As a person who has grown up in a steel town, O'Dell's gripping tale about a dying mining town and it's people was like reading a familiar story. Ms. O'Dell does a wonderful job painting the way people are like in towns like this. She doesn't make it too pretty, but somehow, despite the desolation in the lives of the characters, it doesn't seem terrible either. The characters are realistic and interesting; and characters like Jolene, Dr. Ed, and Ivan (At moments) are even extremely likable. But at the novels core is a story of redemption and loss that I challenge anyone not to be moved by. Everyone in my discussion group loved this book. Definitely worth reading not just once, but over and over again!