Author in the Family - Sweet as Cane

Stephanie McCoy, wife of our cousin Tim Holton, recently published her second book.

From her website: "Twenty-three year old photographer Cane Walker specializes in infant-post mortems. In Marrow, North Carolina in the fifties, such practices are still prized and sought out. Cane’s is a tale of a young disfigured woman growing up in a small town that oozes with despair, hope and desire. The story unfolds through the eyes of various Marrow inhabitants familiar with and foreign to one another. 

Cane works next door to her mother, the town mortician. She steals from the infant bodies she photographs; yet she sings lullabies to them at the cemetery where they are buried. Hiding behind the camera, she uncovers love and heartache while longing to be included in the community around her. 

In this haunting tale, the slow force of nature, folklore and grief lead the reader to its unsettling and powerful conclusion."

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Click here to hear Stephanie interviewed about the book. She gives very interesting information about the book, its setting and people.

One of my favorite phrases reminded me of walking to school on chilly mornings watching my "breath speak ahead of my words." 

Everyone has a story. Each chapter is told by a different character. All the stories together tell of life in this small Southern town. As I read the book, I was reminded of “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout and the “Little Giant of Aberdeen County” by Tiffany Baker. Each book deals with people in small towns and their secrets, gossip, and interactions – and people whose outward appearances mask the human emotions and needs all of us have. Cane Walker’s scars are visible. The scars of others in the town aren’t quite as apparent. 

Stephanie's note to me said, "It's a tough read." And that it was - because the lives of the people are tough. This is not a feel-good story. 

Click here for another summary of the book.

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It's interesting how the Internet can help us with family connections. I send birthday cards to our cousins but don't have much communication with them other than that. I was aware that Stephanie had published a book. On a whim I did a search before sealing up her birthday card. Found out she now has published this second book. I included a congratulatory note along with the birthday greetings. We've had some nice exchanges since then. Over the years another cousin and I have encouraged Stephanie to write about Celia Cathcart Holton, our grandmother, and the other women involved in the Pine Mountain School in Kentucky. It would be great if she'd take on that project.