"Marge Fulton does not waste words in her provocative short fiction. She will not waste your time either with endless details. These stories about ordinary mountain people who undertake out of the ordinary challenges are crisp and profound. She weaves city folk and country folk together into her dazzling stories. Themes such as alcoholism, drug use and sexual assault weigh in along with everyday tales about making the best hot sauce and following elk on trails. This author is one to watch! Appalachia has a well tuned voice. The world has gotten smaller as a result."
From the story, THE RUT
"How come there are trees there and nowhere else?" she asked. He told her how that part had not been mined. Ben walked closer to the elk hovering together like parents along the sidelines at a soccer game. Their heads hung like socks full of sand."
This lively host of characters all dwell in or around Hazard, Kentucky. For some the sojourn has been sweet; for others pure misery. But all of these people somehow redeem themselves or forgive their perpetrators. Others find themselves in the rubble. I hope you will find something remarkable in this collection. Hazard is no Mayberry. There must be a little Hazard in all of us.
Visit www.hazardgal.com for more. I have posted two new stories there!
The pictures are there to set the tone for the book. Like bubble wrap, they pad my gifts.
Excerpt
from "Juiced"
The flask was one thing and he could always search for it pretending to be fishing along the muddy water. The river was down. So, was the man. Maybe he could find what he was looking for.
Professional Reviews
Nancy Kelly Allen/ Author of On the Banks of the Amazon, Appalachian Writers Association 2005 Children's Book of the Year Award
Fulton's debut collection of short stories captures the spirit of everyday life. From riding over a trail to watch a herd of elk to riding down the road discussing the birds and bees, the stories flow with lyrical prose that appeals to the senses.
Charles Simpson/ Author of A Ride on a Train, River Road and The Valley of the Bones.
Marge Fulton has a way with words. This collection is no exception to that rule. The stories are all well written, interesting and will not soon be forgotten.
Gurney Norman/ Creative Writing professor at the University of Kentucky and Author of Divine Right's Trip, Kinfolks and now Crazy Quilt.
Marge Fulton's writing style in ALL ROADS LEAD TO HAZARD has special appeal. There is a fresh, innovative quality in her writing that opens new territory for writers who take life in Eastern Kentucky as their subject. One of my favorite sentences is: The enormous bird was big as a beer keg but the woman stood erect with her arm straight and long as a minute hand
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Reviews for "All Roads Lead to Hazard/Twenty Short Stories/New Release!"
At times I’m given to wonder where all the fine regional writers have gone as America becomes obnoxiously homogeneous. Then, a book like All Roads Lead To Hazard comes to my attention. Marge Fulton captures her Appalachia with wit, empathy and élan.
There is no attempt to play up the rusticism or to play down the encroachment of modernity. This collection of short stories captures the flow of a language which, while often contemporary, retains the nuance of grace and civility which we rightfully connect with the Southern and Border States.
The characters are so well limned that they will quickly remind you of people you know. ( I want to know more about Lena Centers.) At first read, their language seemed a bit “off” until I recalled my times as a visitor. At second read, the dialogue was perfect and the subtle wit shone. At third read, I was catching up with old friends.
Yes, I had to read All Roads Lead To Hazard three times. Ms. Fulton reopened my eyes and mind to the reality that talented regional writers still exist and that she’s a stellar example.
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