Reviews of If the Creek Don't Rise by Leah Weiss

Sadie Blue

I struggle to my feet, straighten my back, lift my chin, then he hits me again. This time I fall down and stay down while he counts, "…eight, nine, ten." He walks out the trailer door and slams it hard. The latch don't catch, and the door pops open. I lay on the floor and watch Roy Tupkin cross the dirt yard and disappear into the woods.

My world's gone sideways again.

"Sadie girl." Daddy's spirit voice comes soft from behind my open eyes. "You got yourself in a pickle this time. No two ways about it. That husband of yours won't stop till you and your baby draw your last breath. You don't even look like yourself no more. He broke bout every piece of sweet in you. You gonna let him break your spirit, too? You gonna do nothing?"

I'm tired, Daddy. Wore out. Roy Tupkin don't just beat me, he beats me down. Let me rest a spell. I don't know if I can lift my head just yet.

Now Daddy's voice comes from the yard where a lone wind...

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Life in 1970 Appalachia (and fictional Baines Creek) was undeniably hard and harsh. What did the novel tell you about that historic time and place that you expected? What did you learn that surprised you?
2. Sadie Blue was the principal character in the book, with her story told in three chapters. Did you root for her from the start? What were her key moments of growth? Who were her mentors and supporters? What did they do that helped her grow a stronger backbone?
3. In what ways were Sadie Blue and her grandmother, Gladys Hicks, and Sadie and her mother, Carly, alike? In what ways were they different?
4. Gladys and Marris were best friends. Who needed the other the most? Who gave the greatest purpose to their relationship?
5. ...

Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers!

Here are some of the comments posted about If the Creek Don't Rise.
You can see the full discussion here.


A number of murders were committed in the book. Do you think any of them were justified? If so, which ones and why?
Is murder ever justified???? - taking.mytime

As a debut novel, how does this compare to others?
I enjoyed this novel. I liked the way it was structured. I could empathize with some of the characters, dislike some of them and relate to some of the issues and instances. I don't think this novel reads like a debut novel. I think the Appalachians ... - taking.mytime

Did you find any reasons to empathize with Prudence, Roy and Billy? What were the pivotal moments in their past that shaped their personalities? How do you think you would have fared if you were born into their families and stations of life?
I don't think that this characterization was too far off from anyone's life. There are always people who are genuinely grumpy, selfish and feel sorry for themselves like Prudence. She let a few bad things waste her whole life - never believing that ... - taking.mytime

Did you root for Sadie Blue from the start? What were her key moments of growth? Who were her mentors and supporters? What did they do that helped her grow a stronger backbone?
Sadie had some strong role models - Kate, Eli, Marris and Birdie. Sadie was the underdog - the abused one - the innocent one in the story. Hoping she found a better life was just instinctual. Key moments of growth were her marriage to Roy - not a... - taking.mytime

Did you think Gladys was oblivious to her mean behavior? Why did she feel entitled to that mean behavior? How do you think she would have described herself?
I believe that Gladys needed to express her meanness. Like many others she was beaten down and very unhappy. She knew it and knew she was mean, however she saw no outlet for change. She was controlling and used that control on people especially ... - taking.mytime