Mode of Program Participation
Academic Scholarship
Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
Extreme Asheville: New Fiction and Dynamic Endurance
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Asheville, NC, has long figured in fiction of the Appalachian region as an urban link between mountain communities and a wider world. This paper will examine the economic and cultural revitalization of the Asheville region, its relationship to local communities and traditions, and how these are reflected in many novels set in the vicinity. Partnerships from broad categories of stakeholders and innovative solutions have combined to create a vibrant downtown culture in Asheville that combines arts and crafts businesses, residential life, walking tours, bookstores, and ‘foodie’ culture that draws on national trends while embracing many locally grown values and traditions. This paper will trace high points in this development, outlined in local and national articles on the city’s redevelopment,[i] as context for examining ways that Asheville’s growth and spirit might be reflected in fiction of the area. To what extent do these portrayals offer, rather than ‘an enchanting place apart’ (Satterwhite), glimpses of lives lived in a dynamic Appalachia built on community strengths, cosmopolitan awareness, and creative approaches to growth? Authors considered include Mark de Castrique, who writes mystery novels set against western North Carolina’s attractions and environs. Kenneth Butcher’s novel, The Middle of the Air, links government intrigue with local environmentalism and food culture. Writers such as Ron Rash explore layers of history and modern life that point to diverse struggles and endeavors that have endured in the region. This paper assesses how well such works counter essentialist views of Appalachia and reflect Asheville as a model for economic vitality that respects the region’s history and culture.
[i]Asheville Just 'Happened' to Develop a Nice Downtown—or Did It? http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2015/04/asheville-just-happened-to-turn-into-a-nice-downtown-didnt-it/391391/; Could an Appalachian food revival help revitalize a region’s economy? http://brokensidewalk.com/2016/appalachian-food/
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Barbara Ladner earned a Ph.D. in American Studies from Yale, focusing on regional literature, art, and culture. At West Virginia State University, she teaches Appalachian literature and culture and Appalachian arts and crafts. She has presented and published on various aspects of Appalachian literature over more than the last two decades.
Extreme Asheville: New Fiction and Dynamic Endurance
Asheville, NC, has long figured in fiction of the Appalachian region as an urban link between mountain communities and a wider world. This paper will examine the economic and cultural revitalization of the Asheville region, its relationship to local communities and traditions, and how these are reflected in many novels set in the vicinity. Partnerships from broad categories of stakeholders and innovative solutions have combined to create a vibrant downtown culture in Asheville that combines arts and crafts businesses, residential life, walking tours, bookstores, and ‘foodie’ culture that draws on national trends while embracing many locally grown values and traditions. This paper will trace high points in this development, outlined in local and national articles on the city’s redevelopment,[i] as context for examining ways that Asheville’s growth and spirit might be reflected in fiction of the area. To what extent do these portrayals offer, rather than ‘an enchanting place apart’ (Satterwhite), glimpses of lives lived in a dynamic Appalachia built on community strengths, cosmopolitan awareness, and creative approaches to growth? Authors considered include Mark de Castrique, who writes mystery novels set against western North Carolina’s attractions and environs. Kenneth Butcher’s novel, The Middle of the Air, links government intrigue with local environmentalism and food culture. Writers such as Ron Rash explore layers of history and modern life that point to diverse struggles and endeavors that have endured in the region. This paper assesses how well such works counter essentialist views of Appalachia and reflect Asheville as a model for economic vitality that respects the region’s history and culture.
[i]Asheville Just 'Happened' to Develop a Nice Downtown—or Did It? http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2015/04/asheville-just-happened-to-turn-into-a-nice-downtown-didnt-it/391391/; Could an Appalachian food revival help revitalize a region’s economy? http://brokensidewalk.com/2016/appalachian-food/
