How We Talked and Common Folks

In these two classic memoirs, the beloved Appalachian author shares a rare and vibrant look at the life and culture of her rural Kentucky home.

A free-form combination of glossary and memoir, How We Talked is a timeless piece of literature that uses native expressions to depict everyday life in Caney Creek, Kentucky. In addition to phrases and their meanings, the book contains sections on the customs and wisdom of Slone's community, a collection of children's rhymes, and stories and superstitions unique to Appalachia.

Originally published in 1979, Common Folks documents Slone's way of life in Pippa Passes, Kentucky, and expands on such diverse topics as family pets, coal mining, education, and marriage. Slone's firsthand account of this unique heritage draws readers into her hill-circled community and allows them to experience a lifestyle that is nearly forgotten.

Whether Slone is writing about the particulars of Appalachian folk medicine or the universal experiences of family life, her deep insight and eye for evocative detail make for compelling reading. Published together for the first time, How We Talked and Common Folks celebrate the spirit of an acclaimed Appalachian writer.