Sweeping Up Glass

Olivia, as caretaker of her mother and grandson, lives in rural Kentucky during the depression era. The story is told using flashback scenes to develop the background of the family. As they make the best of their life, Olivia discovers that somebody is killing the wolves in the area. Soon, she also discovers a deep, darker mystery within her community.I wasn't pulled into the story like I had hoped I would be. The plot and characters didn't seem truly authentic; therefore, I wasn't captivated, but I wasn't bored either. There were occasions when I found myself more attentive and curious, but overall it was just an okay book for me. (3.25/5)Originally posted on: Thoughts of Joy

What a great little surprise this book turned out to be. At times the writing is right up there with the likes of Dorothy Allison, Donna Tartt, and (gasp... is he really going to say it?) Harper Lee.

It's the story of a strong but damaged woman who is barely ekeing out a living for her non-traditional family in the mountains of the Jim Crow South. She runs the country store, tends to her raving and uncooperartive mother, raises her grandchild as her own, and protects the endangered wolf population that sometimes wanders onto her property.

The little town is filled with sinister secrets: Some of them pertaining to the family of evil-seeming brothers who menace the population. Some of them somehow wrapped around the legacy of Olivia's bootlegger/veterinarian father.

The characters are vivid, the writing is crisp, and the reveals pack nice wallops.

Highly recommended!

Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn D. Wall was my book club's most recent book. We were divided. Three members loved it, two were indifferent, three hated it. They didn't say they hated it, they said they "had issues with it." That's book-club-ease for "I hated it." I had issues with it. To start with Sweeping up Glass is written in the present tense. I don't approve of the use of present tense in novels, maybe a little, maybe a paragraph here and there for effect, but not for an entire novel. Many people have done this, some have won awards and been very successful, but I've never liked it. It annoys me. The present tense is for book reviews, not for books. But I'm willing to own that; it could very well just be me. Sweeping Up Glass has a very long flashback sequence used to provide the background needed to understand the characters and the narrative. I'm not a fan of long flashbacks, unless they involve a doomed Parisian love affair, but at least this part of the novel was in the past tense. Several of the characters in Sweeping Up Glass do things that I found hard to believe. This is my biggest issue with the book. For example, the narrator, a country woman, takes a wounded wolf into her kitchen and tries to nurse it back to health. This does not go well. Afterwards she and her grandson try to save the wolf's three, now motherless, cubs. This also does not go well either. A woman who has lived her entire life in the mountains of Kentucky ought to know better than to try something like this. My book club argued that her father was a self-trained vet, so she was used to attempts to rescue animals. Okay, I'll buy that, but we're talking about a fully grown wolf. In one's kitchen. There's no way that's going to work. I had three more examples but I can't discuss them without spoiling the book. If my book club is typical then approximately 43% of the people who read Sweeping Up Glass will love it. I don't want to spoil it for them anymore than I probably already have.It could just be me.

When I first started this book I didn't think I would like it at all and chances are you won't either. But when I finished it, I was pleasantly surprised. Ms. Wall is a wonderful writer and storyteller. To be honest, the first part of this book dragged for me. The setting and mood was dark and depressing, although I am sure this aspect may appeal to many. I didn't really like many of the characters and didn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. About a third of the way in, the mood lightened a bit. The story came back to the "present" and the relationship between the main character and her grandson brightened the whole story. I became more and more interested in the storyline with each chapter. By the end of the book I found myself reading a little bit every chance I got and even stayed up way too late finish the book. That being said this is not one of those books I wish hadn't ended so soon. It was just long enough for me (two kids and very busy). And although the characters were well developed, I don't think they will "stay" with me like in other novels I have read. Bottom line, I enjoyed the writing so much that I would surely give her next book a try.

I learned long ago that when a book's blurb says that the book is like (insert name of a popular book here), they are setting you up for disappointment. Often, authors try to cash in on the success of a bestseller by pumping out a cheap knock-off of the original and they seldom succeed. Even so, when I saw 'Sweeping Up Glass' compared to 'To Kill A Mockingbird', one of my all-time favorite books, I couldn't resist and ordered it immediately. I'm glad that I did. Carolyn Wall is no 'wannabe'. She's a great author in her own right. Is 'Sweeping Up Glass' a new 'Mockingbird'? No, but there are a lot of striking similarities. Both have young girls living with a kindhearted father in the South, assuming you consider the Kentucky hill country 'South'. Both address the subjects of racism and poverty. In both books, black people are helpful, kindly and hard-working and white people's behavior is often contingent on the color of a person's skin. Both books address essential deficiencies in the legal systems of the day and both books have dangerous, drunken bullies. Nevertheless, 'Sweeping Up Glass' is not a pale imitation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. It is an excellent novel in its own right, full of well developed characters, good and evil, and a thrilling plot full of dark secrets, senseless violence and great courage. The last 100 pages will likely keep you up well into the night to find out how it ends. While Harper Lee wrote 'Mockingbird' from the perspective of an optimistic young girl who learns about life, Carolyn Wall's debut novel views life through the eyes of a middle aged grandmother who has spent decades being beaten down by poverty, neglect and tragedy. It has a brooding, melancholy air about it that is reminiscent of Norman Blake's poignant bluegrass ballad, 'Lonesome Jenny'. After a while the reader wonders if the sun ever shines in Aurora, Kentucky, and then realizes that the gloom is more a representation of Olivia's outlook than the weather. This is a powerful story and well worth your time.

There are many reviews below that sum up this book and give you details about "what it's about." I read it through in a rapid fashion because it held my interest, but I found it very depressing. So much poverty, and the animal parts are hard to read. One aspect that was interesting to me was the relative value of money back then (which, incidentally, was never specifically spelled out, sometime during the Depression is all you can surmise, unless I missed it). There is a lot about this selling for 8 cents, that for 3 cents, 12 cents for a long distance phone call. The novelty of indoor plumbing, electricity coming to the house, that sort of thing was also interesting. I also felt it wound up a little too neatly, and a little too happily and optimistically for the type of book it was. I would give it 3.5 stars, but being somewhat new to LT, I haven't yet figured out yet how to do half stars.

Comparing this "first book" to "To Kill a Mockingbird", or the writer to Harper Lee was a strong recommendation. I had my doubts, but Carolyn Wall did not disappoint. I can't wait for more from her. Sweeping Up Glass is a compelling story of family and racism in the South with endearing characters, a story to tell and a lesson to teach. I listened to the audio version and Lorna Raver did a superb job of bringing the characters to life. Highly recommended.

Before I get too far down some random road, I feel I need to say I liked this book/ books. The reason I mention book(s) is best described below in the review by msbaba, who describes the first portion of the book as a wonderfully written character study and the last few chapters as a suspense thriller. I liked them both because at any given time I can appreciate both genres, however, I found the change somewhat jarring in this book to the the point where I almost flipped to the front page and started reading again, for fear I had missed something really big (and obvious). Long story short, liked the book, would recommend it to others, and would read another by the same author. In this case, the flaws don't negate the overall quality of the writing and the experience of 1930's Kentucky.

This is a lovely book that I couldn't put down. A mystery (who is killing the wolves on Olivia Harker's property?), a love story, a history lesson on race relations in 1930's Kentucky and, most of all, a story of family. The first half of the story is narrated with childlike innocence by the young Olivia, then returns to the present day and the dangerous goings-on in the small town in the hills of Kentucky. A wonderful debut.

Let me start by saying this was a surprisingly good read. Unless you are familiar with the southern dialect it may be a somewhat slow start. Once you get up to speed on the jargon it becomes a book that you can't wait to pick up. The story is very well crafted. I found that the more you read, the better this book gets. It has an ending I never would have predicted, and the last few chapters become a roller coaster of excitement. This is a pleasant little summer read. I look forward to Carolyn's next book.

I finally got back home from vacation and started "Sweeping Up Glass"...have only read a few chapters so I don't have much of a review yet...however, what I've read so far grabbed my interest and I am looking forward to the rest of the book...I will write a proper review when I'm done...

I thought the blurb on the back would be too much for any book to live up to, but this book did not disappoint. I was sucked in immediately, and did not want to put this one down. I just loved the character of Olivia. She epitomizes the feistiness at the core of every woman. Olivia is a woman of the earth, in so many ways. This is a tough review to write because I really do not want to give away too many details, as the pace at which the characters, the setting and back-story are revealed are a very large part of the enjoyment of this book. The prose is crisp and wonderfully descriptive, and the characters very human. I have just have to say this... I think I smell a bestseller.

It made me crazy to have had interruptions while reading this novel! It is mesmerizing and I can tell you where exactly where I became hooked. The last sentence of the second chapter, that was it for me. I don't want to give a synopsis of the story, others can do that far better than I. I think it's much more enjoyable to just read it for what it's worth - and this book is worth a lot. It's worth your time, it's worth your attention and your dollar. You will not be disappointed. Great story, great characters with excellent development, wonderful mystery, revenge, retribution - it's got the works. Oh, and did I mention it's VERY well written? Totally loved it. Go buy it now, you will be glad you did. Thank you LibraryThing.com for yet another wonderful read. Being able to be an Early Reviewer for LT is such a pleasure - especially when I receive such a wonderful book as this. Kudos to the author (Carolyn Wall) - great job! Looking forward to reading more from her.

This book is a treat for the soul and mind. Olivia is a fresh, believable heroine - always doing her lovingiest in the most difficult of circumstances, but not in a way that is easily recognized as kind - she has self-doubt (refreshing in this egotistic world), humor and deep vulnerabilty. You just want to hug her and wish you could be her friend. The story is of a time early in the 20th century in rural Kentucky mountain country - and has the elements of economic hardship, racial bigotry, family heartbreak - yest without being sentimental and predictable. I read it quickly and savored every page. There are pages I've marked and want to go back to and capture a particular phrase. This kind of story and writing doesnt' come along - great debut!

You want be able to put it down. Its been a long time since I have read such great southern fiction. Olivia Harper tugs at your heart string as a young child and then again as a determined woman fighting the odds. The characters are all brillant and real! Love Alice is genius! Thank you Carolyn Wall for a truly wonderful read!!

I read this book in two sittings......the writing style was very compelling and the story kept my interest throughout. I've read the other reviews and I notice that this book has been compared to Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird"........I would agree in some sense the book does. However, Wall's voice is most definately a voice of the 21st century. A story, not unlike Mockingbird but told in a unique way. I would also add that the cover of the book makes reference to Flannery O'Conner and Faulkner. YES.........especially Faulkner, this story has a darker edge than Harper Lee's tale.The story is well conceived. I especially liked the characters, some of which were very "odd" but then, is this not the case in real life ? Wall does not gloss over the weird or the unpleasant.......I think that this added to the story.....made the book more real.This is a great book for a discussion, family ties, racial issues and small town life are all brought to life in this novel. I will be recommending this book for my reading group. I feel that it will be one of those few "picks" that everyone will enjoy.

"Sweeping up Glass" tells a story of life in rural America, immediately before and during the depression. The POV character, Olivia, clear sighted and sensible, endures a life of hardship and grief. Somehow, she overlooks outrages that are being committed in her small town against the African Americans who live there. The killing of wolves on her land sets her on a search that will reveal deadly evil at work. Wall's character's are well drawn and the story is compelling and well paced. If I have a problem with this book, it is that her POV character's obliviousness to the murders, persecution and violence against a target group in a very small community for 30 years or more tests the credibility of the reader. Even so, a very good book.

This review is based on the Advance Reading Copy. Just when you think there is nothing new left to say in Southern fiction, here comes a powerful new story and protagonist to dispel that belief. Wall is a darn good writer and found in her anti-herione a unique, hypnotic voice. Olivia is a woman I think almost anyone can relate to ~ a good, real woman in very tough times. She puts her heart on her sleeve and faces what she knows as life's hard truths head on. Despite an absent and then quite evil mother, the early death of her beloved father and a lost daughter, Olivia never harbors hate, and continually tries to make the best of things. She sees the best in the people around her, all the while protecting the people (her grandson Will'm and her "colored" friends) and animals (the wolves) who are important to her. This is a very bigoted and cruel time and place and this very simple woman gains the courage to take the path less traveled. I found it impossible not to get utterly sucked into the world; and finished the book with lightening speed. We learn, as does Olivia, that people and circumstances are rarely what you think they are ~ and even well into midlife, it's worthy to reassess things and take on a new understanding. My only complaint is the ending, while certainly full of interesting and frightening twists and discoveries, was a bit too "Hollywood" for me. It was unbelievable in many ways. But I still think this is a very solid debut and I would definitely look for any subsequent novels by Wall.

Time span seems to be early 1900's thru the depression but ending before WWII. Setting: rural Kentucky. Olivia's mother goes "crazy" when she is born, refuses to have anything to do with her, & eventually is sent to an insane asylum. Olivia follows her father around, helping him with his animal healing/vet work and running their small grocery. She also relies on Black neighbors for guidance, help & friendship. Her mother returns home, but still has issues, & Olivia discovers sex, first as a source of love & later as a way of forgetting (or revenge). Parts of her life are swiftly dealt with, & the focus of the novel is how her anger at the hunters who have been shooting special wolves on her property gradually leads to her recognizing --& fighting--the injustice around her (an second focus is how she comes to terms with her feelings for Wing).I admired/partly identified with Olivia: she's feisty, grumbling about having to take care of her grandson & her mother with never any time for herself. And what would she be doing if she did have time? We're never told, but we do see her grabbing a few minutes to lie on the earth to get centered, & the her beginning at making quilts from scraps develops into more thought & planning of design & color, pride in what she creates.

Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall is a depression era novel of rural Kentucky. It describes the struggles of good hardworking people and some very evil people who manipulate the town in the background. There is unconditional love between most of the characters, but some of the characters are truly vile. I loved the descriptions of the life the characters lived, something most of us can never truly comprehend. Plenty of mystery, thrills and action. Light overcomes the darkness.

A great story, and a fabulous reader. I think I enjoyed this book more on tape than I would have if I'd read it.

This book was on display at my local public library as a patron favorite and I certainly agree. This is one of the best books and most engaging stories that you've never heard of--I hadn't anyway! Set in depression-era Aurora, Kentucky we meet Olivia, a middle-aged woman who runs the local grocery store and raises her grandson and takes care of her mentally ill mother. She's had a hard, sad life and as she uncovers the secret her father protected her from, it gets even harder.

Originally, this book appealed to me because it appeared to be a mystery regarding wolves – an environmentalist vs opportunist tale. But I was wrong. The wolf element is a parallel to the real plot of the story, but it is only a small part, and it’s not what “the book is about”.This book is about the struggles of a depression-era black woman. It’s about racism. It’s about poverty. It’s about family, and community, and standing up for what you believe it. The first part of the book is an amazing character study. It then transitions into more of suspenseful, plot-driven book. It is an emotionally difficult read at times. This is not a book that you read for entertainment value; it’s a literary work that requires the right frame of mind.

I highly recommend Sweeping Up Glass to anyone who enjoys Southern literature, rich characters, and excellent storytelling. There were several times that I found a lump beginning to form in my throat as I was reading this novel and I genuinely cared about the characters. Even though the book did, as others said, change its tone halfway through, I actually didn’t find that too jarring. That being said, I preferred the beginning plot, which was more character-driven, than the ending. I agree with the previous reviewer in that then ending tied itself up a little too neatly and was unbelievable. Still, I have found a new author to enjoy, and I love Ms. Wall’s writing.

The blurbs used to describe Carolyn Wall’s debut, Sweeping Up Glass, compare Wall to Harper Lee, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Flannery O’Connor. I mean WOW, how does a novel live up to those kinds of expectations? And yet, even from the beginning, it just does. The striking similarities to To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the most beloved books ever written, are unavoidable. The innocent narrator, and explored themes particularly evoke Mockingbird, and that is a statement I’d never make lightly. Wall’s narrative voice with its colloquial speech is so entrenched in classic southern tradition that it becomes hard to believe that I wasn’t reading a much older novel.This tale offers more than nostalgia. It is basically the life story of hard working and very poor general store owner, Olivia Harker. Olivia lives life in no uncertain terms. She idolizes her father, adores her grandson, loves her lifetime friends, is wary of her daughter, protective of the wolves that roam her property, and hates her mom. Her story is set in a very small town in Kentucky. And her town has some dark secrets yet to be unveiled. Unknown truths waiting in Olivia’s past threaten her life and everything she knows. It is hard to go into much more detail as the book is masterfully structured--even Olivia doesn’t know the tale she is telling. Just know that the plot offers mysterious surprises. I have almost no criticisms of this book, but if I really reach, I could say that this book doesn’t feel modern. It tells of a bygone time period and past issues. Which some readers might find to be to the books credit especially after reading it. I will say this book is an old fashioned good read, and its historical feel was most likely calculated move on Wall’s part. The strengths of the novel abound. Foremost, Olivia’s voice is forcibly engaging, and stayed with me long after the book conclusion. Every character is fully drawn and compelling. The plot is constructed with doses of mystery, literary tension, and layers of characterization. It is easily the best book I’ve read all month, and sure to be one of my favorites this year. Wall’s tale is sure to be cherished by anyone who reads it. It is deserving of all the gushing praise it has and will receive.

Carolyn Wall's debut novel Sweeping Up Glass starts with such a strong literary impact that I had to remind myself to keep breathing. There was so much heartbreaking humanity and reality in the prose that it felt as if the book I held in my hand was a lovely, small, wounded animal rather than a simple work of fiction. In the beginning, almost everything about the book had me entranced—I was under a spell…and, for the most part, that feeling of awe continued straight through to the end. The book is a truly remarkable debut and Carolyn Wall is an impressive new novelist. Through her simple lyrical prose and authentic dialogue, the impoverished people of rural Appalachia come alive. There is exquisite magic in her straightforward, honest storytelling.Other reviews on this site outline the book's plot and themes, so I will not go over that material again here. Instead, I want to explain why, after such an enthusiastic opening, I choose to give this book only a three-star and not a five-star rating.The problem for me was the abrupt change-of-pace in the last few chapters. For most of the book, I had the feeling that I was reading a magnificent character study—a study of a woman, her family, and her town. I would have been totally satisfied if the book had been nothing more than that. It was such a beautiful experience to be in the author's capable hands, taking an intimate look at a marvelous, odd cast of real-life characters. But shortly before the end, the book abruptly morphs into a fast-paced thriller. The book was like a chimera—ninety percent slow-paced literary character study and ten percent potboiler. I'm sure than many, if not most readers, will not have any problem with this sudden switch-of-pace and style, but for me…well, it totally lifted the veil of reality and I was found myself staring at all the pulley-and-lever mechanics of storytelling stagecraft. The ending broke the long spell of entrancement…and I was sorely disappointed.I have no problem with the mixing of genres. It is possible to mix a thriller in together with a literary character study—indeed, I has been done many times before. Carolyn Wall got this mix wrong.Despite this disappointment, I am still enthusiastic and excited by the promise of this new author. Carolyn Wall seems to be a stunning new literary talent and I look forward to her next book. Hopefully, with the next book, she will manage to keep me under her spell straight through to the end.

I was not in the mood for Sweeping Up Glass when I began reading it. I had made a commitment though to read and review it. I am sure it sounded good to me when I checked the box at the BookBrowse website to be entered for a chance to review it, but once it arrived in the mail, I wondered what in the world I had been thinking. My extra-fabulous reading streak would surely be ruined now. Maybe that would be a good thing though, I told myself. People are beginning to think I not only like, but actually love just about everything I read.Sweeping Up Glass is Carolyn Wall’s first novel. And let me just say now that it definitely did not ruin my love ‘em all reading streak. I loved it. Can I say that again, please? I loved it. So much for not being in the mood for it. Well, there you have it. End of review.Okay, so not really. Despite my initial doubts, it was clear from the very first page that I was going to like this novel. Olivia Harker Cross has lived a lifetime in her nearly 42 years of life. It was not all bad at first. Although they were poor, which was true of most of the folk living in their Kentucky town, Olivia and her father ran the grocery store, living in the back. Olivia adored her father. He ran a little side business, mending and caring for injured animals. He did what he could for Olivia, making sure she did not do without. Olivia’s mother, Ida, during those early years was locked away in an asylum, having never been quite the same after giving birth to her daughter.Olivia spent her days going to school and helping her father with the store, sometimes even helping him with the animals. Her best friend, Love Alice, a black girl just a few years older than herself, was married to Junk Hanley, a strong and decent man who often did work around the store for Olivia and her father. Junk’s family had taken Olivia in more than once, Junk’s mother being the mother Olivia never really had. This was during a time when the line between black and white was well drawn. Segregation was the norm: they shopped at the grocery store on different days from one another, attended different schools and churches, and the blacks had to enter through the back door rather than the front at the local restaurant. Color made no difference to Olivia, however. She knew who her friends were, and she loved them dearly.When word came from the asylum that her mother was ready to come home, Olivia was devastated. Her mother had never taken kindly to her and Olivia knew it would not turn out well. She was right. Her mother treated her poorly, cruelly even. When Olivia got word of her father’s death, she blamed herself and her mother would not let her forget the part she played in it.As time went on, Olivia found love and lost it, became a mother early on and struggled with raising a daughter. She did not hesitate to take in her grandson Will’m, when her daughter, Pauline left him on her doorstep. It was to that end that Olivia finds herself caring for her elderly mother, who has grown no nicer with age, and her young grandson, the only real joy in her life.Will’m is so much like his great-grandfather, big heart and all. When the wolves on the family’s mountain are suddenly targeted by cold-blooded hunters, he begs his grandmother to try and save a litter of young pups. Olivia is angered that someone is trespassing on her land and killing off the wolves. She is determined to get to the bottom of it. What she finds is a town full of dark secrets, cover-ups and lies. And the closer she comes to the truth, the more danger she and Will’m are in.Olivia Harker Cross’s life has made her tough and somewhat bitter. She has a softer side, which is most evident when she is around her grandson, Will’m. She is such a strong woman, so resilient, and yet still so full of doubt. Even though I may not have agreed with every choice she made, I never lost respect for her. She believes in standing up for what is right and is not afraid to speak her mind.Olivia’s mother, Ida, is such an interesting character. She too has had a difficult life. She is much kinder to the men in her life (other than her husband) than she is to the women. She’s long been plagued with mental illness, but it is never clear what exactly that may be. One of the heart-wrenching moments in the book is when Olivia visits the state hospital her mother had spent much of Olivia's early childhood in. Even though Ida was terrible to Olivia, it was hard not to feel for her, having had to live in a place like that. For all intents and purposes, Ida seems to be a woman unhappy with her lot in life and so she takes it out on those closest to her. The relationship between Olivia and Ida is a complicated one.Olivia has long harbored a hate in her heart for a mother she does not understand. All her life, even now, Olivia has wanted her mother to show some sign that she loves her. Her mother never has. The scars her mother has left on her run deep. They impact her relationship with her own daughter, who could not wait to escape. Olivia’s heart has been broken too many times, and love does not come easily for her. She guards her heart as those who love her know all too well.Carolyn Wall’s novel begins in the future and quickly steps back into the past where the reader learns about Olivia’s childhood, setting the stage for the events to come. What begins as a quiet novel picks up intensity in the second half, particularly in the final 100 pages or so, as everything comes to a head (several soft expletives escaped me mouth, causing my husband to wonder if I was crazy). It almost seemed like two different novels in a way: the first half being more of a life story and the second being the suspense-filled mystery. And while I could fault another novel for this, I actually thought it worked quite well. The transition happened gradually and the story threads were interwoven from beginning to end.The novel is set in the late 1930’s, at least in terms of the “current” story thread. The time period plays an especially important role in the novel. Life was hard all over the United States at that time and in the decades preceding it, people struggling to make ends meet. In Pope County Kentucky, where the novel is set, it was no different. Carolyn Wall captured the desperation of the times as well as the adaptability of the people. People bartered with food and services when they could not pay. Segregation was commonplace and racism ran rampant.There is so much I want to say about this book and I haven't even come close to capturing all that I loved about it, but I’ve already said more than I probably should. This is one of those books that you have to read for yourself. Told in the voice of Olivia, the narrative is uncomplicated, her wry humor coming out now and then. The pages are filled with characters well worth getting to know, and Olivia’s story is one that will surely touch the reader’s heart. The secrets uncovered are chilling and the resolution is satisfying. The novel is as complex as Olivia Harker. Sweeping Up Glass is a love story, a mystery, and historical novel that touches on social issues that still reverberate today.To think I had doubts about reading this book. That will show me, won’t it?

Olivia Harker Cross lives in the mountains of Kentucky during the time of the great depression with her elderly and insane mother and her young grandson, abandoned by a mother with dreams of “making it” in California. Olivia has not had an easy life. She lost her beloved Pap at an early age and has been left with her mother Ida who is crazy and abusive. Furthermore her life has been marred by extreme poverty especially since the impoverished residents of her community have not been able to pay for items from the store she runs nor for the “doctoring services” provided by her Pap to local animals. Olivia also has dangerous enemies who are making life treacherous for her and now her enemies are killing her beloved wolves.Carolyn Wall writes Olivia's story in a fast paced and engaging way which is tinged with mystery. Her style is reminiscent of other Southern writers such as Harper Lee and Dorothy Allison. This book was an engaging read and I would highly recommend it.

Sweeping Up Glass starts out a bit slower than expected, and may give some readers fits because of the heavy dialect used for the main character, Olivia. I found, however, that the flashback section of the book, harkening back to her childhood, was incredibly interesting. If you think the book drags at the beginning, the middle section will blow you away. You come to care so much about Olivia and the secondary characters, and to hate her mother as much as you possibly can. This connection helps the last part of the book, which takes you forward again to Olivia's adulthood, pick up is pace a bit. I just found such a disconnect between the adult Olivia and her younger counterpart, and at times it was almost distracting because I couldn't quite figure her out. I do have to say that the dialect becomes much easier to read through the farther into the book you get, and there are some plot twists toward the end that are hidden so well in the rest of the text that I was practically delighted at how surprised I was. The Boston Globe claims in a blurb on the cover that Olivia reminds them of a newer version of Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird... I would not go this far. Scout is one of the most endearing characters in American literature, and I had a hard time connecting with Olivia at all. There are glimpses of greatness as a character in the flashback, but the connections that make To Kill a Mockingbird one of the supreme works of fiction are just not there in this work. I enjoyed it for what it is, and appreciated the plot quite a bit, but I can't bring myself to put it in a category with some of the better developed works of fiction that have been created in the past.

I love the voice of narrator Olivia Cross in Carolyn Wall’s novel, Sweeping Up Glass! Speaking clearly and honestly, Olivia shows us the childhood she spent with her loving pap and hateful, crazy mother. We also see her as an adult as she moves along with the day to day struggle of caring for her aging mother and beloved grandson. Life is hard in rural Kentucky, and the family has barely enough to eat. On top of that, someone is killing the wolves on her land. As she delves deeper into discovering who is killing the beautiful silver wolves, Olivia becomes embroiled in the history of racism and personal vendettas of her town. Wall’s lyrical prose is spellbinding, her descriptions vivid. Sweeping up Glass is an excellent debut novel and I look forward to reading more by Carolyn Wall.