Daughter of the Legend

By: Jesse Stuart and Wilma Dykeman and N. Brent Kennedy and John H. Spurlock

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Synopsis: Her hair was golden as a poplar leaf in October, and it fell loose and long over her back. Her eyes were as blue and soft as mountain violets. She was tall and slender, and sun-tanned to the warm color of a hickory nut. This was Deutsia Huntoon—the girl Dave Stoneking loved. Dave was a lumberjack, born and bred in the Virginia mountains, come to Cantwell County in Tennessee to cut timber with his partner Ben Dewberry. The boys had grown up together, cut timber together for seven years; and they were friends. Then Dave fell in love with Deutsia and Ben with Fern—the County nurse —and the friendship that should have blossomed into a foursome split like a tree hit by lightning. For Deutsia was a Melungeon—one of a strange clan of mountaineers, about whom nobody knew too much. The valley people believed all sorts of legends about the Melungeons, and would have nothing to do with them. But first love is stubborn, and young love is strong. Dave found a way to be with Deutsia—for nothing could part the two lovers except God. Jesse Stuart unfolds the story of this idyllic love that conquered hate and fear against the calm and beauty of the Tennessee mountains where Nature in all her glory heals the wounds inflicted by men. It is a rich and poignant story, full of local color and charming humorous touches. Daughter of the Legend is a master storyteller's finest, most lyric book, a book rewarding in its reading, and delightful in the memory.