The Cove

The Cove (2012) by Ron Rash. Set in North Carolina during World War I, The Cove tells the story of a brother and sister who are isolated in a backwards part of the state, where the sister, Laurel, is suspected of being a witch. She and her brother, Hank, try to make a go of it on their small plot of land, but it is a lonely life, especially for Laurel, who is set apart by her birthmark. Then one day, a stranger appears -- a mute man who plays the flute beautifully -- and seems to offer a chance for Laurel to experience the happiness she has been denied. But the people of the nearby town seem bent on making life miserable for Laurel, and when the stranger's secret comes to light it appears that she will have no chance for happiness. This novel was a good read, and draws the reader in with skill and poetic language. It's a well told morality tale, without a happy ending. Grade: B+