Lilly Of The Mountains by D.L. Yoder

Tragedy, greed, desire and freedom collide in Lilly of the Mountains by D.L. Yoder, a 1940s period novel of Colorado homestead life and the sweet satisfaction of self-discovery.

The fearless widow at the heart of this story is unrelenting in her quest for independence and true liberation – from money, from men, and from societal expectations. The forces that conspire to control her, woo her, or continue the patriarchal reign of her recent years, are no match for the cleverness and sheer will that this entrancing protagonist brings to every scene.

From the gossipy nature of small mountain towns to the vivid atmospheric descriptions that make this book hum with authenticity, there is a rigorous attention to detail in every line that deserves significant praise. The tone of this linguistic feast is set from the first chapter’s macabre yet poignant introduction to the premise and personalities of this tale. There is also a good bit of humor in the narration and dialogue, the latter of which may be the high point of the book. Capturing an era, a place, and a carnival of characters through believable conversations and interactions is the best way to immerse readers, and Yoder does it with ease.

A visceral, mysterious, and empowering read, this novel may wax poetic at times, but readers won’t want to skip a single line.

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