Lum: A Novel

In "Lum" Libby Ware has woven a heartfelt tale to remind us that we are all different, but some are more different than others. Columbia (Lum), growing up during the depression in The Blue Ridge Mountains, is told at an early age she will never marry because she is born of both sexes. Holding the positive qualities of both she is shuttled back and forth between her family members and is a fascinating, courageous and lovable character that I will always remember. The beautiful Appalachian descriptions made me want to stomp on the fall leaves beside her.

Lum is a melancholy book that reminded me of A Giant’s House by Elizabeth McCracken. As an intersex female born in the south at the turn of the century, Lum must keep a low profile in her small community to avoid being scrutinized and bullied more than she’s already been. Though she works hard caring for babies and cooking for her family’s children, her value to others is minimized nil given that she won’t be marrying and making babies. Lum is a beautifully written and captivating story of the important need in all of us to be loved and to belong.

Libby Ware’s masterful evocation of life in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the early years of the last century is exceeded only by the depth and poignancy with which she reveals the main character of this wonderful debut novel. Lum is different- and talented and wise - though mostly unappreciated by her controlling family. Fortunately for Lum, her life is redeemed in unexpected ways. Fortunately for the reader, Libby Ware has written a very fine novel.

This book is a wonderful read, which gives an unusual and worthwhile slant on the lives of single women in a time and place we often don't read about in mainstream literature. Beautifully written and full of the language and imagery of the low-income southern mountains, Ware evokes her setting and the heartbreaking predicament of the "extra woman" with compassion and respect. No wonder it won a major award. Read it now.

This was an okay novel. The author developed the main character just enough for me to care about her. However, I felt I wanted more information about her and how she dealt with being transgendered throughout her life. The story went on, jumping back and forth in time and gave mere glimpses into Lum's life and challenges. I just wanted to know her and some of the other characters more.