I've been disappointed with Adriana Trigiani's last few novels (although her newest, Very Valentine, looks good), but her first, Big Stone Gap, is one of my favourites.
I've just heard Adriana interviewed on Radio 4's Loose Ends and she let slip some info about the forthcoming Big Stone Gap movie. First of all, Adriana is directing it herself (she is a seasoned movie director as well as a novelist). Ave Maria Mulligan will be played by Ashley Judd. The sexy Jack Mac will be played by the sexy Jeffrey Dean Morgan. And Whoopi Goldberg is taking on Fleeta.
Any Big Stone Gap fans? What do you think?
(If you haven't read Trigiani's Lucia, Lucia, run - don't walk - to the book shop! Or click here!)
Thanks for posting this.
I've never heard of this book or author. I'm a Jeffrey Dean Morgan fan, so if this is actual casting news, I'd like to find out more! I'll have to look into this book.
Posted by: Rhymes | 21 May 2009 at 07:09 PM
Didn't SJP buy the rights? Is she still involved? I loved BSG and its sequel (but didn't like the third one much)and thought Lucia, Lucia was brilliantly evocative and moving (although I have "issues" with the ending) but I don't like this new cover, which is neither here nor there but I thought I'd mention it. Anyway! Ashley Judd's not done much lately and she's a good actress (although she doesn't wow me) and JDM is great. Whoopi will be good if she reins herself in. I just never feel the film does the book justice, so I guess my expectations are pretty low... I'm interested, but not excited. x
Posted by: Diane | 26 May 2009 at 12:14 PM
The cover's hopeless, yes. And the movie's not showing on IMDb so I don't know about SJP. Maybe she's producing it?
Posted by: Keris | 26 May 2009 at 01:34 PM
Yes, I meant as a producer, but I wondered if she was still doing it, and if she'd originally wanted to star (wouldn't really suit her though, would it?)
Posted by: Diane | 26 May 2009 at 07:51 PM
Funnily enough, when I heard the Trigiani interview, I thought, 'Oh, so SJP's not going to be Ave Maria' and then I thought, 'She would be SO WRONG for that part!'
Posted by: Keris | 26 May 2009 at 08:14 PM
Have any of you all actually been to Big Stone Gap? Her books make the people who live in southwest Virginia sound like total hillbillies.
I live in Appalachia, which is just beside BSG and I have attempted to read Big Stone Gap and I cannot finish it. It makes me sick. It is a poorly written peice of incorrect trash.
Posted by: KTbeth2010 | 29 June 2009 at 12:41 AM
No, I haven't been there, KTbeth, but I don't think the books make the locals sound like hillbillies at all. In fact, reading this series improved my opinion of the region, which certainly hasn't got the best reputation (and gets a raw deal in much popular culture, I'm sure you'll agree).
Also, I don't know if you know (or care), but the author is actually from Big Stone Gap.
Posted by: Keris | 29 June 2009 at 02:19 PM
I knew she was from Big Stone, trust me she's one of out local "heroes."
She hasn't been back home to Big Stone Gap in a long time, as you can obviously tell from her books. She messes the geography of Wise County up. She puts a town called Coeburn in the Valley, when in reality its near Wise.
And yes I know where I'm from has a horrible reputation but these books certainly did not help it.
Posted by: KTbeth | 18 July 2009 at 09:30 PM
I found the books entertaining and as an Italian-American I found certain aspects relatable.
Posted by: Fara Storaci | 31 July 2009 at 08:01 AM
Thanks for your comment, Fara. Have you read any of Trigiani's other books? I'd highly recommend Lucia, Lucia.
Posted by: Keris | 31 July 2009 at 08:03 AM
I am a huge fan! of all her books! Looking forward to the film. She made me want to visit the area of Big Stone Gap. Looking forward to the newest Valentine book.
Posted by: hjparker | 19 December 2009 at 09:58 AM
Queen of the Big Time is the bomb
Posted by: Rusty | 01 February 2010 at 01:57 AM
Trigiani is the best! I have read them all (except her young readers' book, Viola in Reel Life) and yesterday I got to meet her on a book signing tour at the Bristol County Library in Bristol, VA. I am originally from NJ (Loved Rococo set there) and live in GA, and my college roommate (from Tazewell, VA) put me on to her works. Adriana was fantastic and so personable, and a laugh riot at her speaking engagement. I can't wait until the movie comes out!
By the way, I went to Big Stone Gap today, and it is a very quaint town...I don't think any of her writings make that area look like hillbillies....but what's wrong with being a hillbilly?
Posted by: Patty | 22 February 2010 at 12:01 AM
im from bsg and and now live in the richmond area. so glade that somthing good will be going on in town. im a hillbilly and proud of it. you go girl.
Posted by: jake | 08 March 2010 at 01:56 AM
My mom and dad were from the Big Stone Gap area (Dryden, VA) and our family spent many summers at my grandparents' farms there. I've read BSG & the sequel and thought they were both excellent. Yes, some of the characters sound a little contrived, but then, aren't we all? My mother and I visited Adriana's home in BSG 2 years ago, and yes, she did actually live there. It's quite lovely!
Posted by: Codysmom | 17 March 2010 at 10:51 PM
I've only read Big Stone Gap, the rest of her books I just couldn't seem to finish. I thought it was a little contrived in places but over all I loved it. And yes, I've been to Big Stone Gap many times. My mother was born there and we still visit several times a year. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie.
Posted by: Jenna | 18 March 2010 at 05:53 PM
Don't live there but have been there, and have not read the books. Let's just keep in mind that when authors develop characters, they have to make them a little beyond normal, usual, or accurately depicted. If the author exaggerated the characteristics of the people from the region, it was probably just an attempt to make the characters more memorable and not necessarily social commentary or a true indication of the actual people who live there. Let's face it, no matter where people live, they are a little boring, and taking people's actual characteristics as they are and putting them into a book is not likely to sell many copies.
Posted by: A Guy | 18 March 2010 at 08:20 PM
love the books!!! i look forward to the movie mab 4-5-10
Posted by: melodie botteron | 05 April 2010 at 02:49 PM
To the above poster, Trigiani regularly returns to Big Stone Gap, schedule permitting. Remember, she hasn't lived there since college, having as an adult moved to New York. Obviously, when she is on book tours she is gone for extended periods of time, especially international tours. But she returns to the Gap a few times a year whenever she can. The issues of geography are those in any work of fiction - sometimes reality has to shift a little in the translation. Her books are excellent, and very reminiscent of the Appalachian world. My husband is from just beyond the Gap and we spend a lot of time there. I think the books are a great introduction to some aspects of the culture for people who have only a faint idea as to what constitutes "Appalachia". They should certainly not be used as a substitute for actual research and visiting, but as a novel, I think Big Stone Gap is about as good as it gets.
Posted by: Melissa | 30 August 2010 at 04:12 PM