glamour given to life before the war on a plantation nor was there the melodramatic tedium of reminiscing of the "good old days" in Dixie.