Ron Rash’s ‘Serena’ hits Amazon’s list of the 100 best books of 2008

The Hendersonville Times-News has the blurb (please fix the typo in your online story, listing the author’s name as “Run” Rash):

CULLOWHEE – Western Carolina University’s Parris Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Culture Ron Rash has received positive reviews for his new novel, “Serena.”

In early November, Rash learned that “Serena” had been named to the Publishers Weekly “Best Books of the Year” list, and that the novel had come in at number seven on the online retailer Amazon’s list of the 100 best books of 2008.

Rash was recently notified that “Serena,” which is already being translated into Dutch and French, will be on a soon-to-be-released list of the New York Times’ best books of the year.

I savored this book. It’s deliciously dark, and Rash’s mastery at using words to capture the mountain culture in and around Asheville has no rival. Rash read from his book this morning (Saturday) at Malaprop’s.

Here’s the Amazon list of its editors’ top 100 picks. Rash’s book is list at #7. There are some great books on this list. Congratulations, Mr. Rash!